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23rd June 2020

AFFORDABLE LIGHTING: THE BRANDS TO KNOW

Interiors - By Alexandra Stedman

Longer Read

Light: Marks & Spencer (sold out). Photograph: Christopher O’Donnell. This post contains some affiliate links.

When I first started decorating, there really weren’t many affordable lighting brands around – my go-tos would be BHS or Ikea. Fast forward to now and I’ve really noticed a shift and there are loads of amazing affordable High Street to mid options and I had so many recommendations on stories which I’ve added to my own research to do a little update here. I cannot vouch for all of these brands individually but these are from research and recommendations, and ‘affordable’ is always a relative term – I am looking for stylish homewares that don’t cost the earth, and it’s always worth adding that upcycling and secondhand is worth a look, too!

Wall lights: Creative Cables ( few years ago so cannot find the exact link sadly)

TIP #1: Do try and research and ask around before ordering anything new on the internet, as it is so easy to get pulled in by a chic website and prices. And don’t order from Litfad, all I can say is that the Trustpilot reviews are true.

TIP #2: It sounds obvious but always check what is included with your purchase, and make a note of bulbs needed (and whether they’re easy to get hold of!). If you’re buying online it makes sense to try and buy bulbs at the same time if you can to save on shipping. Or we generally go to Screwfix or B&Q and always use LED bulbs for energy efficiency.


Houseof

Pendant light: £60, Houseof

With 20 years of experience, the team behind Houseof are changing the way the traditional lighting world works. The site feels more modern, all the lights are made in-house so the guarantee comes directly from them.

We have bought these Houseof wall lights (in charcoal) for our kitchen. £40 each or £60 if you buy two!

Binny Bespoke

Lampshades are making a huge comeback, and these are made by hand using beautiful West African cloth.

Lampshade (base not included): £41.99, Binny Bespoke

The creator, Natalie, also makes other homeware items such as throws and bedding and you can even do one of her online courses to learn how to make your own lampshade, here!


Dunelm

Dunelm has become one of those go-to places I check for hidden interiors gems lately – lighting, matte black toilet roll holder (yes, niche, but I found a chic one here for £10!).

Macrame lamphade: £59, Dunelm

We did originally buy lights from here (below) for the kitchen and they were great quality, but just too wide for the space unfortunately.

Wall light: £20, Dunelm

Spark & Bell

On the more expensive side of the scale, I included Spark & Bell as a small, independent business I admire, and we just decided to splurge on one of Emer’s lights for our toilet. All lights are handmade in Brighton and for bespoke lighting, these are great value.

Wall sconce: £56, Spark & Bell
Spark & Bell lights in the home of Liz Nylon

Established 25 Atelier

Lampshades: from £65, Established 25 Atelier

Established 25 Atelier is an independent homeware store (take a look at their gorgeous cushions!) that happen to sell lovely lampshades, too. A UK based store creating mainly limited edition products, which draw inspiration from the owner’s Afro-Caribbean heritage.


Pooky

For wall lights, Pooky is second to none. The site is easy to navigate, the selection is gorgeous and if you shop around, you can get some really good value shades and fittings that look far more expensive than their pricetag.

Pendant shade and fitting: £69, Pooky

Lampsy

Wall light: £39, Lampsy

Based in Aberdeen, this brand has been recommended by a few readers – expect classic and stylish lighting at reasonable prices, all photographed nicely too! You can also purchase bulbs at the same time which is helpful.


La Redoute

Pendant lampshade: £31.50, La Redoute

I have bought many interiors from La Redoute over the years and always been happy with the quality for the price, they’re especially excellent for bedding and kids rooms, I find! But I didn’t even think to look at them for lights and I love all the raffia/rattan items they have right now. They often have discount codes too, so it’s worth keeping your eye out for these.


Barbeline

Barbeline is an eco friendly interiors boutique set-up by Barbeline Lusandu in 2015, all the products are designed in East London and produced in the UK. Bold and colourful, her lampshades will become a key focus on any room, so well worth the investment.

Lampshade, £78, Barbeline

Iconic Lights

Table lamp: £30, Iconic Lights

Again, a brand I had heard of but not shopped with, but the reviews look excellent and have heard good things from readers.


The Workshop Below

After something more industrial? The brand create made to order lighting in their workshop in Birmingham, this light is made using BSP pipe fittings.

Wall light: from £50, The Workshop Below

There is even an option to design your own light on the site with transparent costings) here.


Matalan

Image: Christopher O’Donnell

In my opinion, the new BHS of lighting. I worked with Matalan a few years ago on their lighting range (this image is one of the shots we created for them) and was really impressed with the quality.

Sputnik style light: £100, Matalan
Metal dome shade: £10, Matalan

Habitat

Last but not least, Habitat – I first noted their lighting selection when Kate from Mad About The House raved about one of their table lamps (the ‘Lantana’) as the light of the season which I thought was a bold, yet worthy statement! The prices on the site vary, so its worth digging around for bargains but they have a lot of reasonably priced lighting which looks far more expensive than the pricetag.

Wall light: £50, Habitat

Maisons Du Monde

I was in two minds of adding Maisons Du Monde as I’ve had mixed experiences with them (I once paid £60 for a mirror and it came with a sticker on it saying €50 and I felt a slight bit ripped off!), but saying that, I’ve never been disappointed with the quality (Peggy’s rocking chair is from there and we love it) so I’ve included Maisons du Monde as it is affordable and they have lots of variety, too.

Linen shade wall light; £17.99, Maisons Du Monde
Wall light: £33, Maisons Du Monde

As always, this isn’t an extensive list but hopefully a mix of brands you hadn’t thought of, are new to, or confirmed to know and trust! I think we are finally set on most of our lighting in our house now, but lamps do make a big difference to a room, especially in terms of ambience. We have gone for dimmer switches in our kitchen for the first time, too, which I am weirdly excited about!

By Alexandra Stedman

Fashion Editor, Blogger, Realist

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Comments

  1. ekta garg says

    23rd June 2020 at 10:41 am

    Awesome article!

    Reply
  2. Caz says

    23rd June 2020 at 6:13 pm

    I love Pooky, and their warehouse sales are amazing!

    Reply
    • Alexandra Stedman says

      24th June 2020 at 9:46 am

      Oh I looked at Pooky but their most affordable seemed to be on par with the most expensive ones here, they’re gorgeous though – good to know about the warehouse sales – I’ll sign up! x

      Reply
  3. Annalisa says

    24th June 2020 at 10:06 pm

    Your articles are always so interesting! Even when you’re talking about lamp shades! 🙂 My partner and I are still renting and he’s really not into making too many changes to a rented place, but I really struggle with that, so I do my best with anything that doesn’t need too much fixing to the walls!

    Reply
  4. Gentle Rose says

    25th June 2020 at 9:40 am

    Great article. I’m about to start looking fr some wall lights for my guest bedroom so this has been really helpful. Also dimmer switch in the kitchen? Would never have thought of this, but actually a fab idea!! Kitchen main lights are always too bright for a kitchen party, and I normally end up bringing additional lamps through from the living room. Great idea.

    Reply
  5. erin says

    7th April 2021 at 6:30 pm

    I cannot tell you how grateful I am for this post. After buying my first home (!) and beginning to tackle some of the boring aspects like gutter, roof tiles, insulation and all the patching up of a Victorian terrace, my only ‘must-have’ of beautiful lighting felt gone – until now!

    Please do more lists like this! Paint brands? Furniture? Anything!

    Thank you!

    Reply

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