The right lighting can completely transform a home. It influences how a room looks, how it feels and how comfortably it functions throughout the day. From statement chandeliers and kitchen pendant lights to subtle wall lighting and practical task lights, every fitting has a role to play.
When choosing lighting for a New Zealand home, it helps to consider more than appearance alone. Room size, ceiling height, natural light, furniture placement and the way you use each space should all guide your decisions.
At Murano Plus, we help homeowners, interior designers, architects and developers find designer lighting that combines style, quality and function. Our New Zealand-owned lighting store offers an extensive collection online, an Auckland showroom and custom lighting solutions for projects throughout NZ.
What Are the Main Types of Lighting?
A successful lighting plan usually includes three complementary layers:
Ambient lighting
Ambient lighting provides the main source of general illumination in a room. It may come from a chandelier, pendant light, ceiling light or recessed lighting.
Task lighting
Task lighting illuminates the areas where specific activities take place. Examples include pendant lights above a kitchen island, a table lamp beside a reading chair or focused lighting near a bathroom mirror.
Accent lighting
Accent lighting introduces depth, atmosphere and visual interest. Wall lights, decorative lamps and feature pendants can highlight artwork, architectural details or favourite areas of a room.
Combining all three layers creates a space that feels more balanced, functional and inviting.
How Do You Choose Lighting for a Kitchen?
Kitchen lighting needs to be both practical and visually appealing. Start with good general illumination, then add focused task lighting over preparation and dining areas.
Pendant lights are a popular choice above kitchen islands because they provide useful illumination while creating a strong design feature. For a cohesive result, consider the size and shape of the island, ceiling height and surrounding finishes before selecting your pendants.
A single large pendant can suit a compact island, while two or three smaller pendants may work better over a longer benchtop. Linear pendant lighting is another effective option for creating even coverage across a rectangular island or dining table.
Warm metallic finishes, glass shades and sculptural forms can help connect the lighting with cabinetry, tapware and other interior details.
What Lighting Works Best in a Dining Room?
Dining room lightingshould create warmth and atmosphere while providing enough light for meals and entertaining.
A chandelier or statement pendant positioned above the dining table naturally becomes a focal point. As a general design principle, the fitting should relate to the size and shape of the table rather than the dimensions of the entire room.
Round chandeliers and clustered pendants work beautifully over circular tables, while linear fittings often complement rectangular dining tables. A dimmable light source offers greater flexibility, allowing you to move from bright family dining to softer evening ambience.
How Should You Light a Living Room?
Living roomsbenefit from multiple light sources rather than one bright ceiling fitting.
Combine ambient lighting with floor lamps, table lamps and wall lights to create different moods. A statement chandelier or pendant can anchor the room, while decorative lamps provide softer pools of light for reading and relaxing.
Wall lighting can also highlight artwork, shelving or architectural features without occupying valuable floor space. Where possible, use separate switches or dimmers so each layer can be adjusted independently.
What Is the Best Lighting for a Bedroom?
Bedroom lighting should feel calm, comfortable and adaptable.
Start with soft ambient lighting from a ceiling light, pendant or chandelier. Add bedside lamps or wall lights for reading and everyday convenience. Wall-mounted bedside lights are particularly useful in smaller bedrooms because they leave bedside tables clear.
Warm light generally creates a more restful atmosphere than cool, bright light. Dimmers can make bedroom lighting even more versatile, providing stronger illumination when needed and a softer glow before bedtime.
How Can Lighting Improve a Hallway or Stairwell?
Hallways, entrances and stairwells are ideal places to introduce memorable feature lighting.
A chandelier or pendant can bring drama to a double-height entrance or stairwell, while wall lights can provide gentle illumination through narrow corridors. In homes with high ceilings or large voids, the scale of the fitting is especially important. A light that looks substantial in a showroom may appear much smaller once installed in a tall space.
Custom lighting can be valuable in these areas because the dimensions, suspension length and configuration can be tailored to suit the architecture.
What Lighting Is Suitable for a Bathroom?
Bathroom lighting needs to balance appearance with practical visibility.
Wall lights placed beside a mirror can provide more even facial illumination than relying only on a ceiling light. LED mirrors can also combine everyday function with a clean, contemporary look.
Any light installed in a bathroom must be appropriate for its intended location and comply with New Zealand electrical requirements. Always discuss placement and suitability with a qualified electrician before installation.
How Do You Choose Outdoor Lighting?
Outdoor lighting improves visibility, security and the overall presentation of a home after dark.
Exterior wall lights can illuminate entrances, pathways and entertaining areas while complementing the home’s architecture. Choose fittings specifically designed for outdoor use and ensure their materials and finish are suitable for local weather conditions.
A consistent lighting style across the entrance, outdoor living areas and exterior walls can help create a polished, cohesive appearance.
When Should You Consider Custom Lighting?
Custom lighting is ideal when a standard fitting does not provide the right size, finish, configuration or visual impact.
A bespoke design may be appropriate for:
- Large entranceways or stairwell voids
- Kitchen islands requiring a specific pendant arrangement
- Dining tables needing a particular length or proportion
- Commercial interiors and hospitality spaces
- Architectural projects with unusual ceiling heights
- Rooms requiring a customised ceiling plate or suspension length
Murano Plus offers custom and bespoke lighting solutions for residential and commercial projects throughout New Zealand. Designs can be developed around the scale, style and practical requirements of the space. Keep in mind that minimum order quantities and/or lead times for custom styles may apply.
Why Is a Lighting Design Consultation Worthwhile?
Choosing lighting from photographs alone can make it difficult to judge scale, placement and how different fittings will work together.
A lighting consultation can help you:
- Select fittings that suit the size of each room
- Coordinate lighting across an entire home or project
- Determine suitable pendant dimensions and hanging heights
- Match lighting finishes with furniture and interior materials
- Explore custom options for challenging or distinctive spaces
- Avoid costly mistakes before electrical work begins
Murano Plus offers lighting design consultations, including site visits across Auckland and remote advice for customers elsewhere in New Zealand.
Where Can You Find Designer Lighting in New Zealand?
Murano Plus is a proudly New Zealand-owned designer lighting and furniture store with an established showroom in Epsom, Auckland.
Our collection includes chandeliers, pendant lights, ceiling lights, wall lights, table lamps, floor lamps, outdoor lighting, LED mirrors and bulbs. We also offer designer furniture, custom lighting, trade support and assistance for residential, commercial and architectural projects.
Customers can visit the Auckland lighting showroom to view selected pieces in person or shop online for delivery throughout New Zealand.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lighting
What lighting is best for a kitchen island?
Pendant lights or a linear pendant are popular choices for kitchen islands. The best option depends on the island’s length, ceiling height and the amount of task lighting required.
How many pendant lights should go above a kitchen island?
Many kitchen islands suit two or three pendants, but one larger fitting or a linear pendant may create a cleaner result. The correct number depends on the size of the fittings and the proportions of the island.
Are chandeliers only suitable for traditional homes?
No. Chandeliers are available in contemporary, minimalist, organic and sculptural designs as well as traditional crystal styles. The key is choosing a design and scale that complement the room.
Can lighting be customised?
Yes. Custom lighting can be designed to suit particular dimensions, finishes, ceiling heights and installation requirements. Murano Plus provides bespoke lighting solutions for homes and commercial projects across New Zealand.
Does Murano Plus provide lighting consultations?
Yes. Murano Plus provides expert lighting design consultations, Auckland site visits and remote assistance for customers throughout NZ.
Where is the Murano Plus showroom?
The Murano Plus lighting showroom is located at 2 King Edward Avenue, Epsom, Auckland. Customers can explore designer lighting and discuss their project with the Murano Plus team.
Transform Your Space With Murano Plus
Whether you are renovating one room, building a new home or planning a commercial interior, thoughtful lighting can elevate the entire space.
Explore Murano Plus’s collection of designer lighting online, visit our Auckland showroom or book a lighting design consultation. Our team can help you select chandeliers, pendant lights, wall lights and custom lighting solutions that bring together style, atmosphere and everyday functionality.
