It may be something we now take for granted, but for thousands of years lighting our homes was not the easy task it is today and meant that humans had to rise with the sun and go to bed when it got dark, instead of being able to choose their waking hours.
Fire was one of the earliest forms of lighting and over the years humans discovered ways to make this light source more mobile and suitable for use indoors. Flickering oil table lamps were one of the only ways to light your home for hundreds of years, and adequate lighting was something often only reserved for the rich as the fuels included olive oils, sesame oils and fish oils, which poorer families would end up consuming when times were hard.
Gas lighting was developed in the 18th century and this soon spread to become popular in homes and as outdoor lighting in the streets of cities across the world. It was first set up in London, but it soon spread to Europe and the USA, as well as other cities in the UK.
However, the gas lights were soon replaced by more modern lighting; electric lighting. This is the type of outdoor lighting we see today, but a number of locations still retain gas lighting to create a more nostalgic and historic effect.
Today, modern lighting comes in a variety of forms so we can light up all the rooms of our homes and are no longer bound by the hours of daylight. One key area which has seen major developments is bathroom lighting. Due to the amount of water in the room and the dangers of electrics, inventors have come up with various forms of bathroom lighting to keep the room well lit without putting us at danger. From bathroom wall lighting to bathroom ceiling lighting, we can bathe in complete safety without risk of electrocution.
Modern ceiling lighting is also popular in locations other than the bathroom. Spotlights and other forms of ceiling lights are often found in contemporary kitchens as they can allow light to be concentrated on certain areas which is ideal for cooking.
As well as enhancing our homes, lighting has also improved safety. After the first gas lights were brought in in cities, crime rates fell and motion activated outdoor LED lighting or outdoor wall lighting is now often used by homeowners outside of their property to discourage intruders. Fire rated downlights have also been developed which can prevent your ceiling from collapsing in the event of a fire.
Lighting doesn’t just have to be functional; it can also be used for decorative purposes. LED lighting is popular as it means that coloured light can be emitted naturally which can make a great feature for outdoor lighting especially. Ceiling lighting and wall lights have also been enhanced thanks to new designs which can make your lighting a feature of the room, thanks to options such as crystal lighting and pendant lighting, and floor lamps are also very popular for homeowners who want to make a statement.
With the onset of energy efficient lightbulbs, lighting will continue to develop to match the new technologies, so who knows what the lighting of the future will consist of.
