Lighting Winter: 3 Tips for a Cosy Glow

Lighting Winter: 3 Tips for a Cosy Glow

There’s something about winter’s moody skies, temperamental weather, and darkening afternoons that we can’t help but find appealing. True, it’s much more appealing from the other side of a pane of glass – one framed by thick and cosy curtains ready to ward off the cold when it grows a little too snappy, and perhaps a comfortable spot for a good book – but, whatever the time of day, winter’s dingier side certainly sets a tone.

But things can get a little blue without the right approach. The home can feel stuck in that daytime dimness that, if left unchecked, makes the rooms of the home feel a little dingy. The main light tends to drown everything in a very homogenous white or warm glow and reflect too brightly in the windows, creating a cycle of turning-on and turning-off that keeps going until it’s finally dark enough to justify drawing the curtains.

Decorative lighting is everything when it comes to giving winter its colour and warmth. Below, we list our five most trusted tips for lighting the home throughout the darker days this winter.

Cosy lighting and furnishings are paramount to make those Winter months feel comforting and warm.

Introduce one or two mirrors opposite windows

We want our rooms to feel illuminated but, as we mentioned above, the main lights are quite effective at washing out a room – making it feel flat and uniformly lit. But, no matter how dim it is outside at midday on a Wednesday, most of us would rather not resort to just the table lamps – at least not before the sun starts to set.

One of the best things we can do is eek out as much daylight as possible, even if it is a grey glare from the clouds. Clever positioning of mirrors is highly effective at bouncing more natural light throughout the room, giving a similar look that you would achieve in a double- or triple-aspect room.

Positioning a lamp beneath your primary mirror will help to get the very most out of its tactical positioning and help the room feel brighter throughout the course of the day, without too much reliance on artificial lighting.

Don’t underestimate the warming value of layered decorative lights

There is nothing quite like a home lit from within by decorative lighting – lamps that act as art pieces and focal points as much as they do practical items. Varying height and size is key, and integrating plenty of contrasting lamp bases will mean that the art of these pieces isn’t lost behind the glow they emit.

For those committed to the idea of enveloping the rooms in layered light, linking everything to a control device – a lighting app on your phone or tablet, for instance, is a great way to save on time. Then again, who doesn’t enjoy the routine of wandering from room to room as the last of the light disappears outside, switching on lamps and drawing the curtains for another restful evening indoors?

Either way, this is the best way to create lighting that can transition from early evening to mid-evening to that nearly-time-for-bed hour. Dimmers on your overheads work well too, but they aren’t as enveloping – and that’s exactly what we all need at this time of year.

Embrace task lighting

The home office can be a big victim to the winter weather. In a shared office, the lighting is kept bright and consistent and, at the risk of using too corporate a phrase, productive. This isn’t typically the way we light our homes, so maintaining that ‘get it done’ mindset when the 4pm slump hits (and, with it, the very last of the daylight).

Task lighting is one of the most overlooked forms of lighting – it’s not as design-conscious as decorative lighting, or as versatile as ambient lighting. But it’s highly effective not just when it comes to training your focus and creating a bright ‘bubble’ in which you can work while warding off that wintry chill that can seep into the home throughout the course of the day.

Steer clear of the stark, white bulbs. Warmer lighting has a much nicer effect, particularly on the cooler days – and particularly when you’re grounded in one space, focusing on work for a few hours straight.

Lighting can do a huge amount of the heavy lifting, not just from a design perspective but for the mood and ambiance in your home. Winter days can drag, particularly when they are overcast or dreary, but the right lighting and tricks can change everything, giving your home an inviting look whether it’s time for work, socialising, or resting.