Interior designer Natalie Jahangiri is one of Ideal Home’s new Open House contributors, sharing her ideas on decorating a home that fits a busy family life while still sticking to your aesthetic values. Check out the rest of his articles here.
You know that moment when you go to a restaurant for date night; The babysitter’s home, you’ve really put on makeup, you’re ready to have a big glass of wine…and then you’re so radiant Lighting Does he want to leave you right away? I look at Tom, he looks at me and I give him the look where he knows we haven’t stopped at all.
I feel the same way about harsh lighting at home. Nothing kills an atmosphere faster. So please, for the love of the atmosphere, don’t invite me if big light is your only option.
The way I see lighting (whether at home or in a great cocktail bar) should set the tone. I wanted it to feel intimate, atmospheric and cocooning. Yes, lighting needs to be practical, but it should also create a sense of warmth while adding depth and detail that shape the mood of the room.
Lighting and fine details are key to shaping a space, especially layered lighting in the kitchen. Instead of relying on an overall light source, think of the room in zones. With the kitchen, while being a practical space, it’s also a central place where so much of everyday life happens…cooking, dining, entertaining, homework, late-night gossip (and possibly even a little kitchen dancing!).
It is multi-functional and therefore lighting needs to be carefully thought out and should flex with the needs throughout the day and time of year. Done well, it completely changes how a space feels.
(Image credit: Natalie Jahangiri)
Here’s how I layered the lighting in my kitchen for every occasion
When renovating our kitchen, I thought about lighting… a lot (maybe too much). The old space was filled with harsh spotlights, so getting the new scheme right became a huge part of the design process.
I wanted it to feel softer, more considered and adaptable to how we actually use the room every day. So here’s how I used layered lighting to completely change the feel of the space.
Around the kitchen with Industville
When it came to the kitchen, I wanted to introduce another layer of texture, something that allowed for the heritage feel of the cabinets, while still sitting beautifully next to the statement worktop and industrial pipes that run our electrics through (read more. Here it is).
So I turned to IndustvilleWho has a brilliant collection of contemporary lighting. I knew their design would fit perfectly into my scheme, adding contrast through a mix of brass and glass finishes.
Founded in 2013 by Mara Rypacek Miller, the brand was born out of a desire to make beautifully designed lighting more accessible. Inspired by vintage industrial style and European flea-market finds, Industville has become known for its timeless silhouettes, rich finishes and statement pieces that bring warmth and character to modern interiors.
(Image credit: Natalie Jahangiri)
I’m not a fan of everything matching perfectly, so I opted out Noho pleated metal wall light Above the splashback and Ribbed glass dome pendants over the island. The pleated details in both styles tie them together, just enough to feel cohesive without everything feeling too coordinated.
In the main kitchen area, I also married wall and pendant lighting with a few spots (mainly for Tom, I can honestly say I never turned on the spots), strip lighting that is incorporated into the worktop dresser units and is cordless. Rechargeable table lamp Dotted throughout the space, the lighting creates plenty of flexibility to change depending on the mood.
In the dining room with spark and bell
I wanted a light that would not only cast a beautiful glow on the dining table, but also act as a real focal point in the space itself… sculptural enough to hold its own against the asymmetrical window behind it.
Enter Florence Chandelier by Spark & BellMade from recycled plastic and suspended from a single multi-drop ceiling rose, it can be fully customized from the cord length and color to the metal finish, giving it a more personalized feel to the room.
Spark and Bell is a really interesting company. Founded in Brighton in 2015 by former fine art photographer Emer Gillespie, Spark & Bell is known for its beautifully handcrafted lighting and relaxed, collaborative approach. The family-run brand creates made-to-order for both homes and commercial spaces, working with designers to create lighting that feels personal, thoughtful and a little different.
(Image credit: Natalie Jahangiri)
I love the statement piece, the slight nod to the flower petal shape, the sustainability aspect (made from recycled plastic) and how it separates the space in the kitchen itself. It’s one of the first things you see when you look down a room, making it the perfect focal point against the other design details in the space.
Like an island light, because this light is dim, I can easily change the mood in the room, keeping things soft and ambient when hosting a dinner party, or turning up the brightness when the table is pushed back and the kids use the space to play.
I have attached the pendant light to another USB rechargeable table lamp On the table and nearby floor lamps to create a layered scheme that gives the space a warm, light atmosphere.
(Image credit: Natalie Jahangiri)
Kids Zone with Dowsing and Reynolds
When it came to the children’s area, I wanted the lighting to work hard to ensure that the space would be used in a variety of ways, from cozy TV time and craft making to disco dancing and mealtimes. With the help of Dowsing & Reynolds, I replaced the standard flush spotlights Landmarks with, to create more deliberate lighting Bramley wall light with flute shade (which are dimmable wall lights) to bring a soft, comfortable feel when needed.
(Image credit: Natalie Jahangiri)
Dowsing & Reynolds was founded in Yorkshire in 2012 by husband and wife duo James Dowsing-Reynolds and Ellie Dowsing-Reynolds. What James started experimenting with handmade concrete lighting and vintage style bulbs quickly evolved into a brand known for its statement lighting, hardware and home decor items. The brand has since become known for its playful approach to interiors, mixing industrial influences with warm, characterful designs.
What I especially like is the glass shade on the wall light. The fluted shape has the prettiest shadow underneath, and because it’s on a dimmer switch it creates a softer, more moody glow. Since this is the darkest area of the room, it is a light that we use every day. We also used the same lighting in the bar area, which gives a wonderful warmth to the shelves below.
Creating mood through lighting
Layered lighting is one thing I will always advocate in the kitchen (and most social areas of the home). Instead of relying on one overhead source, think in zones and mix practical lighting with lighter, more atmospheric touches.
Use focused task lighting where you prepare and cook, add dimmable pendants or wall lights for warmth, and incorporate subtle details like cabinet lighting or rechargeable lamps to lighten the mood.
(Image credit: Natalie Jahangiri)
and please, Please Avoid the endless runways of harsh spotlights!! A few carefully placed spots/downlights will always look more considered and elevated.
The kitchen works hard as a space for cooking, entertaining and everyday life, so your lighting should be flexible enough to change with it.
