Concrete Lighting

What concrete is and why it suits a light

Concrete is a mix of cement, sand, fine aggregate and water that sets hard as it cures. In lighting it is usually cast into a mould, and the surface can carry small pinholes and gentle shifts in tone, so two pieces are rarely identical. It is dense and cool to the touch, and it reads as calm rather than fussy, which is why it sits so easily in modern and industrial rooms alike.

Paired with light, that density becomes a strength. Because concrete is opaque, a concrete shade sends light down and out in a defined pool, while a concrete base keeps a lamp steady on a table or shelf.

Concrete pendant lights for kitchens and dining rooms

Some of our lights are concrete pendant lights, and they come into their own over a kitchen island, a breakfast bar or a dining table. A row of two or three small pendants gives even light along an island, while one larger shade suits a round table. You will also find a few cluster pendants, which gather several shades at one ceiling point for a fuller look over a table or in a hallway.

As a guide, hang a pendant so its lowest point sits around 75 to 85 cm above a table or worktop, and leave at least 60 cm between shades in a row.

Concrete table lamps and wall lights

A concrete table lamp makes good use of the material's weight, because the base stays put on a bedside table, a desk or a sideboard. We have a few of them, alongside a few concrete wall lights for reading corners, hallways and either side of a bed.

For outside, you will also find a few outdoor wall lights and spotlights in concrete, and some of our lights are rated IP65, meaning they are sealed against dust and protected from jets of water. In a bathroom, choose only a light rated IP44 or above, and check the rating before you buy.

Choosing a concrete lamp

Start with size. Many of our concrete lights are small, which suits a side table, a short run over an island or a compact hallway, while a few medium pieces carry more presence over a dining table or in a larger room. As a rough rule, a pendant shade over a table looks right at about a third to half the table's width.

Then look at the bulb. Some take a standard E27 bulb, some a GU10 and a few a G9, so you can choose the brightness and colour temperature you want; a few have integrated LEDs instead, and a few give a warm white light. Many are dimmable, so a living room or dining room can move from bright to low as the evening goes on. Mains fittings should be installed by a qualified electrician.

Colours, finishes and pairings

Grey is the colour concrete brings to mind, and many of our lights are grey, while many are white, which lightens the look in a bright kitchen. You will also find a few in red, black or a mix of colours, a few with a matt finish, and a few square and round designs. Some pair concrete with metal, and a few add opal glass, which diffuses light softly and contrasts well with the concrete.

Concrete sits well beside wood, linen, brushed metal and plants. If a room already has plenty of hard surfaces, a white or coloured piece keeps it from feeling cold.

Caring for concrete lighting

Switch off and let the bulb cool before you clean. Dust concrete with a dry, soft cloth or a soft brush, which lifts dust from small pinholes without scratching. Avoid soaking it, because concrete is porous and water or cleaning sprays can leave marks. For a stubborn spot, use a barely damp cloth with a drop of mild soap, then dry it straight away.

Keep harsh or acidic cleaners away from the surface, as they can stain or etch it. Outdoor lights can be wiped the same way after a spell of bad weather.