Big Light v Little Lights: gift yourself the cosy ambience you need..

This year, a TikTok trend saw Gen Z and Millennials expressing a common disdain for the bright, harsh lighting you get from the main ‘big light’ in rooms, especially in open-plan kitchen/living rooms, and bedrooms. It’s something we have written about before, so it’s nice to see the younger generation finally getting with the programme.

The big, central light is great for when you want to undertake tasks that need strong light, such as vacuuming, dusting or ironing, but it’s not conducive to more relaxing times, such as relaxing with a Netflix binge, entertaining or simply having a moment to oneself. It’s also really not flattering – all the downward light casting shadows can make even a supermodel look tired.

In addition, turning down the lights into the evening supports our natural circadian rhythm, supporting our bodies as we settle into our sleep cycle.

Matthew Currington, technical director at The Lighting Superstore has six tips for using ambient lighting in both an aesthetically pleasing an smart way, so you can banish the big light to task times only.

Scatter lighting

To achieve the ultimate ambient interior, don’t be afraid to generously scatter lighting around the room, but be sure to do so in layers.

Use all corners of the room, both high and low. Use a mixture of floor lamps, table lamps and wall sconces to layer your lighting effectively. Combining different types of lighting will create a balanced and inviting ambiance in your home.

Place floor lamps in dark corners, illuminate the lower shelf of a bookcase with a table lamp and even use LED strip lighting along shelves or cabinets, or along the back of the TV. If you have a favorite place to sit and read, make sure you light this area from above (a tall table lamp or floor lamp) so you can have the option for this form of relaxation at any time.

You can use carefully placed lighting to enhance your existing décor; if you have indoor plants, especially large leaf varieties like monstera or palms, place a small light behind them on a table. The shadows cast by the leaves will create interesting, dappled patterns, adding a cosy and visually appealing touch to your space. 

Try unusual lighting

To create something unique and fun, try unusual lighting options, but remember to stick to warm tones. For example, some light bulbs come in different tones, casting a warm hue across the room. Opt for colours such as amber, rose, or soft gold to add a touch of elegance and warmth.

If you want to dazzle your guests, or even yourself, consider lights that cast a starry effect across the ceiling and walls. These can transform your space into a magical, enchanting environment. Star projectors and make for fun parties, or dinner conversations. These are wonderful in a child’s room too, of course, and gentler than a night light in many cases..

When choosing your lights, look for designs with interesting shapes or materials, such as rattan, paper, or fabric, to add texture and character to your space. 

Use mixed mediums

Artificial light can mimic flickering lights that flames emit, but nothing beats true candlelight. This trend is all about having an abundance of small lights, so remember to compliment your larger light features with candles that are scattered around the room.

Try candles of all different heights, shapes and sizes to create diversity throughout the space. Including a single scented candle is a great idea to add to the serenity of the space. Scents like lavender, eucalyptus and sandalwood are popular calming scents to enjoy before bedtime.

Consider smart lights

Smart lights are a fantastic option for transforming your home’s ambience, thanks to their wide range of colours and adjustable brightness levels to suit your mood and needs. While a cosy, ambient room is lovely, you’ll need sufficient light for activities like reading or doing your Sudoku.

With multiple small lights scattered around, it can be tiresome to turn each one on and off individually, especially if you have to navigate behind decorative features to reach the switches. Smart lights, however, can be controlled individually through an app, making this much easier.

Finally, while the big light is a no-go for this trend, it does provide essential lighting for tasks like finding something or working late at night. But if each small light is a smart light, they can seamlessly be switched from warm, ambient lighting to bright, task lighting when needed.

Take it outside

At the moment, when the weather allows and we’re all darting outside and wishing it was always like this, having a zone in which to relax and entertain, with scattered lighting creating a chill ambience, adds an extra layer of romance and enjoyment to the occasion. Choose strings of warm fairy lights, scatter rechargeable lamps across tables and throw in a couple of candles, too, the flickering light is very relaxing.

Eddie – Friday 28th June 2024. (Image used from marketing team).