At this point in the calendar, when darkness bookends our waking hours, it can feel like winter will never be over. This week’s Style Note looks at simple tweaks to our home lighting schemes which will bring a welcome lift to the ambience at home, as we patiently wait for the arrival of spring.
The way a room is lit will affect everything from the shadows cast to the mood and productivity of the people within it. To effectively create a lighting design for any room, practicality and aesthetics must be considered in equal measure.
Create a layered lighting scheme
The living room is where you will welcome the cosiness of shadows as you wind down for the evening, so design a layered lighting plan for this room, with a mix of lamps, overhead main lights and wall lights. Opting for more than one source of lighting will increase the versatility of the space. The overhead light is great for gloomy afternoons when the children are playing indoors, but will rob a room of its intimacy come the evening. Low lamps emitting soft light are perfect for a relaxed ambience but a well-positioned floor lamp is better for any detailed task where you don't want to strain your eyes. Don’t feel every lamp or shade in the room has to match – choose a mixture of materials for lamp bases and different fabrics and colours for lampshades for a more interesting look.
The difference between warm and cool lighting
Whether you want to focus on warm or cool lighting in a space depends on its intended use. Choose warmer tones for a relaxed ambience and brighter, whiter lights for task lighting or areas you want to feel more awake in. If you’re kitting out your home office, it might be best to opt for cool, bright lighting, as this is more likely to keep you alert and productive. Additionally, remember our tip on layering lighting – if your home office sits in a corner of your living room, try using a cool desk or standing lamp that can be turned off after the working day in favour of a predominantly warm and cosy lighting scheme.
Kitchen lighting that’s stylish and practical
Open plan areas such as kitchens require a range of light sources to delineate between areas and uses. Look for diversity and contrast so it doesn’t feel too clinical. While task lighting will be essential, add in options that lower the lighting when it’s time to eat or socialise. Remember that lighting is not purely a function of a room, but a feature too – one that is just as much a part of the décor as a piece of wall art or sculpture. An ornate chandelier or pendant light could be the difference between an average dining room or kitchen island area and a fabulous party venue. Of course, choose something that will tie in with your interior design scheme, but don’t be afraid to be bold.
Step into the light
Whether you’ve had dismal commute through fog, a wet dog walk or cold school run, coming home into the warm embrace of a well lit hallway cannot be beaten. For larger entranceways a simply dressed console table with a glowing table light will instantly lift the spirits. Avoid wall lights if space is tight, as they will become a hindrance when carrying large items in and out. However the added ceiling height around the staircase might allow for an luxurious pendant or hanging lantern to impress visitors.
Hibernate under cosy bedroom lights
During this season, when the temptation to hibernate is strong, a layered lighting scheme is perhaps more important in the bedroom than any other room of the house. Here we want brighter lights to wake us up and softer ambient light to prepare us for sleep. Chances are the big light will only illuminate the end or centre of the bed, which is no good for bedtime reading, so make sure your bedside tables have space for reading lights. If room is tight for a symmetrical arrangement of bedside tables and lamps, consider a floor lamp to one side which will cast a broader light than individual table lamps and offer a nice contemporary edge. Wall lights above the headboard offer a sophisticated look and create an atmosphere that’s more conducive to winding down at the end of the day. They are another great choice for when space is tight on the bedside tables. Don’t completely dismiss the idea of the big light though – it will come into its own when you are rummaging in the wardrobe or motivated for a little yoga on a gloomy winter morning.