Smart tips on buying chandeliers and other lighting fixtures for your house

When you're out buying one, don't be over-obsessed with utility; pick up a piece that has aesthetic appeal and gels with the living area or bedroom

When you're buying a chandelier, you aren't just buying a lighting fixture. "You are actually acquiring a jewel, an artwork, a sculpture," says Regis Mathieu, light designer and director at French brand Mathieu Lustrerie, and an authority on chandeliers. Mathieu, who has worked on the grand restoration of France's iconic Palace of Versailles and the residences of royal families in the Middle East and Asia, redefines the very concept of lighting. He says one must not look so much for utilitarian value, or how powerful the light is, but must explore the aethestic value of the item one has set one's eyes on. “Once you know that your chandelier is not a mere light, you can give it the place it deserves, the centre of your house, where you friends, family and guests can enjoy it with you. Because whatever is not shared is lost forever,” says Mathieu.

Every house narrates a tale and lights add to that story. “I personally believe that your home is an extension of your personality, and every decor, especially the lights, the hues, the tints must reflect your true self," says designer Aashna Khurana, Creative Director at Karma Lakelands. Lights help weave the story that inhabitants desire to tell about themselves or home. “I believe in syncing lights with the theme, for instance, if the patrons envision their home with a theme as natural as the rawness of forest or the blues of raindrop, or depths of water I'll pick the lights and their moods accordingly,” Khurana adds.

Choosing the right piece

People are more used to artificial lighting now than ever before, as a great deal of time is spent indoors. How does one choose the right kind for one’s home? “The right lighting for a space really depends on the space itself,” says a spokesperson from Klove, “How much natural light is available, the size of the space, the furniture and other pieces that will be a part of the room are some of the many factors that come into play.”

The market is flooded with a vast range of options in wall and ceiling lights, pendants and chandeliers but one needs discretion to see what goes where. For instance, only a massive hall and tall ceiling can do justice to a full-fledged chandelier. "But if you don’t have the required height for a chandelier, and yet want the fixture to stand out, you can use a semi-flush mount," says Sonal Tayal, Head of Design and Sales Operations at Livspace. “Whereas pendant lights are a great option to consider to add soft elegant illumination to your space without overwhelming the interiors. They can also be used over dining tables, kitchen islands, stairwells and work as perfect spotlights over these functional spaces.” 

Then there are flush lamps which are fixtures that hang flat on the ceiling, making them ideal for low-ceiling homes. They spread light over a large area, and are a good pick if you want ambient light at home.

When you want a piece of decor to be the hero, track lights are a popular choice to add a decorative ambience to a region of your home. They work well in the living room, and hallways to bring out the beauty of your exhibits. If you want to highlight a wall or a specific section of your home, you can always opt for these lights. But the best are recessed lamps, a kind of a hidden light, usually installed behind the false ceiling. Thus, the source of light is not visible making it a softer lighting option for your home.

A subtle interplay of natural and artificial light creates a great impact in any living space. Picture courtesy: Aashna Khurana

Latest trends 

Even though lights come in traditional, modern and contemporary forms, what’s trending is minimalism. According to Vishal Singh, Founder & Managing Director, Vizion Lighting Pvt Ltd, “Thanks to its streamlined styling and timeless appeal, the minimalistic design style has inspired stylish lighting trends for just about every room in any home. Industrial themed lights are also making a comeback in a sleeker look, with people opting for richer tones and finishes for their 21st century decor.” There is an increased demand for automation and  smart lighting controls that assist users with regulating light and creating ideal illumination levels. Automation is steadily taking over every aspect of lighting solutions with customers increasingly opting for flexibility — especially for enhanced comfort and energy-efficiency.

Blown glass pendants are a rage. There are lots of decor trends that tend to come and go kind of quickly, but blown glass isn't one of them, says Shivangi Shah, Founder & Creative Head, Hive Home, “An amalgamation of two very different materials like brass and glass, the lighting effect you get from pairing an interesting looking pendant with light brings a touch or modern artistry to space.”

The emotional aspect of lighting

Lighting also has significant cognitive and emotional effects. Appropriate amount of light improves mood and energy levels, while poor lighting contributes to deficiencies and unease in the body, says Alok Hada, Director, Anusha Technovision Pvt Ltd, “Even the colour and tone of lights evokes different cognitive responses and we have the concept of “Human Centric Lighting”, wherein the lighting mimics the colour temperature of the daylight available outdoors as daylight represents the light best suited for health.” For example, warm yellow lights make the environment feel more welcoming and relaxing, while cooler blue-white lights make the environment more stimulating.

In fact, there is intense research that certain kind of lighting acts as therapy for those especially suffering from mental disorders. Architect Priyamwada Singh, founder Common Ground Practice (CGP) cites an instance of a luxury home she was doing where the man of the house had Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), could not focus so well and so in his study space they put lighting attuned to his condition. In fact all all big brands have a special line of such lighting solutions nowadays, says Singh.

It is important to choose the right temperature of light. Says Nikunj Shah, Director- Sources Unlimited, a store of luxury furniture, lighting and accessories, “We have a broad spectrum of lighting available on a band of 2,500 to 6,500 Kelvin. Typically we recommend using 2,500 warm white light for most areas barring kitchen and study room where a 4,000 calvin neutral white is advisable.” White has variations depending upon the temperature, says Ruchi Mishra DGM Architect, REPL (Rudrabhishek Enterprises Ltd.), “Soft white should be used in bedrooms as they give a bit cozy feel. Bright white should be used in areas like kitchen, reading rooms etc. Warm white gives a little yellowish white and can be used in bathrooms. Daylight gives a blueish tone and can be used in dressing room or the areas where detailing.” Talk about colour, LED bulbs are capable of displaying an impressive colour range, from purple to red, apart from the spectrum of whites and yellows.

What it costs to light up your home

According to Mohit Hajela, Group Head Business Development, Jaquar Group, “We cater to consumers across segments – from value offerings to premium and luxury clientele. In every category be it ceiling or wall light, you can go from a few thousands to a few lakhs. The lowest estimate for lighting a 3BHK of 1,500 sq ft is Rs 1.5 lakh. The minimum that landscaping a 300 sq ft lawn will cost is Rs 30,000. For outdoor lighting, balcony and pathways, one must set aside Rs one lakh but a chandelier can cost just about anything.”

Price varies across a wide spectrum and there are way too many products in just one category. Take the case of lamps. Says Sachin Gupta of Beyond Designs, “There can be a sleek column lamp if you are placing it in a minimal contemporary space, or a decorative one for a classic ambience. However, a grand, classic crystal lamp can also be used in a modern home just to offer a sense of extravagance. It is all about how you mix the various features.” The size and shape of the base and the lamp shade should be proportionate to the space it is occupying.

Once you decide whether you need the light to just serve an aesthetic purpose or also as an accent or task light, then you can make an informed decision about what kind of lamp to buy. A lamp can be the best ornament that beautifies your table tops while also performing a practical function. Choose a style that complements your interiors, says the spokesperson.  

Finally, as Shah puts it, light is a silent actor in a space that you will be sensing more than seeing.

What it would typically cost you to light up your space
Fixture	Price range (Rs)
Ceiling light

4,000-40,000

Wall light 

35,000-3,00,000

Light pendant 

60,000-2,00,000

Chandelier

1.5-40 lakh

Table lamps 

35,000-4,00,000

Floor lamps

80,000-4,00,000

Outdoor wall light 

10,000-35,000

Outdoor battery operated lamps

15,000-2,00,000 Source: Sources Unlimited, a store of luxury furniture, lights, accessories