Lighting

Most rooms benefit from a mix of three layers: ambient lighting for general illumination (ceiling lights, downlights), task lighting for specific activities (reading, cooking, grooming), and accent lighting for mood or feature highlighting (wall lights, pendants, LED strips). Relying on a single ceiling fixture in any room tends to create flat, shadowed lighting rather than a layered, comfortable result. Bathrooms and kitchens usually need all three layers; living and bedrooms can often get by with ambient plus one or two task or accent pieces.

A pendant hangs from the ceiling on a cord, chain or rod and is typically used over a dining table, kitchen island or vanity for focused downward light. A wall light is fixed directly to the wall and is more commonly used for ambient or accent lighting in hallways, stairwells, living spaces and beside a bathroom mirror. The two aren't interchangeable in most rooms, a pendant needs ceiling clearance and a central point above the surface it's lighting, while a wall light needs a wired wall position. The pendant lights and wall lights collections cover each in more detail.

Any light installed in or near a wet area in Australia must meet the IP (Ingress Protection) rating required by AS/NZS 3000 for that specific zone, IP65 or higher inside a shower or bath zone, IP44 within 0.6m of a bath or shower, and standard IP20 lights are fine everywhere else in a dry room. Outdoor lights need a rating suited to direct weather exposure, generally IP44 minimum for a covered area and higher for anything exposed to rain. See bathroom lighting for zone-specific detail.

Warm white (2700K to 3000K) suits living areas, bedrooms and anywhere meant to feel relaxed, since it's closer to traditional incandescent light. Neutral white (3500K to 4000K) works well in kitchens, bathrooms and other task-heavy spaces where accurate colour rendering matters. Cool daylight (5000K and above) is generally reserved for garages, workshops or outdoor security lighting, since it can feel harsh and clinical in living spaces.

For most households, yes. LED fixtures use significantly less energy than halogen for the same light output, run cooler, and last considerably longer before needing replacement, which matters for fittings in hard-to-reach spots like high ceilings. They're also available in the full range of colour temperatures and are commonly dimmer-compatible, provided the dimmer switch itself is rated for LED loads rather than older halogen-only dimmers.

No, not in Australia. Any electrical work, including installing a new light fitting, running a new circuit or adding a new switch position, must be carried out by a licensed electrician. This applies across the home, not just wet areas, and a Certificate of Compliance should be issued after the work is done. Swapping a globe or a lampshade on an existing fitting is fine without an electrician; changing or adding fittings is not.