Lighting
GC Gilly: Bad lighting can ruin any scheme. Lighting is often forgotten but it shouldn’t be. Depending
on what you’re using the space for, a layered scheme is best, incorporating task and decorative
lighting. Have a lighting scheme in the outside space as well—lighting various features in the
garden looks very good at night.
SR Steve: Reflection in glazed walls is a consideration and can be used to enhance the feeling of depth.
Similarly, external lighting can be utilised to avoid the “black wall” effect at night.
HW Hannah: Having bi-fold doors fitted is going to create a huge amount of light and a sense of space.
Therefore, lighting is very much down to personal taste rather than a necessity. I favour spotlights
because they are minimal and do the job. However, it’s important to always add a lamp—whether a
table lamp or floor lamp—after dark they help to add a sense of ambience and warmth to a room.
R
Ramsey: Plan your lighting in advance and make sure you have the right amount of ceiling, task
and mood lighting. It’s very difficult to add lighting after the room is complete, so plan ahead.
EP Elaine: Keep lighting as simple as possible—i.e. stick to plain ceiling lights—as it’s all about the bi-
folds and the view.
RD Rebecca: You will hopefully have gained a lot of natural light but will still need good task lighting
for the evenings.
SB Steph: Lamps and candles work well for soft lighting to complement the natural light the bi-folds
provide.