Wondering how to brighten your home when winter rolls around? The year’s coolest months often feel like the longest—especially once the holiday decorations come down. You may be aware of light therapy lamps. While they may or may not help with mood, their clinical brightness is unlikely to win you any points in the decor department. But is there anything else you can do to brighten your home while you wait for warmer weather?
By the bed: an Original BTC x Beata Heuman Alma Wall Light in Seaweed.
We spoke to Charlie Bowles, a director at Original BTC. Bowles’ father Peter established the lighting brand more than three decades ago. And today Charlie helps develop the company’s offerings—aiming to ensure they are innovative, high quality and embody timeless design. “We’re dedicated to creating exceptional lighting for both residential and commercial spaces,” Bowles explains. He adds that the company places “a strong emphasis on skilled manufacturing that honors traditional craftsmanship while embracing contemporary design.” But what are his suggestions for lightening up during the colder months?
Brighten Your Home with Good Distribution
So what’s an error many people make when it comes to lighting their homes for winter? “One common mistake is relying on a single, bright light source in the center of a room or using overly bright spotlights,” says Bowles. “This approach can create harsh shadows and an unbalanced feel.” Fortunately, there is a solution. “Instead, you should aim to create well-lit areas for specific tasks, such as food preparation in the kitchen or reading in the living room. Layering your lighting with a mix of ambient, task, and accent lights can help achieve this balance.”
Adjusting the Brightness to Create the Right Energy
Bowles says that when it comes to keeping your home bright enough to fight the doldrums, bulb brightness is crucial. “During the day, brighter lights can help mimic the feel of natural daylight, boosting energy and focus,” he explains. However, living in light that bright all the time could become a challenge. “In the evening, you’ll want the ability to reduce brightness to promote relaxation. This can be achieved through dimmers or by creating zones of lighting that can be controlled independently.” While this increases your lighting flexibility year-round, it is especially important when lights are standing in for the sun while the days are shorter. “By adjusting your indoor lighting to complement the natural light—or lack thereof—you enhance the comfort and functionality of your living space during the darker months.”
Using a Gentler Glow to Brighten Your Home
“In the winter, with longer evenings, creating a sparkly, magical ambiance in your space can be wonderfully uplifting,” Bowles says. If you’re a fan of decorating for the holidays, this might mean turning on a holiday tree or stringing up some lighted garlands. But what about when all that is packed up until next year? “Consider the use of lower-level lighting, like table lamps and floor lights, strategically placed around the room,” he suggests. “These softer light sources can transform your space into a cozy, relaxed haven.”
Also, much like with a campfire or fireplace, light from below can alter the mood of a space. “Turning off the main ceiling lights and relying on these gentler glows not only adds a sense of warmth but also creates intriguing shadows and highlights, enhancing the character of your room,” says Bowles. And if you can connect these lights to a dimmer, Bowles recommends that, as well. You’ll be that much better prepared “to adjust the ambiance to your mood.”
Images courtesy Original BTC. Follow them on Instagram: @originalBTC.
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