Ambient lighting: The latest interiors trend to see you through the winter gloom
As the days get shorter and the nights draw in, the desire to make everything feel cosy gets stronger.
As the days get shorter and the nights draw in, the desire to make everything feel cosy gets stronger.
You’re probably already leaning into the season, insisting on wearing your winter coats and boots despite the temperature sitting between 14 and 18 degrees, and googling hearty soup recipes with gusto. But the real key to surviving the lack of sunlight in the coming months is the lighting in your home. We’re talking turning off the big light and filling it with warm ambient lamps and gadgets. And no, one little table lamp won’t do – this is a lighting overhaul.
The ‘ambient lighting’ trend is surging on social media. Videos with the hashtag #ambientlighting have reached over 170k in recent weeks, thanks to stylish interiors influencers like @drewfromladue sharing their lamp hauls. By playing with a mix of investment pieces and cheap and cheerful gadgets, you can create a warm, glowing space that will feel instantly more serene. Think lamps, LED strips, new bulbs and neon rods.
This isn’t just about aesthetics either. Studies have shown that lighting plays a major role in regulating our circadian rhythm, which governs sleep-wake cycles. Soft, warm, ambient lighting in the evening has been shown to promote relaxation and better sleep, while harsh, bright lighting late at night can disrupt circadian rhythms and lead to issues like insomnia and mood disturbances.
So if you’re mourning the summer we never had and dreading the darker mornings and evenings, pick a few of the lighting options below and layer to create your own cosy atmosphere.
