HOME EDITION
Illuminate your home to create warm, inviting spaces that combat seasonal darkness and enhance mood, says interior designer Catherine Harhalakis LIGHT WORKS
F or me, the winter months are all about embracing the seasonal change and ensuring there is a thoughtful approach to lighting in our homes. As the days grow shorter, lighting design is key during these months to transform our living spaces from cold and stark to comfortable and welcoming. Creating layers of light is crucial. Each room needs its own approach, using a balance of different types of lighting. Pay attention to the function of the room, how much natural light it gets and its decorative style. The lighting plan for a kitchen or bathroom is very different from a living room or bedroom. The layers can be broken down into three main areas: ambient, task and accent lighting. Ambient lighting provides overall illumination through ceiling fixtures, track lighting or recessed lights. Task lighting is more focused and illuminates specific activities; examples include reading lamps, desk lamps, under-cabinet kitchen lights or pendants over a kitchen island, and adjustable options allow you to direct light precisely where you need it. Accent lighting highlights architectural features or artwork, providing atmosphere and depth. For this, you can use wall lights, picture lights or strategically placed lamps. Table and floor lamps are my favourites. They’re decorative and beautiful to look at, as well as providing a mid- level layer of light and glow. They can be positioned in different parts of a room to light dark areas, or even placed behind a sofa or armchair for reading. A glossy ceramic or a glass lamp base will reflect light too. Think about the type of shade and the lining – if it’s opaque or translucent – as this will affect whether the light filters out or whether it glows. Window treatments Think about how the natural light informs a space. In darker, north-facing rooms, consider incorporating high-gloss, metallic or lacquered surfaces that will reflect and help lift light levels. A well-placed mirror can bounce light around a room, making the space feel larger and brighter on dark winter days. Maximising the amount of light that comes into a space is important, but so is how you choose to dress a window. In
• Fit multiple lamps to a five-amp circuit for one-switch control. • Dimmer switches let you control lighting levels in the same room. • Consider the colour and wattage of light bulbs. Use higher-wattage bulbs for task lighting and lower wattage in lamps. • Light colour is measured in kelvins – the higher the colour temperature, the whiter it looks. In traditional homes, 2,700K is popular; in contemporary spaces, go for 3,000K. • Downlights can be set into the ceiling and are unobtrusive. Think about the room’s layout and try to locate them where they’re needed, rather than in a grid across the ceiling. • LED light strips can be recessed into shelving, architraves and skirting boards to accentuate the clean lines of a room. Lighting tips
winter, undressed windows become harsh, dark surfaces. Covering them with curtains or a blind in a beautiful fabric with pattern or texture adds another layer of comfort and warmth to the room. Consider the positioning of the curtain or blind. If you have space, fit the pole so the curtains can draw back beyond the window. Similarly, with Roman blinds, install them above the window so they draw up without blocking any daylight.
BRIGHT IDEAS Mixing different lighting types is the secret to creating ambience in any room
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK JANUARY 2025 85
Powered by FlippingBook