The 50 Best lights

Whether it’s a chic shade or the perfect pendant, Kate Watson-Smyth gets the mood just right

1. Rhino wall lamp

A quirky rhino-head lamp makes a change from the ubiquitous stag's head. The downside is that you will need two to make an impact, which means it is quite pricey.

Where: grahamandgreen.co.uk

How much: £95

2. Glow in the dark star lampshade

Does exactly what it says. Leave it on while the children have a bath and when it's time for lights out, red luminous dots will glow for about 20 minutes .

Where: amazon.co.uk

How much: £9.99

3. Inca Ceiling Pendant

A pendant that looks like a giant golden bubble suspended in the air. Invest in a clear flex and it will look like it is seemingly hanging from nowhere.

Where: bhs.co.uk, 0845 196 000

How much: £150

4. Cord lamp

This one turns the cord into an eye-catching piece of design. It doesn't take up very much room so it will tuck into a little corner and add a bit of fun.

Where: designhousestockholm.com

How much: £198

5. Original BTC Circle Line table lamp

Functional lamp available in two sizes, which has a stylish touch with a monochrome china shade which can be adjusted to any angle.

Where: heals.co.uk

How much: from £129

6. Heath Nash Flower Ball

South African-born Heath Nash makes beautiful shades from old plastic bottles. The white ones would look wonderful in a flowerbed at night.

Where: The Flower and Garden Company (020 8673 2480)

How much: £395

7. Crystal decanter pendant light

Not enough people put wit into their interiors, so this pendant light by Lee Broom is the perfect antidote to that.

Where: heals.co.uk, 08700 240 780

How much: from £300

8. Pineapple table lamp

Somehow this is old fashioned and modern at the same time. It almost seems as it if should be sitting on a home bar, but would look amazing on a chic table.

Where: grahamandgreen.co.uk, 0845 130 6622

How much: £125

9. Coby cream/wood complete lamp

The mix of metal and wood is pleasing, the shade angles perfectly and the yellow cord is a lovely, subtle touch.

Where: lauraashley.com, 0871 983 5999

How much: £125

10. Davey Bulkhead fittings

These fittings work particularly well in the kitchen. Ideal if you're sick of those spot lights which are great for cooking but less great for atmosphere.

Where: lightingmatters.co.uk

How much: from £62.50 excl VAT

11. Dog night light

Made from fine bone china, this sweet little dog gives a warm ambient glow for children's bedrooms. There's also a cutsey rabbit or an owl to choose from.

Where: olivelovesalfie.co.uk, 020 7241 4212

How much: £69.99

12. Moonlight outdoor lamp

It's that old indoor/outdoor chestnut but with a witty twist as it's a proper standard lamp that will look great by your garden furniture.

Where: netlighting.co.uk, 020 8952 3444

How much: £382.32

13. PS Maskros

I'll declare an interest straight away. I have this hanging in a stairwell at the top of my house. It looks stunning. However, it's self-assembly and there are a lot of paper flowers to assemble.

Where: ikea.com, 0845 355 1144

How much: £91.99

14. Jolie table lamp

This comes in range of colours, including red, black and lime green, and makes a feature of the cord. Plus, it looks far more expensive than it actually is.

Where: johnlewis.com, 08456 049049

How much: £35

15. Clip light

There are plenty good of clip lights around, and this one is a great basic one. The shade swivels to allow directional lighting and it comes in black or white.

Where: designshopuk.com, 0870 2424 128

How much: £45

16. Extendable wall light

Perfect in the bedroom, the kitchen or at the ends of the sofa as task lights. Extends to 50cm, which is quite a long reach.

Where: rockettstgeorge.co.uk, 01444 253375

How much: £149

17. Zebra low energy ceiling light

This light also comes in the guise of a giraffe and a monkey; a great change to pink fairy shades and football lamps.

Where: childrenslighting.co.uk, 01943 608176

How much: £34.95

18. Box wall light

Davey Lighting began making marine lights in the 19th century. For something more traditional than industrial that will give a pretty soft light, try this.

Where: davey-lighting.co.uk, 020 7351 2130

How much: £418

19. Clara by Baroncelli

Designed to be hung in a cluster for maximum effect, this hand-blown Murano glass pendant works just as well on its own. Each one is made to order.

Where: baroncellidesign.com, 020 7720 6556

How much: £2,120

20. Flexible lamp

It's almost cartoonish in its simplicity which adds to the appeal. Made with a rubber joint which means you can angle it just so.

Where: madeindesign.co.uk, 020 7692 4001

How much: £162

21. Signal S1333 Table Lamp

This icon of French industrial art was designed by Jean-Louis Domecq in 1950 with two articulated arms so it can be adjusted at height and angle.

Where: conranshop.co.uk, 0844 848 4000

How much: £235

22. Pimlico wall lamp

A pretty wall lamp that works really well either side of the bed in boutique-hotel style. It will leave room on your bedside table for all those unread books.

Where: gardentrading.co.uk, 0845 608 4448

How much: £34

23. Birdey children's wall light

Fitted with a 50W halogen bulb, this will give out plenty of light. It plugs into a socket so doesn't need to be wired into the wall.

Where: childrenslighting.co.uk, 01943 608176

How much: £36.95

24. Oluce Teda outdoor floor lights

Designed by Ferdi Giardini, these are the outdoor version of his glass tubular lights. They almost disappear in planting and looking pleasingly minimal.

Where: nest.co.uk, 0114 433000

How much: £578

25. PH Artichoke 480 pendant by Louis Poulsen

The lighting in the latest Danish series Borgen is fabulous. This piece is one of the best that features in the show.

Where: ivor-innes.co.uk, 01482 649271

How much: £5,155

26. Spindle table lamp base

This lamp has already become a modern classic. The high-gloss lacquer gives a fresh twist on the classic base and, in shocking pink, it's fabulous.

Where: habitat.co.uk, 0844 499486

How much: £60

27. Fritz Hansen Kaiser Idell Luxus lamp

An original Bauhaus design, this has a swivel joint but its curved stem is more friendly than the classic Anglepoise.

Where: nest.co.uk, 0114 243 3000

How much: £655

28. Perforated copper lamp

Inspired by a winebar in Marseille, these pretty lamps would be perfect for the dining room or eating part of the kitchen when you have friends over for supper.

Where: thefrenchhouse.net

How much: £125

29. Butterfly Effect lampshade

Designed by new talent Lauren Moriarty, this is made from a double layer of plastics giving the effect of butterflies flapping their wings.

Where: notonthehighstreet.com

How much: £39

30. Romeo Outdoor C3 by Philippe Starck

There is basically nothing this man hasn't designed. Here he turns to outdoor lighting. Hang it from a pergola or a tree and put your table underneath.

Where: flos.com

How much: £1,349

31. Pendant Lamp by Artek

This is one of Scandinavian designer Alvar Aalto's classic piece. The light is diffused by the brass elements, giving a softer glow than most pendants.

Where: skandium.com, 020 7584 2066

How much: £756

32. Fold T1

This quirky lamp is made from a single folded sheet of steel. It combines a nostalgic shape and old-fashioned cable with ultra-modern materials.

Where: yoox.com or ring the showroom on 020 7608 0990

How much: £120

33. Artemide Miconos lamp

Why not celebrate the humble light bulb? This slightly retro yet actually quite modern lamp has a dimmer for ambience.

Where: macandmacinteriors.com, 01252 717771

How much: £326

34. Bestlite BL6

Great as a bedside lamp. If you don't have the wiring, just screw it to the wall and plug the flex into a socket. Winston Churchill was a big Bestlite fan.

Where: geoffreyharris.com, 0808 159 6241

How much: £369

35. Mathmos Astro Baby lava lamp

A great night light for children who can relax themselves to sleep with something that's more fun than counting sheep.

Where: mathmos.com, 01202 620 114

How much: £49

36. Copenhagen wall lantern

Wall lighting in a garden needs to be both pretty and functional. This slightly retro, Danish design fits the bill.

Where: outdoorlightingonline.co.uk, 01943 608176

How much: £64.95

37. Flos Fucsia 1 suspension light by Achille Castiglioni

This simple light made from hand-blown glass would certainly add drama to a kitchen or over a dinner table.

Where: macandmacinteriors.co.uk, 01252 717771

How much: £141

38. Soft Spun large

Designed by Sebastian Wrong for Flos, this lamp is incorporated into the wall. It's clever, funny and beautiful. There's also a table version.

Where: flos.com

How much: £513 for the small and £913 for the large

39. Brompton floor lamp

Yes, it's called a floor lamp, but it's much more of a task light as the shade is small and the resulting light is too focused to do anything other than read by. Comes in slate or clay colours.

Where: gardentrading.co.uk

How much: £150

40. Mantra M0930 Pop wall light

Imagine a medieval flaming sconce given a 21st-century makeover. This one can also be tilted to the angle you want.

Where: lightingathome.co.uk, 0161 839 5900

How much: £147

41. Massive 40092/34/10 Kico Lunardo pendant

Reminiscent of the beautiful drawings by Oliver Jeffers in his book How to Catch a Star, this light is rather sweet.

Where: massivelighting.co.uk, 0161 839 5900

How much: £79.20

42. Kew miniature spotlight

Part of lighting specialist John Cullen's new range, this gives off a warm white light. And they light a border beautifully as they blend into the planting.

Where: johncullenlighting.co.uk, 020 7371 9000

How much: £160

43. Himalaya 18 light ceiling pendant

This pendant by Dar Lighting plays a joke in an understated way. The lights inside can be adjusted to suit your decor.

Where: castlegatelights.co.uk, 01642 714 444

How much: £642

44. Jonathan Adler Blue Scale Carnaby table lamp

Sometimes we all play a little safe with our patterns, so why not have a look at Jonathan Adler's "happy chic" approach?

Where: heals.co.uk, 08700 240 780

How much: £275

45. Retro metal clip-on light

The industrial look is on trend at the moment and this gorgeous lamp made from metal and wood would make a great kitchen task light.

Where: rockettstgeorge.co.uk, 01444 253375

How much: £79

46. The Perfect wall light

Who are we to argue with its title? And for an industrial-style light this is well-priced so three cheers for affordable trend-setting.

Where: rockettstgeorge.co.uk, 01444 253375

How much: £59

47. Searchlight lighting F1 racing car ceiling light

One for the boys (of all ages), this monochrome car provides an unusual form of lighting. There's a helicopter too.

Where: castlegatelights.co.uk, 01642 714444

How much: £135.60

48. Edison the Grand

From Fatboy, the creator of those awfully comfortable beanbag/cushions comes this rather fun outdoor light, which glows all over. Available in two sizes.

Where: fatboy.com

How much: £359

49. Optic dome easyfit ceiling light

If you've spent all your money on a fabulous sofa then this simple glass shade will do a nice job of lighting it for you.

Where: bhs.co.uk, 0845 196 0000

How much: £25

50. Siena lamp

This is a beautiful but understated lamp from The White Company. The distressed, mirrored base will reflect the light around the room.

Where: thewhitecompany.com, 0844 7364222

How much: £120