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Original poster

Big light people? Or lamp people?

151 replies

greyshelving · 23/12/2023 10:14

Had a few bizarre discussions on this subject recently and thought I'd ask the peoples of Mumsnet.

Are you a 'big light' person or a lamps person?

For context, one of the neighbours opposite has a big bay window so it's possible to easily see the TV on the wall and the big overhead light which is always on at night.

Me, I can't seem to relax if the 'big light' is on and prefer soft, subdued light (lamps etc). In our house 'the big light' only goes on if you've lost an earring! Grin

One of my friends swears it's a male/female thing and in her view, women like atmospheric lighting and men just see lighting as a functional way to see and do things. I don't think you can reduce it to such stereotypes. To me, it's basically just a personal preference.

So, big light or lamps? Which are you?

OP posts:
KnowThyself · 23/12/2023 10:33

At night I prefer darkness, if the TV is on that is enough for me or its lamp if light is required. DH ponders is I’m a vampire, he would happily have the big light on. I hiss at him if he puts the big light on. He does it occasionally for the reaction.

FrangipaniBlue · 23/12/2023 10:36

The big light only goes on for a big job..... like DH currently building my new office furniture 😂

Soozikinzii · 23/12/2023 10:37

Lamps 100%

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Reallybadidea · 23/12/2023 10:37

Big lights on everywhere during the day, I absolutely hate it being gloomy inside as well as outside at this time of year.

Once it's dark outside and I'm sitting down relaxing then lamps are much nicer. I even have our bedside lights timed to turn on before we go to bed so I don't need to turn the main lights on. And our en suite has dimmable lights around the mirror to use when getting ready for bed.

ActuallyChristmas · 23/12/2023 10:38

CrispsandCheeseSandwich · 23/12/2023 10:30

Depends on the room. We don't have lamps in our dining room for example. Bedroom is definitely lamp, living room is probably a mix depending on what we're doing.

I don't think I've ever seen the big light on in my parents' living room. They are definitely lamp people.

Our dining room needs both lamps and main lights on for eating but we just have the lamps on if anyone is working or chilling in there

DinosaurOfFire · 23/12/2023 10:39

Always the big light. Lamps are only for nightlights, they just cast too many shadows and are too dim. I like the equivalent of 100w bulbs, with a neutral or cool white light.

lartiun · 23/12/2023 10:40

Big light! We have lots of spotlights in the ceiling rather than single bulbs and DH is the only one tall enough to change them. It takes months for him to do it as he doesn't mind the dim light. It drives me mad as I can't see what's going on. We don't have lamps in the house except a bright desk lamp, I don't see the point of getting more lights that take up floor and table space with switches in awkward places and different types of bulbs to keep changing.

BlueberryVelvet · 23/12/2023 10:41

Lamps.

We like our circadian rhythms to be correct.

OldTinHat · 23/12/2023 10:42

Lamps. Or, in my case, Hue lighting which can be dimmed or have fancy colour combinations. I'm sure my neighbours must think I earn money on the side when the lights alternate through shades of red and pink!

If I'm going out, though, it has to be a big light so I can check the polyfilla on my face has set and make up isn't halfway down my cheeks. (Face cheeks that is!)

TisTheDarnSeason · 23/12/2023 10:43

Lamp people. The Big Light is just all kinds of no. If DH switches the BL on in our bedroom it actually makes me feel mildly murderous.

aintnospringchicken · 23/12/2023 10:44

Definitely lamps.

Original poster
greyshelving · 23/12/2023 10:46

We once hired a holiday cottage for a family event which wasn't too far away from where we lived. When I got to the cottage and discovered the living room didn't have any lamps, I nipped home and got some!

OP posts:
Switchandflake · 23/12/2023 10:46

Lamps!

AppleDumplingWithCustard · 23/12/2023 10:47

Lamps most definitely.

Prawncow · 23/12/2023 10:48

Lamps.

DilemmaDelilah · 23/12/2023 10:50

Lamps all the way.... but lots of them! Big lights only for when extra light is needed and switched off as soon as not needed.

ebts · 23/12/2023 10:50

Big light and lamps. I have poor eyesight.

MrsMoastyToasty · 23/12/2023 10:52

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4329426

I have a foot in both camps. Big light until I've cleared away the dinner things then lamps until bedtime. I have one of these for doing stuff that needs task lighting like knitting

Daisies12 · 23/12/2023 10:54

Always lamp. Never put top lights on apart from bathroom and kitchen

YetAnotherSpartacus · 23/12/2023 10:56

I like the dark. I have only one dim lamp.

TheKnittedCharacter · 23/12/2023 10:56

We don’t even have a ‘big light’ in any room of the house. Had them all removed when we first lived here.

MulledWineBeMine · 23/12/2023 10:58

PrincessHoneysuckle · 23/12/2023 10:21

I cannot stand the big light on!
We watch TV with no light and eat with lamps

@PrincessHoneysuckle

i find cutlery so much easier!

ArchetypalBusyMum · 23/12/2023 10:58

Big light usually.
DH prefers lamp atmospheric.

ChocolateCakeOverspill · 23/12/2023 10:59

Big light all the way. Can’t see a fecking thing in lamp light.

Unfortunately DH is a lamp person so we compromise and if we’re eating (or anything else which require you to actually see something) it’s big light and then lamps for TV watching.

MulledWineBeMine · 23/12/2023 10:59

Big Light.

I love it with just the lamps on, but I can't DO anything, so it just frustrates me!