A quirky rhino-head lamp makes a change from the ubiquitous stag's head. The downside is that you will need two to make an impact, which means it is quite pricey. Where: grahamandgreen.co.uk How much: £95
Does exactly what it says. Leave it on while the children have a bath and when it's time for lights out, red luminous dots will glow for about 20 minutes . Where: amazon.co.uk How much: £9.99
A pendant that looks like a giant golden bubble suspended in the air. Invest in a clear flex and it will look like it is seemingly hanging from nowhere. Where: bhs.co.uk, 0845 196 000 How much: £150
This one turns the cord into an eye-catching piece of design. It doesn't take up very much room so it will tuck into a little corner and add a bit of fun. Where: designhousestockholm.com How much: £198
Functional lamp available in two sizes, which has a stylish touch with a monochrome china shade which can be adjusted to any angle. Where: heals.co.uk How much: from £129
South African-born Heath Nash makes beautiful shades from old plastic bottles. The white ones would look wonderful in a flowerbed at night. Where: The Flower and Garden Company (020 8673 2480) How much: £395
Not enough people put wit into their interiors, so this pendant light by Lee Broom is the perfect antidote to that. Where: heals.co.uk, 08700 240 780 How much: from £300
Somehow this is old fashioned and modern at the same time. It almost seems as it if should be sitting on a home bar, but would look amazing on a chic table. Where: grahamandgreen.co.uk, 0845 130 6622 How much: £125
The mix of metal and wood is pleasing, the shade angles perfectly and the yellow cord is a lovely, subtle touch. Where: lauraashley.com, 0871 983 5999 How much: £125
These fittings work particularly well in the kitchen. Ideal if you're sick of those spot lights which are great for cooking but less great for atmosphere. Where: lightingmatters.co.uk How much: from £62.50 excl VAT
Made from fine bone china, this sweet little dog gives a warm ambient glow for children's bedrooms. There's also a cutsey rabbit or an owl to choose from. Where: olivelovesalfie.co.uk, 020 7241 4212 How much: £69.99
It's that old indoor/outdoor chestnut but with a witty twist as it's a proper standard lamp that will look great by your garden furniture. Where: netlighting.co.uk, 020 8952 3444 How much: £382.32
I'll declare an interest straight away. I have this hanging in a stairwell at the top of my house. It looks stunning. However, it's self-assembly and there are a lot of paper flowers to assemble. Where: ikea.com, 0845 355 1144 How much: £91.99
This comes in range of colours, including red, black and lime green, and makes a feature of the cord. Plus, it looks far more expensive than it actually is. Where: johnlewis.com, 08456 049049 How much: £35
There are plenty good of clip lights around, and this one is a great basic one. The shade swivels to allow directional lighting and it comes in black or white. Where: designshopuk.com, 0870 2424 128 How much: £45
Perfect in the bedroom, the kitchen or at the ends of the sofa as task lights. Extends to 50cm, which is quite a long reach. Where: rockettstgeorge.co.uk, 01444 253375 How much: £149
This light also comes in the guise of a giraffe and a monkey; a great change to pink fairy shades and football lamps. Where: childrenslighting.co.uk, 01943 608176 How much: £34.95
Davey Lighting began making marine lights in the 19th century. For something more traditional than industrial that will give a pretty soft light, try this. Where: davey-lighting.co.uk, 020 7351 2130 How much: £418
Designed to be hung in a cluster for maximum effect, this hand-blown Murano glass pendant works just as well on its own. Each one is made to order. Where: baroncellidesign.com, 020 7720 6556 How much: £2,120
It's almost cartoonish in its simplicity which adds to the appeal. Made with a rubber joint which means you can angle it just so. Where: madeindesign.co.uk, 020 7692 4001 How much: £162
This icon of French industrial art was designed by Jean-Louis Domecq in 1950 with two articulated arms so it can be adjusted at height and angle. Where: conranshop.co.uk, 0844 848 4000 How much: £235
A pretty wall lamp that works really well either side of the bed in boutique-hotel style. It will leave room on your bedside table for all those unread books. Where: gardentrading.co.uk, 0845 608 4448 How much: £34
Fitted with a 50W halogen bulb, this will give out plenty of light. It plugs into a socket so doesn't need to be wired into the wall. Where: childrenslighting.co.uk, 01943 608176 How much: £36.95
Designed by Ferdi Giardini, these are the outdoor version of his glass tubular lights. They almost disappear in planting and looking pleasingly minimal. Where: nest.co.uk, 0114 433000 How much: £578
The lighting in the latest Danish series Borgen is fabulous. This piece is one of the best that features in the show. Where: ivor-innes.co.uk, 01482 649271 How much: £5,155
This lamp has already become a modern classic. The high-gloss lacquer gives a fresh twist on the classic base and, in shocking pink, it's fabulous. Where: habitat.co.uk, 0844 499486 How much: £60
An original Bauhaus design, this has a swivel joint but its curved stem is more friendly than the classic Anglepoise. Where: nest.co.uk, 0114 243 3000 How much: £655
Inspired by a winebar in Marseille, these pretty lamps would be perfect for the dining room or eating part of the kitchen when you have friends over for supper. Where: thefrenchhouse.net How much: £125
Designed by new talent Lauren Moriarty, this is made from a double layer of plastics giving the effect of butterflies flapping their wings. Where: notonthehighstreet.com How much: £39
There is basically nothing this man hasn't designed. Here he turns to outdoor lighting. Hang it from a pergola or a tree and put your table underneath. Where: flos.com How much: £1,349
This is one of Scandinavian designer Alvar Aalto's classic piece. The light is diffused by the brass elements, giving a softer glow than most pendants. Where: skandium.com, 020 7584 2066 How much: £756
This quirky lamp is made from a single folded sheet of steel. It combines a nostalgic shape and old-fashioned cable with ultra-modern materials. Where: yoox.com or ring the showroom on 020 7608 0990 How much: £120
Why not celebrate the humble light bulb? This slightly retro yet actually quite modern lamp has a dimmer for ambience. Where: macandmacinteriors.com, 01252 717771 How much: £326
Great as a bedside lamp. If you don't have the wiring, just screw it to the wall and plug the flex into a socket. Winston Churchill was a big Bestlite fan. Where: geoffreyharris.co.uk, 0808 159 6241 How much: £369
A great night light for children who can relax themselves to sleep with something that's more fun than counting sheep. Where: mathmos.com, 01202 620 114 How much: £49
Wall lighting in a garden needs to be both pretty and functional. This slightly retro, Danish design fits the bill. Where: outdoorlightingonline.co.uk, 01943 608176 How much: £64.95
This simple light made from hand-blown glass would certainly add drama to a kitchen or over a dinner table. Where: macandmacinteriors.co.uk, 01252 717771 How much: £141
Designed by Sebastian Wrong for Flos, this lamp is incorporated into the wall. It's clever, funny and beautiful. There's also a table version. Where: flos.com How much: £513 for the small and £913 for the large
Yes, it's called a floor lamp, but it's much more of a task light as the shade is small and the resulting light is too focused to do anything other than read by. Comes in slate or clay colours. Where: gardentrading.co.uk How much: £150
Imagine a medieval flaming sconce given a 21st-century makeover. This one can also be tilted to the angle you want. Where: lightingathome.co.uk, 0161 839 5900 How much: £147
Reminiscent of the beautiful drawings by Oliver Jeffers in his book How to Catch a Star, this light is rather sweet. Where: massivelighting.co.uk, 0161 839 5900 How much: £79.20
Part of lighting specialist John Cullen's new range, this gives off a warm white light. And they light a border beautifully as they blend into the planting. Where: johncullenlighting.co.uk, 020 7371 9000 How much: £160
This pendant by Dar Lighting plays a joke in an understated way. The lights inside can be adjusted to suit your decor. Where: castlegatelights.co.uk, 01642 714 444 How much: £642
Sometimes we all play a little safe with our patterns, so why not have a look at Jonathan Adler's "happy chic" approach? Where: heals.co.uk, 08700 240 780 How much: £275
The industrial look is on trend at the moment and this gorgeous lamp made from metal and wood would make a great kitchen task light. Where: rockettstgeorge.co.uk, 01444 253375 How much: £79
Who are we to argue with its title? And for an industrial-style light this is well-priced so three cheers for affordable trend-setting. Where: rockettstgeorge.co.uk, 01444 253375 How much: £59
One for the boys (of all ages), this monochrome car provides an unusual form of lighting. There's a helicopter too. Where: castlegatelights.co.uk, 01642 714444 How much: £135.60
From Fatboy, the creator of those awfully comfortable beanbag/cushions comes this rather fun outdoor light, which glows all over. Available in two sizes. Where: fatboy.com How much: £359
If you've spent all your money on a fabulous sofa then this simple glass shade will do a nice job of lighting it for you. Where: bhs.co.uk, 0845 196 0000 How much: £25
This is a beautiful but understated lamp from The White Company. The distressed, mirrored base will reflect the light around the room. Where: thewhitecompany.com, 0844 7364222 How much: £120
Whether it’s a chic shade or the perfect pendant, Kate Watson-Smyth gets the mood just right
Independent