Our top five tips before you buy lighting

Whether you're a professional working for a client or renovating your own home, purchasing lighting online can be daunting.

Installation usually requires professional help involving time and money; and with so many options to choose from, it can feel overwhelming. Here at Fat Shack Vintage, we've put together our top 5 tips for purchasing lighting online.

Start your research early

Lighting tends to be one of the last items you think about when designing a room. It may not be as exciting as choosing a wall colour or furniture, but it makes a big difference to the feel of a room. Start researching the styles you like, types of light bulbs and whether they will compliment other pieces of furniture in the room. It is also important to consider lighting early, as certain wiring needs to be installed in order to place lights in a room.

Also, remember you outdoor lighting needs. An interior designer or lighting consultant will be able to help ensure your lighting is accounted for in your building or renovation. If you are working with a builder directly, let them know your lighting plans so they can account for it while building. 

Measure and visualise

We like to put as many measurements as we can on our product listings to ensure you know exactly what you are ordering. As well as measuring the light fitting itself, you should also measure the room, including any furniture that may impact the positioning of the light. 

The general rule for dining tables is that any pendant light or chandelier should sit at least 750mm above the table. This ensures the light will not be in the way of anyone sitting at the table. This rule can be changed depending on the lighting design and your preferences. One rule that cannot be changed for safety reasons is bathroom lighting position; lights sitting above a vanity need to be out of the splash zone of the sink. Your electrician can help you find the safest place for your lights. 

If you are unsure of how your product will look in your room, try sketching it out on a large piece of butcher's paper using our measurements, cut it out, and get someone to hold it in place so you can see the scale of the light compared to your room.

Know your timeline

As mentioned earlier, lighting is often the last fitting to go into a house; and if you're not careful, you can find yourself stuck for time. Ordering your lights well ahead of the completion date ensures you will receive the lights in time and can change them if they don't suit the space. We also recommend not booking an electrician until you have received your lights, in case of issues with suppliers or delivery. If you want to check stock levels, lead times or postage times feel free to contact us. We are here to help!

Check your lights

Like with any delivery, you should check your lights as soon as they arrive. Some lights can be delicate and get damaged in transit. Give all of your lights a good check over once received, and give us a call straightaway if you have any issues.

Remember: A qualified electrician should always install lights that require wiring.

If you follow these tips, you'll be sure to have an easy and enjoyable experience when buying lighting for your project. As you can see from the projects below, when all is done and dusted, the results can be amazing.