Clever Winter Lighting Ideas to Keep You Warm and Cosy
Lighting is a key element of interior design, but also the most often overlooked feature in a home. It creates mood, provides character, highlights important elements of the room and enhances texture. As the days turn shorter and daylight is scarce, artificial lighting takes on a lead role in keeping our homes warm and cosy and helping us beat the winter blues.
Don’t know where to start? Fret not, we’ve got you covered! With some thoughtful planning and a few tips from our team of professionals, you will learn just how easy you can turn your home into a snug winter retreat this season.
More is More – if you know how to layer it
Image source: My Scandinavian Blog
Guzzini Baobab Table Lamp £770.00
Ceiling Spider Lamp With Seven Fixed Arms By Les Editions, Serge Mouille £6,050.00
If you are looking to brighten up your home during dark winter days, start layering the lighting. Don’t fall for the trap of using a single, intense light source that will wash the entire room with flat light, but instead create a lighting scheme and scatter multiple fixtures to highlight different areas of the space. A layered scheme will produce a soft, flattering look and help you get over the lost daylight hours in no time.
Focus on three different levels: ceiling, walls, and tables.
Hang your central ceiling light low, or use multiple pendants to create interest around the dining area and coffee table. Low positioned ceiling lights will grant you a focused, more private ambiance, encourage conversations, support contemplating, and finally, let you enjoy the design of the fixture itself in a way you would never be able to if the lighting was mounted high above your head.
Image credit: Regan Baker Design
Avi Modern Industrial Chandelier Mid Century Modernist Ceiling Lamp 8 Light £675.00
Make use of wall sconces, floor lamps, and table lamps to create a hyggelig effect. If you are lucky enough to score a beautiful piece with character, it will quickly find its way into the spotlight and become a focal point of the room even when it’s switched off.
Mid Century Ceramic Table Lamp Sweden £650.00
Daum Table Lamp With Pucci Lamp Shade £1,100.00
Pair Of Arteluce “Diva 1” Wall Sconces 1980´S £900.00
Mid Century Fleur De Lys Wall Lamp £450.00
Take Notes from Scandinavians
When looking for tips on how to make the most of artificial lighting, there’s no better source of wisdom than Scandinavians. Due to their extremely long and dark winters with almost no natural light at all, Scandinavians had to master their winter lighting to be able to… well, stay sane. And they did it with such style!
Image credit: @inredabevara
Ball Lamp Green Gepo £180.00
Wall Mounted Task Lamp By Jacobus Circa 1930s £465.00
The most important takeaway here is to limit central lighting and focus on the atmosphere rather than illumination. Scandinavians take pride in the effortless look of their interiors, designed to pamper wellbeing and provide a pleasant ambiance full of warmth and natural materials.
Together with floor lamps, pendants are by far the most popular lighting choice among Nordics as they are usually inexpensive and very flexible to use. If you are looking to add a touch of Scandi into your home through lighting, take a glimpse at our collection of Scandinavian-designed lights bellow.
Mid Century Table Lamp From Asea Belysning £715.00
Danish Pendant Mid Century Lamp 1970’S £330.00
2 Danish Pendants In White With Terra Accent £605.00
Set Flower Pot Pendants By Verner Panton £450.00
Vintage Design Floor Lamp Panthella By Verner Panton For Louis Poulsen, 1970s £850.00
Pair Of Fun 2 Dm Ceiling Lamp By Verner Panton £1,408.73
Keep the Candle Lit
…the spring will be here soon! But while we’re waiting, let’s enjoy the charm of snug winter nights with shimmering candlelight. A flickering candle that brightens up a table or a sideboard is by far the most effective way for setting a relaxed mood in your living space, but also a friendly reminder to slow things down a notch and enjoy the little moments. Make use of old-school candelabras and oriental lanterns and watch the magic unfolds!
Image source: Daily Dream Decor
Antique Pair French Ormolu Cherub Candelabra Table Lamps C1870 £1,750.00
Auria Lantern Light Gold 33 Cm £68.00
Licia Lantern Nature 49 Cm £119.00
Romantic String Lights with Magical Effect
Once associated with the Christmas season exclusively, string and fairy lights are now a more permanent mood lighting option to consider. They might not be the best choice for illumination, but with their endless creative potentials, fairy lights can work wonders in creating a magical, festive season a year around.
Led Mason Jar String Fairy Lights £15.95
Reflect Effect
Use mirrors and reflecting surfaces to bounce off the light across the room and maximise its effect. The mirrors will double all the light you put against them and let you play around with its twinkle.
Warm Glow
Switch light bulbs for ones that mimic natural sunlight and the room will instantly become homier and more cheerful.
Tips for Renters
If you live in a rental and you are not so hyped about the idea of investing heavily in someone else’s apartment (or perhaps you are not allowed to make any changes), our advice is to turn to the table and floor lamps as a solution for fighting the winter blues. They are portable, don’t leave any damage behind and the effect you can achieve with a quality statement lamp is just incredible! Take a look!
Image source: Domino
Hollywood Regency Table Lamp In Brass And Mirror Glass, 1970s £525.00
An Art Deco French Light £160.00
Opaline & Brass Table Lamp, 1970s £315.00
Truth be told, no matter how brilliant it may be, no amount of artificial lighting can make up for lack of sunlight. But it can nonetheless help you boost your mood during the dark winter days and provide a place to snuggle up and feel good. And with lamps like these, it will also be a feast for the eyes!