Lighting Your Home for the Autumn Months
As September has arrived, you’ve probably noticed the nights are drawing in already and you probably can no longer rely on natural light to carry out your usual morning tasks. As a result, most of us will be turning on the lights earlier and more frequently than we have been – which is why it is a good idea to think about seasonal lighting.
With natural light in increasingly short supply in the autumn, it can be tempting to compensate by turning to overhead fittings to flood your rooms with as much indoor light as possible. However, these can cast quite a flat light, and their crispness and brightness can feel out of step with the season.
Simple Tips
Rather than relying just on one light in the centre of the room, we suggest utilising as many light sources as possible. Table lamps and floor lamps, for example, are great. These different light sources contribute to the creation of pools of light that create a welcoming atmosphere and warmth – and you can reposition these around your home where needed for added lighting!
Although it may seem like a simple suggestion, putting your lights on a dimmer may radically transform your room. These dimmers allow you to customise the amount of light that floods the space based on your mood as well as the amount of natural light available outside.
Shade and shadow should also be considered to add depth and drama. The central ceiling light may be a great way to experiment with shadows, either by selecting a design with rattan/woven textures that allow light to show through, or by embracing a chandelier that reflects light patterns around the room.
Changing lampshades with the seasons is also a good way to freshen up a room and choosing a pale one for winter will release more light. Alternatively, while many people find the naked bulb a look that is too industrial for most living rooms, there are more frosted globe bulbs available now which give a softer light. Some, with metal at the back can act as a reflector and will push back more light.
Task and Ambient Lamps
Task Lights are a great addition at the end of the sofa or by an armchair so you can see what button you are pressing on the remote or the page you are reading in a book when there is no natural light. This doesn’t have to be a super bright bulb but the dimmer it is the closer it needs to be to the thing you are trying to see.
Angled lamps are good for this as you can bring them nearer or change the angle of the beam.
For more general ambient light, it’s best to opt for a table lamp. These lamps tend to be more decorative in shape, with a shade and you can’t change the angle of it. A pale fabric shade will diffuse the light gently all around as opposed to a dark one which will keep it more focused up and down. If you have a bright bulb this may be enough to read by, particularly if you have several dotted around the room at different heights.
Finally a floor lamp can do both these jobs depending on the style you choose. Floor lights are also good if table space is limited. If you don’t have enough room for a table at the end of the sofa for example a tall, thin floor lamp is the one to choose.
Focus on Colour
Another important element of autumn lighting design is how warm your home feels – and when it comes to lighting, every light source has a corresponding colour temperature. This is measured in degrees Kelvin and ranges from lights with a bluer tone, which feel cooler, to warmer-hued lights with more red in them.
Redder light feels richer and cosier, but it also has a physiological effect as your body will release more melatonin, which helps you relax and wind down for sleep. Light at the bluer end of the spectrum, on the other hand, mimics a sunny day and makes your body feel more alert – worth remembering for a gloomy Monday morning.
What’s more, all of your light sources will pass through shades and bounce off walls. So adding a splash of colour to a room will make it feel warmer or cooler. For warm lighting in autumn hues, try introducing some copper, gold or brass. These lovely warm hues are perfect for sleek lampshades and accessories in contemporary urban interiors, but it also looks equally appropriate in traditional country homes.
The Light Company
As you can see, adjusting your home’s lighting in autumn needn’t be complex. By simply keeping the idea of warmth in mind – choosing warm colours, layering natural materials and moving your lamps around the home – you’ll soon create a cosy glow to keep the autumnal gloom at bay.
The Light Company stocks a huge range of all types of lights and lamps for all seasons including autumn. Check out our full range here.
