If you are in your kitchen right now, take a look at your ceiling. Do you have a set of halogen spotlights arranged like an airport landing strip? Now, walk into your living room. Are there small table lamps wearing triangular shades like hats? If this is the case, then join me at the bottom of the lighting class.

There is hope, however. Technology has progressed so much that with a bit of attention to the lighting, your house will seem more spacious and inviting.

Make the most of available light: “Don’t obscure windows with huge amounts of material.”

When it comes to using artificial light, having less lighting from the ceiling is a major trend at the moment – Use it, but use it sparingly. If you only have light coming from overhead, it closes down your room.

The key to brightening up your home is layering. Light that comes from the walls, floor and tabletops creates a textured effect that opens out a room.

To do this you may have to increase the beam width of your spotlights. (This is measured in degrees and displayed on the side of the box.)

A wide angle will flood light across your walls to very satisfying effect. A shower room can be transformed by illuminating the back wall, and kitchens can be made to look larger by slanting spots on to cabinets, so the light bounces down on to work surfaces.

Meanwhile back in the living room, dramatic designer lighting in niches and on shelves creates a luxurious effect. And designer uplighters eliminate dead corners and make rooms more inviting.

The ideal set-up is to have your lights on a five-amp circuit controlled by a master switch by the door. You will have to connect your table lamps to five-amp points, which means fitting them with five-amp plugs.

If you don’t want to disturb your plasterwork, a simple way to spruce things up is with LEDs (light emitting diodes). They only use a tiny amount of energy, but put out a vast amount of light. Crucially, they don’t heat up, so you can use them in places where heat is undesirable such as kitchen cupboards.

Long strips of LEDs can be attached to kitchen units or display shelves, while a flexible LED lamp by your bed will take your night-time reading habits out of the twilight zone. Strips cost £60-£100 a metre, but the more you pay, the warmer the light.

If you are serious about reviewing your lighting design, then employ a consultant from Dano Lighting. Our charges start at £150 per room or from £85 an hour for an entire house.

Whatever your long-term lighting needs, bin those old triangular hats on your table lamps. All they do is throw light down onto your coffee table. A drum-shaped lampshade will help throw light up into your room.

Designer Lights – The possibilities today are more exciting than ever before, so take the time to do your research. There’s no need to be left in the dark – buy some Designer Lights to improve your living space

Bright ideas

Hidden light sources give rooms more depth

Fit energy-saving lights rather than fluorescent

For bathroom mirrors or dressingtables, light coming across your face is more flattering than coming from above

Fit kitchen lights in line with your units to illuminate your working area

Don’t leave dark areas in your living room – no one will go there

Consider two large standing lamps rather than a peppering of tiny coffee-table lights

Don’t forget your garden – even a couple of tiny lights will bring it to life at night

If you are refurbishing, get the electrician on side, so you can install the latest in light technology

If you choose colourful lighting, have white light as an alternative in case you get fed up with it