LIGHTING DELIGHT | WESTGATE LIFESTYLE

Let there be light, someone once said. Chances are that directive fell on the ears of many a shop owner at Westgate Lifestyle as we are spoilt by the number of stores offering lighting options (right up there with the number offering beds!). It seems a good time to shed some light (ha) on this given daylight saving, clock changing is just around the corner (If you need a reminder, that’s Sunday, 2 April 2023, at 3:00:00 a.m when clocks are turned back an hour.) So, it will be darker earlier, and if there’s ever a time to eye up your lighting at home (and smoke alarms too, of course) now’s a good one. I am huge on ambience in my home. I actually find joy in switching on some strategically placed lamps and lighting a candle or two…and I’m a sucker for fairy lights. The right degree of lighting provides such a cosy and welcoming vibe and makes me feel like relaxing into the evening (most times). Lighting choices can make or break a room’s design and mood.

Lighting serves many purposes. Besides being functional and task related, you can use pops of illumination to give your home unexpected glow and a personalised touch. The majority of rooms in our homes feature a mix of lighting, including overhead, accent and task lights.

Consider different ways lighting can add wow to you home – for example, hang pendants either side of your bed; highlight artwork or other display pieces, or up-light a plant with lovely foliage. I’ve been to homes with the bling of a chandelier in the bathroom.  So many ideas, and so many lighting options out there for you to consider. And, of course, changing a shade or base is an easy and often inexpensive way to create a décor change.

A trip to Westgate Lifestyle should deliver, thanks to the array of options at stores like Lighting Direct, Lighting Plus, NOOD, Freedom Furniture, ifurniture, Harvey Norman, Hunter Furniture, Briscoes (I love the mood light diffuser I found there) and even Bed Bath & Beyond where I found the umbrella base that incorporates four light bulbs to offer mood lighting when entertaining at night (I’d never seen that before).  Remember sale prices are continually being rolled out and well worth keeping an eye on. And of course there are stores, such as Harvey Norman, offering long-term interest free shopping opportunities too.  Happy shopping!

|1. Wonboyn ceiling pendant, now $404, from Freedom Furniture |2. Ledlux artis table lamp, brass with opal glass, now $149.94, from Lighting Direct |3. Townshend table lamp black/oak, now $119.99, from Lighting Direct |4. Milano mood light diffuser light wood, now $50, from Briscoes |5. Neon light – heart, now $19.99, from NOOD |6. Luna 52cm table lamp by Banyan, $209, from Harvey Norman |7. Galileo timber floor lamp BASE, now $142.35, from Lighting Plus |8. Medina antique brass 30cm 1 light pendant, now $191.95, from Lighting Plus |9. Outdoors round umbrella light, $39.90, from Bed Bath & Beyond |10. H6060-1A hanging lamp, $119, from ifurniture.

Note: Prices mentioned, and availability of products featured are subject to change. If you love the look, we recommend you head in store to find out more.