When homeowners look to light their rooms, they often hit the main bases: an overhead light in the exact centre of the room, a lamp out towards the sides for special occasions, a night light plugged in to electrical sockets for sleepwalkers.

But as specialist lighting provider DOCA points out, practical lighting in the main working areas is also important.

And whether it's an off-centre feature light to illuminate the dinner table or strong, clear lighting for fiddling around in the garage, it's important to think about how a room is used before you get stuck in with the fixtures and fittings.

"Firstly, think about having enough practical lighting in the main working areas," says DOCA's business development manager, Sara Wells. "But in addition, there is a trend to cluster pendant lights together over eating and or island areas, coupled with good main lighting."

The trend for layered lighting is one tipped to be popular already this year by interior designer Jo Hamilton, who also notes that the different way we use a room during the evening or daytime demands different kinds of lighting.

"I always talk about layers of light and how we need to have different types of light even just in one room," she says. "You might be running around after children in the morning, then you might have friends for lunch, then you might have a glass of wine and bit of romance, or friends over for dinner - so you need the light to be really versatile."

To do so, she recommends not just the savvy installation of various types of light, but also switches and sockets used to good effect. A dimmer switch can control an overhead light with a simple installation, meaning a homeowner can adjust their lighting as per their needs or mood.