‘I'm a homes editor and here's why you need to give the Big Light a chance'
I've got a contender to add to the list of life’s certainties: death, taxes, and arguing about the Big Light.
For those unfamiliar with this debate (who are you because I’ve yet to meet anyone who doesn't have very strong opinions?) turning on the Big Light is the Marmite of family life. You either live with the big overhead light turned on and your home lit up like Piccadilly Circus, or you surround yourself with flickering, ambient lamplight and have been known to cry out when someone attempts to put the main light on.
In case you're interested, Gen Z are firmly anti-Big Light. At least if TikTok's anything to go by. According to a viral video with over 216,000 likes, there's only one rule and it's that you never, ever, ever use the Big Light.
I, however, am a Big Light believer. I'll happily have it on all evening long, basking in my light, bright home. I find it cheery. It's the main light and should be used as such. I don’t want to live like Dracula.
But, I'm in the minority, as a quick straw poll of team Good Housekeeping reveals. The opposition was strong, making me wonder whether this is a question that should be added to The Psychopath Test… What does it say about me, if everyone else is so vehemently against the Big Light?
I probably won't dwell on that, but, first, let's hear the case against.
The argument against the Big Light
As any good student will tell you, you need to know what you’re arguing against. So, I asked my colleagues why they loathe the Big Light.
Apparently, "overhead lighting is nobody's friend.” It’s also “too harsh, too intense, and simply too much.” Ouch.
“After a day in the office with headache-inducing overhead lighting, when I get home, I don’t want to still feel like I’m at the office. Ambiance is everything,” says Corin, our junior fashion editor.
Mel, our content production editor, agrees. “I hate the big light!! In the evenings, I just want pure calm and great ambience, so I light all my candles and turn on lamps with a warm yellow glow. And during the day I just open the blinds for max lighting. Honestly, why do we even need a big light?!”
"What psychopath sits in their house at night with a giant spotlight overhead?” says another incredulous colleague.
The one argument I was almost convinced by comes from our homes writer, Megan. "My partner and I are in happy agreement over our dislike of the big light,” she says. “Instead, we have a lamp next to the sofa that's rarely switched off and have fancy lights attached to the back of the TV which change colour depending on what's on screen.” Which does sound tempting for movie night, but not very practical if you want to do anything else.
Why they're wrong
Now it’s my turn. There are lots of reasons why you should give the Big Light a chance.
It doesn't have to be that bright
I'll start with an easy argument to debunk; my lights at home are not as bright as office lights. I’m not going to get into lux levels and lumens, because life is too short, but there are requirements for office brightness that don’t translate into domestic lightbulbs. Generally, the bulbs you pick up in the supermarket are duller – which is a good thing, because I agree, no one needs office-style lighting in their living room.
You're also free to customise your overhead light. Choose a darker shade that creates a slightly more mellow beam or invest in smart bulbs that you can adjust from your smartphone to take the edge off (or instruct Alexa to turn up when your partner leaves the room).
Seeing clearly is A. Good. Thing.
Secondly, and on a practical note, I want to see clearly when I’m putting on makeup, eating dinner, or really just doing anything at all that’s not simply watching the TV.
I like to sew and read in the evenings, and you can't do either without adequate lighting. I don’t want to land up in the opticians before my next scheduled appointment, which is in about two years, thank you very much.
It costs less
You can always rely on our household advice editor, Katie, for an excellent take, so I was pleased to hear she's on the right side of this debate. She told me that she discourages the use of lamps at home because “smaller desk lamps generally consume much more energy compared to a regular overhead light, as the bulbs are more powerful and brighter”.
There you go – using the Big Light should actually save you money, especially if you have several lamps on at once.
How to navigate the Big Light divide
If the Big Light is tearing your home apart, (one team mate told me she was “in an unspoken war of attrition”), I’ll leave you with the wise words of fellow Big Light fan and Good Housekeeping Institute head of content, Alison, who has a sensible approach. “My mum refuses to put the main light on, preferring a collection of dim lamps and candlelight – when I visit, it feels like I'm living in Wolf Hall.
“My housemate and I are both okay with the Big Light when it's used for beauty admin and tasks you have to actually see for – dyeing your roots, painting nails, plucking your eyebrows – but the rule is, if you're going to put it on, you have to give the other person advance warning by announcing ‘I'm going to turn the big light on’, so you don't shock them.” Sensible.
And just in case I’ve still not convinced you of the merits of a Big Light, here are some GHI Approved cordless lamps to help you achieve that desired ambience without cables ruining the vibe. You're welcome.
Swan Neck Rechargeable Wall Fitting
Trindle Rechargeable Table Lamp
Harris Portable Lamp
Colby Rechargeable Lamp
Tube Cordless Table Lamp
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