Draw the eye upward with longer vertical pendants.

Sculptural pendants and oversized topiaries highlight a multifunctional island and bring natural materials to a modern grey kitchen.

Let a standout fixture take centre stage.

Designer Christine Ralphs opted for one single pendant over this island, using  recessed lights to keep the space bright. With a wow pendant like this, you only need one.

Keep sightlines open with an unobstructive island fixture.

This thin horizontal light fixture blends in with the modern style of the kitchen, and won't get in the way of guests standing or sitting around the island. We also love how the wiring and track is concealed in a recess above.

Add warmth with touches of brass.

Homeowner and designer Emma Kenley paired these casual pendant lights with her generous marble island. Combined with the chalkboard wall, they lend a schoolhouse feel to the kitchen.

Go big to add drama.

The oversized shade on this pendant light demands attention in this neutral kitchen. An island is an obvious focal point, so pairing it with a dramatic light is fitting. But instead of an intricate chandelier, this light is simple and modern.

Install dimmers on over-island lighting.

Homeowner Christine Woolner wanted a functional kitchen with a vintage black and white look, which design firm McIntyre Bills achieved with Shaker cabinetry, granite counters and traditional hardware. “Install dimmer switches on your lighting,” advises Ronald Bills of McIntyre Bills. “Whether for ceiling fixtures or lamps, they’re essential.” Especially for lights over an island, dimmers allow for low lighting while entertaining around the island and brighter lighting while cooking.

See more designs from McIntyre Bills in our photo gallery.

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

Think outside the box for island lighting.

Slipcovered Parsons stools complement the cream palette and augment the room’s airy look. Large lamps with clear glass bases and neutral-coloured lampshades bring a modern note to the space.

For more beautiful interiors by Lloyd Ralphs Design, see our photo gallery. Also, see other designer spaces with our Michael Angus gallery.

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

Add a nautical hit with vintage-looking lights.

Designer Jennifer Worts chose black honed-granite countertops with a soft matte finish that act as a foil to this kitchen’s shiny white cabinetry. Brushed-nickel faucets are warmer than traditional chrome and go well with stainless steel lights and appliances.

See more lakeside spaces in our Charming Boathouses Photo Gallery.

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

Create warm ambiance with candles.

Designer Nam Dang-Mitchell chose to light this Calgary dining room with candles instead of bulbs, which add to the traditional style of the room. Upholstered dining chairs with nailhead trim work with the neutral palette, while layering in pattern and texture.

For more lighting ideas, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

Accentuate high ceilings with an artful lighting installation.

Large modern pendant lights float ethereally in this vast atrium above the dining room, where nothing else competes with the beauty of the slatted-wood wall and the natural stone floors.

Make a formal dining room more casual with burlap shades.

The dining table in the 2011 Princess Margaret Showhome was chosen for its oval ends and the extra leaf. Burlap pendants hung low create a relaxed intimacy.

See more from the 2011 Princess Margaret Showhome in our photo gallery and watch Lynda Reeves tour the space.

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

Hang a single wood chandelier over a smaller table for a casual touch.

This remote house situated near the St. Lawrence River needs no window coverings; in the dining room, the view acts as a large scale living mural. Owners Richard Ouellette and Maxime Vandal chose trellis-back chairs to elevate a humble barn-board table. An oversized raw-wood chandelier strikes a rustic note in an otherwise formal setting.

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

Choose light fixtures that complement the home's style and surroundings.

A curvaceous Saarinen Tulip table and matching armchairs contrast with minimalist lines. This sustainable and stylish home in British Columbia’s interior embraces the Rocky Mountain landscape with stunning floor-to-ceiling windows.

To see more rooms with a view, visit our photo gallery.

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

Sub in a floor lamp when ceiling electrical isn't possible.

With exposed pipes, brick walls, sky-high metal factory windows and concrete floors and ceilings, this Montreal loft is bursting with cool style and rough edges. In the dining room, a statement Artemide floor lamp hovers over a vintage Saarinen table. With creamy leather chairs and an antique Persian rug, this look is current and timeless. Leaning fashion photography on a low console injects casual glamour.

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

Opt for a handmade pendant that stands in as art.

Inexpensive elements add up to a delicious display that elevates an informal get-together. Create a singular statement by tucking a tree branch or resin antler among the pedestals. A modern porcelain pendant light keeps the look fresh.

Find more inspiration in our photo galleries of Party-Ready Dining Rooms, Thanksgiving Tables, Holiday Tables, Table Decorations and Statement Lighting.

Add an organic feel with a twig-like pendant.

Most of the dining room furniture here is black, but the white coffered ceiling and twig chandelier keep the room feeling airy. A dark chandelier would compete with the hutch, table, chairs and rug, but a white one keeps eyes grounded.

For brighter lighting, hang clear glass pendants.

With its streamlined look and glossy white melamine finish, this simple dining table will add modern elegance to an eating space. Sharp-looking and versatile, its enduring style works with almost any room decor.

See the entire Luxury For Less photo gallery. Plus, get more cheap-chic ideas in Michael Penney’s Affordable Style blog.

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

MELLTORP dining table, $70. At Ikea.

Combine mismatched elements in different styles.

The dining room in the 2008 Princess Margaret Hospital showhome is one of the most spectacular rooms in the house. Lynda Reeves and the H&H team designed the space to be light-filled, with neutrals, linens, classic furniture and hits of fanciful pattern and colour. Citrine-hued drapes in a delicate floral print add a youthful punch of colour which frame the beautiful french doors.

Vote for your favourite dining rooms in our gallery honouring House & Home’s 25th anniversary.

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

Soften dining lighting with a paper pendant.

Dark chocolate walls and dining table, along with a rich walnut herringbone patterned floor, faux coral table centrepieces and ultra modern photographs by Anthony Goicolea work together to create an exotic, showstopping room.

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

Play with scale.

The wall’s rich tone gives the space warmth without dampening its light, airy feel. A picnic-style table paired with boxy wicker chairs evokes the pleasure of dining al fresco, while luxe accents, such as metallic and grey-velvet pillows, keep the look elegant.

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

Glam up a dining room with a jeweled chandelier.

This Vancouver dining room has some punchy accents like an apple-green accent wall, mismatched chairs, green trellis fabric and a glamorous light fixture with sparkling jewels. Chandeliers are an easy way to add a feminine touch to a room.

Draw attention to high ceilings.

With every piece of furniture representing a different style, this living room seamlessly mixes feminine flourishes and minimalist modern lines. The absence of a rug keeps the look sparse and showcases the beautiful grey hardwood floors.

Get more Decorating To Sell tips in our photo gallery.

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

Try a whimsical chandelier instead of a traditional version.

This living room is flooded with light from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Homeowner and designer Ashley Botten’s challenge was to create a cosy, inviting space for her young family; she accomplished that with grey-green walls, softly hanging grey drapes and ethnic textiles.

Watch a tour of this home on H&H Online TV.

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

Have fun with table lamps.

The geometric trellis print on the vintage bergere chairs is understated but strong enough to pleasantly play off the striped tabletop. An eclectic mix of objects, including a sculptural wood-branch lamp, gives the seating area storied appeal.

To see more of of this stunning bedroom makeover, watch an Online TV tour and see our photo gallery.

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

Add texture and warmth with wood accents.

This spooled-wood floor lamp is the perfect finishing touch to this neutral living room. The linen sofa, wood coffee table base, chair upholstery and wood lamp all warm up the beige colour palette.

Illuminate a traditional room with a shaded chandelier.

In this grand yet cosy living room, a custom chandelier with shades on each bulb punctuates the elegance of the room. A showstopping fireplace, ornate mirror and reclaimed wood ceilings also add to the grandeur.

Reflect a room's shape with lighting.

Simple wing chairs in the library of this Georgian Bay cottage are cosy perches for reading and relaxing. A compass inlaid in the wood flooring plays up the northern theme.

See more beautiful interiors with gorgeous flooring in our photo gallery.

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

Accent a window with lighting.

This mid-century living room window got an instant update with dramatic black paint. No need to hide this beauty behind drapery; homeowner Tanya Linton chose a demure roller blind instead to let the black frame take centre stage.

See the “before” photo in our Stylish Family Home Makeover gallery. For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery, plus learn more Quick Home Makeover Tips.

Swap a ceiling fixture for an oversized floor lamp.

The Arco lamp by Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni transforms the ceiling light into a freestanding floor piece. Its strong aesthetic presence and space-age connotations makes it a favourite in high-style living and office spaces.

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

Pair reading chairs with floor lamps.

In this cosy corner, drapery sporting a classic bright-red tartan forms an arresting backdrop for a wide armless chair covered in moody blue-green plaid. A toss pillow picks up on the tones of both main tartans, while a throw featuring large grey and white checks tempers it all. Rounding out the British look are leather riding boots and a well-groomed white Westie borrowed from former H&H editor Stephanie White.

See more pets in our Pets & Interiors photo gallery.

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

Balance feminine decor with an industrial lamp.

In this living room design, oversized, painted stripes visually raise the ceiling without looking busy. The large, playful floor lamp lends a fresh, fun perspective. A lively range of purple and brown hues, combined with a mixture of striped and floral patterns, also adds a lighthearted note.

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

Save money by hanging an inexpensive dining pendant in a bedroom.

Assistant style editor Reiko Caron’s pick — Farrow & Ball’s Setting Plaster (231) — is a more feminine alternative to beige, that’s not too sweet. Depending on the light, this pale hue can read as a muddy peach to a pinkish-beige. Try it in a bedroom or in a powder room, where its rosy undertone will cast a warm glow.

See more Editors’ Favourite Fall Paint Colours in our photo gallery, more lighting options in our Statement Lighting photo gallery, plus more tips on Decorating With Pink.

Clamp a pendant to an overhead shelf for easy reading.

In this fun bedroom, a pendant light hung from a bookshelf with a clamp is a perfect small-space solution when there may not be room for a table or floor lamp. And again, the height can be easily adjusted.

Add a feminine touch with a glass lamp.

Natural elements such as grasscloth wallcoverings, branch-shaped glass lamp and faux bois throw cushions in soft, watery hues add a calm and spa-like feeling to this pretty bedroom.

Learn how to rewire a vintage lamp in this video.

See more style trends in the January 2009 issue.

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

Experiment with bold black lighting in a bathroom.

Dramatic iron sconces, a Moroccan-inspired mirror and reflective drawer unit lend a styled look to this simple white bathroom. White subway tiles are classic, but add contrast with bold black lighting — the two extremes will pop.

Soften vanity lighting with shades.

Antler sconces and cabinet pulls made from oyster harvesting sticks add a rustic touch. High windows that face the front of the building allow for plenty of light without compromising privacy.

See more of this chic lakeside cottage in the May 2008 issue. 

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery. Plus, for more bathroom decorating ideas, check out our gallery of 20 Small Bathrooms.