Lighting ideas

[plus3]

We recently moved house & have no lamp shades, ceiling lights etc in any of our rooms- every room just has a light bulb hanging from the ceiling [embarrassed]

We seem to be paralysed by indecision - I'm not sure what I want in what room - lamp shade for hall, up lighters for sitting room etc.

Where do I start?

Why not start by buying a load of those paper lantern ones. They might not be your first choice but they will diffuse the harsh light of a bare bulb and give you time to think about what you really want.

No...I think I just need to look at lots of different options. I will know the right light when I see it!

You will indeed, I was thinking in the short term as they are cheap and allow you time to consider what you really want without making expensive mistakes. It's so easy to get carried away with ideas.

The problem with buying cheap lanterns is that they will stay longer than they should ....the bare lightbulbs are an incentive to get it sorted!

Low ceilings require uplighters or fixed lighting. Have you looked in BHS?

Well, I'm with upupupandaway. Paper shades in the interim give you leisure to make the right decision for each room once you've got a feel for the house. Also because I would rather walk round in darkness than switch on a light that didn't have a shade on it.

We're struggling with this too. We have to get 3 light fittings and one pair is for a double reception room. DH and I have different ideas though- I wanted to get period looking ones as it's an edwardian house, whereas DH likes the vintage industrial look. They are so expensive though I'm finding it hard to commit!

I'd just have paper lantern shades full stop but definitely agree that bare bulbs would be horrible

Rooms evolve, you cannot pluck ides from nowhere or a design magazine. Lighting isn't the be all and end all. Just chill out and your house will come together in it's own time.