Big light people? Or lamp people?

[greyshelving]

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!

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?

Hate the big light. Lamps all the way.

I’m very confused by all the ‘big light because it’s dark with lamps’ people. You know you’re allowed more than one? You can make the room as bright as you like with lamps, it’s just less harsh and more focussed on where you want it.

Big lamps here, except for when watching TV or reading in bed.

With a big lamp it's one switch by the door when entering or leaving a room. Can't be bothered with fumbling around in the dark to find switches on lamps or walking in darkness to exit the room after switching them off.

Lamps. Can't even think that the big light in the lounge has ever been switched on unless by accident!

Lamps all the way!

We have remote switches for all our lamps it saves finding switches/sockets. Amazon and B&Q sell them fairly cheap.

Lamps- but mostly because there are no big lights, whoever lived here before must have been so against big lights that they took them all out.
We were told the wiring is there if we want to put some in but have never bothered

At this time of year the more light the better as low lighting makes me sleepy. So we have big lights with daylight bulbs in.

None of us sit and watch TV for very long (unlike my parents who are welded to their sofa from 6pm till bedtime). DCs might be reading or doing art projects which is a lot easier to do with bright clear lighting.

Agree with this. My parents always had lamps when I was growing up and one of the nice things about moving out was getting proper lighting!

Big light but actually I’d prefer all the lights… unless people are coming round and I can’t be arsed dusting in which case it’s a lamp 😂

Has to be big light with a bright lightbulb. I can't relax unless i can see properly. lamps, even with bright bulbs just don’t illuminate fully. DH used to watch the TV in the dark when I first met him, I honestly don’t think our relationship would have lasted if he hadn’t let me start putting the big light on. My Mum loves lamps, using the big light was one of the best things about having my own home!

Lamp people.
But announce "put the big light on" when required to.
As per my culture.

Big light. DP is a lamp person. This is probably our most frequent disagreement. He goes on about atmosphere and subtle shading but my favourite kind of atmosphere is being able to see what I'm doing.

@gannett 😆 are you me?

My Dad was definitely a ‘big light’ person, even to the extent of having a massive fluorescent tube in the sitting room. We lived at the top of a hill and had a big bay window - the house looked like a beacon.
My sister & I have both reacted against it and prefer lamps - I remember my dad in my sister’s sitting room muttering “500 watts in here and I can’t read the newspaper”.

I'm a lamp person. My DH is a bright light person. Interestingly my DH is the neurodivergent one. I always think it would normally be the other way round with our preferences!

My living room doesn't HAVE a big light! The people who lived here before were big fans of the 'warm, subdued wall lamp' ambience. So now if I drop anything after dark I have to pat down the rug or crawl around with my phone torch.

It's a tiny old cottage, so the lighting is in keeping and looks wonderful. Until you drop that drawing pin...

Big light, the brighter the better. Lamps would just be clutter in my house. Fortunately, DH and I are compatible in this regard.

I like the big light and DH prefers lamps.

I don't think I know anyone other than my dad who has the big light on. Everyone else prefers lamps, even if they're the same wattage as the big light. Dh prefers lamps but isn't bothered about the fairy lights and candles.

In the bedroom, lamps only except cleaning or finding things. Otherwise it depends, my new flat actually doesn't have an overhead light in the living room and I seem to be coping, it's not quite right though

Big light is only for finding things. Otherwise always lamp.

Big light that isn't very bright. I have a very country cottage cozy and soft vibe home so I haven't gone for bright main lights. It's a bit like living with candle light in my home at the moment.

Lamps. Big light never goes on unless it's by accident, in which case everyone shrieks dramatically and shields their eyes.

I once went to look at a house that had many strange/unrecognisable sockets. Estate agent explained they were for lamps! I guess they were all grouped so that the owners didn't have to go around turning fourteen separate lights on in each room.

My preference as well.