We’re proud to host our very own Festival of Light every autumn, celebrated this year from 10 to 31 October, to showcase the world’s most exquisite lighting brands and designers. Not only that, but it coincides with the changing of the seasons, when the days get shorter and the evenings get darker. After a long, hot summer, the annual event provides a chance to cosy up and hunker down at home, and our seventh lighting extravaganza is sure to help you get your light just right.
Here, our lighting buyer Claire Anstey rounds-up the brightest ideas for autumnal lighting, whether you’re looking for focus and concentration in a home office, or rest and relaxation in a living room.
It’s time to switch it up.
Working from home
As we continue to straddle working from home and going into the office, the spaces we’ve carved out for getting down to business remain crucial, whether it’s a dedicated office or a zoned corner. But while the light is bright and beautiful during the summer months – with evenings that seemingly stretch into eternity – autumn brings with it noticeably darker days that require a more considered approach. Claire says: “Invest in a quality desk lamp that inspires creativity and productivity throughout the working day – even when it’s dull and gloomy outside. Choose something that’s beautiful to look as well as boasting quality lighting for all-important tasks – plus, a flattering glow on a Zoom or Teams meeting can only be a good thing! For a timeless style, you can’t go wrong with a classic Anglepoise® Original 1227™ Desk Lamp, especially when it’s been given a contemporary spin in a recent collaboration with the National Trust. Neat and sleek, it’s art for your desk, while featuring an iconic shade that angles light in any direction.” Claire adds: “If space is at a premium, shop smart by selecting a floor lamp that doubles as a desk lamp, such as the mid-century Milton Floor Lamp for modern and minimalist spaces.”
Curling up on the sofa
Your next big box-set binge calling? It’s autumn: of course it is. Advises Claire: “When it comes to curling up in the living room over the coming months, it’s all about layering your lighting for a cosy feel, incorporating a mixture of different types to cater to all activities and atmospheres. Ceiling and wall lights will brighten the whole lounge when you’re doing something other than resting or relaxing – reading and writing, or playing with the kids – while floor lamps and table lamps will create ambience throughout the area for entertaining or simply kicking-back and chilling-out. The combination of everything together will create a collective glow while making a room feel interior-designed with plenty of interest and polish. This season, it’s all about sustainable style with natural materials and textures, so why not opt for our Manhattan Table Lamp with a natural stone base and a linen shade? Its dimmer switch means you can dial up or down the lighting accordingly. Plump for a pair or mix-and-match with other styles for an eclectic look. Elsewhere, our Globe Wall Light casts a warm, ethereal glow across a space without being harsh or unflattering, its opaque glass, brass detail and marble finish adding elegance.”
Winding down before bedtime
Heading to bed with a warm cup of cocoa and a good book doesn’t necessarily mean a good night’s sleep. Claire explains: “Warm lighting is better for winding down just before you’re about to go to bed as blue lighting interferes with the circadian rhythm – the natural process that regulates the sleep-wake cycle – and can keep you awake. With this in mind, I’d suggest a combination of dimmable table and wall lights to soothe you to sleep and help you drift of, avoiding any distractions such as the TV, your phone or tablet. Tala – the London design studio – crafts bulbs that feature a ‘dim-to-warm’ function. This means that when you dim them the light becomes warmer. Perfect for catching those zzzs. The Tala Knuckle Table Lamp with Sphere IV Bulb is a brilliant choice for the bedside table with a compact design and an energy-saving bulb that mimics natural light sources with an American oak base that adds a stylish accent.”
Three more bright ideas
1 Choose bulbs with a warm temperature and colour. This is measured in kelvins: the lower the number, the warmer the bulb. Just remember to keep the colour of the bulb consistent in any given room for cohesion.
2 Make even more of natural light during the darker months rather than blocking it out with heavy curtains. Not only does it increase your health and wellbeing, but it strengthens your connection to the outside world. Add cleverly positioned mirrors to bounce it around.
3 Finally, don’t underestimate the drama of candlelight to increase the cosiness of a space. A flickering candle can set the scene for a fabulous bath or dinner.
Click here to put ideas into action in our Festival of Light.