The 5-7 lighting rule is the easiest way to achieve a layered lighting scheme in your home – ‘It creates a much warmer, more inviting environment’
Your home might have the wrong amount of lighting – this is the rule interior experts swear by to get it right
In the last few years, lamps and lighting in general have become incredibly popular. While interior designers and other interior experts have always known about the power of lighting, recently, most people have discovered how the ambiance of a room can be changed with the right (or wrong) lighting. Layered lighting schemes are where it’s at and the 5-7 lighting rule is the expert-approved tool to help you achieve it in your home.
Layered lighting is not only the biggest lighting trend of the moment, it’s also a timeless lighting idea for bedrooms, living rooms and other rooms, creating a cosy and inviting space. ‘One of the most common lighting mistakes is relying on a single central fitting to illuminate an entire room,’ explains Jo Plant, chief creative officer at Pooky. ‘Layered lighting creates a much warmer, more inviting environment and allows you to adapt the mood of a space throughout the day. At Pooky, we’re strong advocates of layered lighting and would recommend this approach to anyone looking to create a comfortable, well-designed home.’
And the 5-7 lighting rule is an easy template to apply and follow when creating a layered lighting scheme in most rooms, working especially well for living room lighting ideas and in bedrooms, too. ‘It’s important to consider the scale of the space,’ says Mara Rypacek Miller, founder of Industville.
‘Smaller rooms, such as cloakrooms, are generally not suited to more than two to three light sources as the result would be too bright and cluttered. Instead, the 5-7 rule works best in social and relaxing settings such as living rooms, bedrooms and open-plan areas, where a cosy and inviting atmosphere is desired.’
What’s the 5-7 lighting rule?
The 5-7 lighting rule is very simple. In essence, it dictates that every room should have between five and seven sources of light from various lamps and light fixtures. And it encourages to stop relying solely on the ‘big light’.
‘The 5-7 rule is a simple yet effective approach that focuses on creating a lighting scheme that feels balanced and atmospheric rather than overly dependent on one dominant central light,’ explains Julian Page, head of design at BHS. ‘In practice, this means making sure that each room has between five and seven different light sources which are of varying strengths, heights, designs, and placements.’
This approach is great both for creating a lovely atmosphere and for practicality as it offers more flexibility. ‘Layer lighting throughout the space using a combination of ambient, task and accent lighting. This might include ceiling lights, table lamps, floor lamps, wall lights and decorative lighting, all working together to create depth, atmosphere and flexibility, allowing you to switch between brighter functional lighting and a softer, more atmospheric glow depending on the occasion,’ Jo at Pooky says.
My top picks for a layered lighting scheme
Even though the big ceiling light is not all that popular at the moment, it's still an important part of any lighting scheme. Especially when it looks as good as Next's art deco-style Messina light. And it comes as a pendant, too.
If you have wall art in your space (as is recommended) then highlighting it with a picture light placed on the wall just above artwork is perfect. And this bestselling Amazon design is rechargeable and comes with a remote control for easy use.
Incorporating a floor lamp is ideal especially in a living room but it can also work in a bedroom. It works well to add dimension with a new level of height. And this totem-style paper lantern floor lamp is also great for adding texture and interest to the room.
I'm a big fan of H&M table lamps and I've been into the wired table lamp version of this one for a while now. But I just recently came across this rechargeable take on the look which is very handy for those corners without a socket nearby.
The wiggle lamp trend is not going anywhere anytime soon. Instead, it's spreading even to the likes of wall lights as seen on this pretty and playful Habitat design that provides not one but two lights in one.
This sweet rattan table lamp from The White Company is the perfect way to inject some texture into a room, as well as some diffused lighting on a side or a bedside table. And it's currently 30% off!
‘It’s less about hitting a specific number and more about ensuring that a room has a balanced mix of ambient, task and accent lighting to create warmth, depth and character,’ Jo at Pooky says. Even in smaller spaces that don’t require as many as five to seven sources of light, a layered lighting scheme is desirable, just with fewer lamps.
The 5-7 lighting rule is a great guide to getting your home’s lighting right. And with time, you won’t even have to think about the rule – it will become intuitive.
