4 lighting design ideas for period properties

When it comes to creating a lighting design scheme for a stunning period property, it can sometimes pose a challenge. 

The perfect lighting fixture for your historic house is out there, if you know how to find it. 

Whether you’re in possession of a sprawling country cottage, a Victorian terrace house, or a spacious barn conversion, discover 4 lighting design ideas for your period property. 

1. How to light period properties with limited natural light

Many older properties tend to have low ceilings, smaller windows and narrow corridors, which can make a property feel small and claustrophobic. 

But with the right lighting fixture, you can expel any dark areas and make the space feel brighter and more open instead. 

Wall lights or sconces are a great alternative to overly-large pendant lights, and work well in rooms with low ceilings or limited natural light.

Additionally, a set of uplighting wall lights will project the light up and along the wall, making the space feel wider and divert focus away from the low ceiling.

2. How to light period properties with high ceilings

Of course, not all period properties are dark and narrow. For example, take the beautifully high ceilings of a Georgian townhouse, or a barn conversion with an open-plan layout. 

If you have a property with high ceilings, pendant lights are a perfect way of providing a focal point and making a design statement at the same time. 

Pendant lights are available in a huge range of styles, colours and materials, including glass, brass, copper and even concrete. So you’ll definitely find a style to suit your space!

In large spaces where there is enough room to create different lighting ‘zones’, pendant lights can be used to provide plenty of practical lighting. 

For example, a kitchen in a large property will require lots of practical lighting for cooking and prepping food. Pendants lights will offer good quality ambient light, plus they’ll also look great suspended over a kitchen island! 

3. Mix old and new when lighting a period property

Just because you're living in a historic property, it doesn’t mean you have to live in the past. 

Instead, you can integrate your existing period features with your chosen lighting design scheme to create a space that celebrates the past and present! 

Barn conversions are a great example of period properties where traditional complements contemporary. 

To achieve a stunning result, it’s a good idea to choose a light that is an appropriate size and scale, and will complement the overall space. But you can style incorporate your own style too.

If you have charming period features, such as a Regency ceiling rose or exposed wooden beams, choose a contemporary lighting fixture that will modernise these characteristics. 

4. Use accent lighting to accentuate period features

Once you have your base ambient lighting, you can bring in some well-placed accent lighting to create some depth and highlight any historic or architectural characteristics. 

You might want to highlight intricate cornices, beams, archways or built-in cupboards, and you can do this by using a combination of wall lights, picture lights, table lamps and spotlights. 

For extra wow-factor, consider installing some dimmer light switches so you can set the perfect mood in your period property. 

Professional lighting design with Hampshire Light

Here at Hampshire Light, we have specialised in lighting design in period properties for over 20 years. We have a wealth of experience of bringing historic spaces into the modern age with creative, decorative and functional lighting design. 

If you’re looking for an experienced lighting design team to light your period property, get in touch with our team of experts - we’d love to help.