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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:
WeeOrcadian · 23/12/2023 18:17

Lamp - downstairs

But

I crochet in bed while crocheting so wear a head torch or neck torch

DH prefers big light and I hate it

Mummyofthewildones · 23/12/2023 18:19

I'm a big light person. Hate sitting in the dark and even worse if the TV is on I can't bear watching it in a dingy room!

RafaistheKingofClay · 23/12/2023 18:20

Big light. My parents are lamp people. Looking forward to being able to see properly when I get home.

Do like lamp and candles to read/watch tv to in bed though.

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Home improvement
Simonjt · 23/12/2023 18:24

Cashyblonde · 23/12/2023 18:15

Gosh, I grew up in a home where bright overhead lights were the thing. And a fringed standard lamp. There was no atmosphere or cosiness. A school friend had one of those lights you pull down over the dining table and I remember admiring it. Friend's mum was viewed as being quite louche (she was a perfectly normal and lovely woman but the judgement was strong from the other parents). The houses were identical, but my house was boring and friend's house was thrilling and sexy.

I'm going to be moving house and furnishing my own house for the first time. I want sofa tables at the end of each sofa with large lamps on each one. I can't find suitable tables anywhere. They are a must! I need them so I can be all louche with my low lighting.

PS where can I buy lamps now BHS has gone? I am definitely at the BHS end of the market.

Dunelm? Ikea if you have one fairly local.

TiredOfSayingItAgain · 23/12/2023 18:26

We never use the big light. We've got a floor-standing lamp, wall lights, and a table lamp.

Hazey19 · 23/12/2023 18:27

Lamps 100%

nokidshere · 23/12/2023 18:27

Lamps here. Big light only for tasks or looking for stuff.

Theimpossiblegirl · 23/12/2023 18:33

I'm a lamps and candles person.

BatshitCrazyWoman · 23/12/2023 20:04

Lamps, or candles and fairy lights here. Or just the Christmas tree lights if I'm watching a film on TV

Big light in the bedroom when I'm taking my contact lenses out! Then lamp, or just my Kindle after that

ChristmasEvemaddness · 23/12/2023 20:06

Lamp

Deadringer · 23/12/2023 20:09

I only use the big light for reading. I like the concept of lamps, but the places I want/need to put them never seems to be near a socket, or they are awkward to switch on/off, so I usually use my side lights which give just the right amount of light/ambience.

Toddlerteaplease · 23/12/2023 20:55

Big light! My best friend, is a lamp person. I hate it. The brighter the better for me!

fussychica · 23/12/2023 22:23

Lamp people here. Hate the big light on, only turned on to find things.

Rickenbackergoodgrief · 23/12/2023 23:47

We have the big lights on, but with daylight bulbs in them.

christmaspawpaws · 24/12/2023 03:11

Lamp for the living room, big lights for the kitchen so I can see
I don't open my kitchen blind so it doesn't have any natural light unfortunately

It's not dark though, this is just with a lamp on and a hallway light

Ambi · 24/12/2023 05:33

We don't have a big light in our living room. There wasn't one when we moved in and decided not to fit one. It's a big lounge diner with drop down pendant lights at the dining table, 2 table lamps and 2 floor lamps that are all smart bulbs so they can be as bright or dull as the occasion suits. Movie night is one lamp on very low, or with visitors round we'll have all lamps on quite bright. It is so changeable, I love it.

FindingMeno · 24/12/2023 05:41

Usually lamps if relaxing and big light if busy.
I love mornings when it's just got light to have no artificial lighting when I'm just sitting having my coffee. It's a lovely gentle start to the day.

BlissfullyIgnorant · 24/12/2023 05:58

I don't even have a big light in my living room. I have ceiling lights at the edges which are angled towards the walls and I love it! We also have lamps and there are candles in the fireplace which we light if we feel snuggy or have guests.
Nobody has noticed the lack of big light unless I say something about it which I think is a bit amusing.
Definitely lamp people but DP always puts the big kitchen lights on which makes me feel like I'm having a brain scan they're so bright

ChocolateCakeOverspill · 24/12/2023 11:16

cardibach · 23/12/2023 12:49

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.

Where I want it is overhead in the middle of the room, a bright bulb with one button to turn it on and off. Lamps are faffy, and unless you have really bright bulbs in them they don’t give enough light. I’ve never been somewhere with lamps which doesn’t look dingy.

ChocolateCakeOverspill · 24/12/2023 11:18

christmaspawpaws · 24/12/2023 03:11

Lamp for the living room, big lights for the kitchen so I can see
I don't open my kitchen blind so it doesn't have any natural light unfortunately

It's not dark though, this is just with a lamp on and a hallway light

That looks really dark to me. I could do anything except watch TV in that room (I certainly couldn’t eat in that level of light).

Janieforever · 24/12/2023 11:22

I find this a curious thing too, but there is a category you are missing.

i am a lamp person.
my best friend is a big light person.
my other friend is a no light person. That’s the third category, she sits there in the dark watching tv. And she does it with guests staying, so you can’t even see each other. If I put the light on, she switches it off. Says it’s too bright.

a few times she’s come to my house when we have been out, so basically letting herself in and waiting for us. I leave the lamps on for her. She switches them off and sits there in the dark watching tv. It’s not an eyesight thing, or a financial thing.

Polis · 24/12/2023 11:29

Where I want it is overhead in the middle of the room, a bright bulb with one button to turn it on and off. Lamps are faffy

You can wire lamps to one switch. We don’t have them like that but my parents do.

Switchandflake · 24/12/2023 22:24

Polis · 24/12/2023 11:29

Where I want it is overhead in the middle of the room, a bright bulb with one button to turn it on and off. Lamps are faffy

You can wire lamps to one switch. We don’t have them like that but my parents do.

Yes, we have master switches in all of our rooms so that all the lamps can go on and off with a single flick. It’s fantastic!

CharlottePimpernel · 24/12/2023 22:28

Lamp, but it's a nice bright one with two bits - one big one little, and you can move the little one to point it at things. It's great for knitting.

DelilahBucket · 24/12/2023 22:33

Always a lamp. Prior to splitting with the ex over 13 years ago, it was always the big light because that was what he wanted and the house was never made a home. The day he left I bought myself a lamp. Along with a matching rug, some decorative vases and a big picture for the wall!
I think the dim lighting makes you more ready for bed.

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