A Buyer's Guide To Eco-Friendly Lighting

The right accessories can transform a house into a home. And the right lighting is key to creating the perfect ambience. Whether you want to transform a room with contemporary charm, create a real WOW factor or simply generate a cosy atmosphere, lighting is an essential piece of homeware to light up your space.

Here is an in-depth buyer’s guide so when the evenings get dark, your home will still be shining brightly:

What eco-friendly materials are available?

Various materials are used to make light fixtures. Here at Out & Out, we have chosen to use stainless steel and the most sustainable wood in the world - bamboo.

Here is a full breakdown to the multitude of environmental and social benefits for each source:

Bamboo lighting

Bamboo grows at a tremendous speed and is used within the construction industry as a sustainable alternative, so when you’re purchasing your bamboo lighting, you’ll have peace of mind that it is super durable.

As mentioned, bamboo is the most sustainable wood species in the world which makes it superb for creating unique homeware accessories. Additional benefits include:

- It is a natural anti-bacterial so it’s great for families with children

- It is water-resistant, which is perfect for splashbacks in the kitchen

- It is cost-effective, so great if you are on a budget

- The harvesting of bamboo is also sustainable

Stainless steel lighting

Did you know that stainless steel is 100% recyclable? Stainless steel is rapidly becoming an all-round excellent recyclable material.

It has a longer lifespan than other sources, with its main elements, chromium, nickel, and molybdenum, all being highly valuable and easily recovered from other materials. Additionally, it resists corrosion and will take much longer to rust.

Most objects made from stainless steel have around 60% recycled content, but more importantly, they look beautiful - meaning you can get a stylish light fixture for your home that is also ecological!

How to maintain a bright light

Both bamboo and stainless steel are super easy materials to clean, you don’t need any special cleaning products to keep your light sparkling. Make sure you unplug your light fixture and allow the bulb to cool down before cleaning.

Bamboo light fixtures can easily be cleaned with lukewarm water, salt, and a non-abrasive cloth. The most effective way to polish stainless steel is with water and a cloth but it’s important you towel dry to prevent water spots from occurring! You can use a mild detergent. If you’re having a bit of trouble cleaning blemishes, glass cleaner or polish can help to get rid of fingerprints and marks.

If your stainless steel purchase has scratching or staining, you can cover these up with a simple stainless steel cleaner. Don’t forget to clean the top of your pendant fixture. Whichever method you choose to clean your lighting accessory, it is important to take care of it properly to make sure it lasts longer!

Top buying tips

Always consider all your options and ask all the relevant questions to ensure you get the right lighting for your home.

Here are some of the fundamental questions you need to ask yourself as well as top tips:

What bulb wattage will I need?

Did you know energy saving bulbs can save you up to £100 over its lifetime?! According to the Department of Environment, one-third of the money spent on lighting and heating our homes is wasted; but an energy-saving light bulb can save around £9 on each annual electricity bill.

Is a warranty included?

Most of our fittings come with a 3-year constructional warranty, so make sure you find out before you purchase.

What are the ideal length dimensions for a ceiling light?

As a rule of thumb, the larger the light pendant, the higher it can be moved whereas the smaller the light pendant, the lower it can be placed. The last thing you want is for your light to be too low and you hit your head!

Can I put any light fixture up in the bathroom?

The answer to this is no. Bathroom lighting must conform to regulations, as specialist lighting is manufactured to withstand the moisture and water safety. Light fittings for the bathroom are given an Ingress Protection number or classification and this IP rating determines the degree of protection.

Are there matching fittings available?

Get the co-ordinated set! (If you can). Complete the furnishings in your home with matching fixtures to truly light up your space. At Out & Out, we offer co-ordinating desk, pendant, and floor standing lamps.

That is your complete guide to purchasing a new light for your home! If you have any questions or queries, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 02037 728752 or get in touch via our contact form and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.