The science behind lighting and wellbeing:

Whether you have a serious aversion to the use of the big light or wish you could bottle the feeling of candlelit, cosy dinners, the impact of lighting on our mood and mental state extends far beyond just personal preference. The science behind it? Circadian rhythm. Referring to our body’s natural internal clock, our circadian rhythm regulates our energy levels, sleeping patterns and overall mood based on the level of light around us. If you naturally feel sleepy as the sun starts to set, it indicates a synchronised circadian rhythm.

The winter months can feel particularly challenging for this reason, with less natural light and allround gloomier weather, we tend to feel more lethargic and less motivated when our environment is darker. Whilst artificial lighting can throw our natural circadian rhythms off course, there’s also potential to craft a home that allows you to feel your best no matter the season. The benefits of a space that supports your mental wellbeing- allowing for equal doses of motivation and rest- is a wonderful part of dedicating time to creating a home that works for you!

The basics of lighting:

When thinking about lighting different rooms at home, it’s worth taking some time to familiarise yourself with the different types of lighting and what they bring to any given room. These can be broken up into 3 categories: ambient, accent and task lighting:

Ambient lighting:

Ambient lighting is a necessary part of any room, providing the overall glow needed to navigate a room and provide a base level of light. In most homes this comes from a main ceiling light.

Accent lighting:

In some ways accent lighting is less functional, instead creating a focal point in a room, adding dimension and drawing the eye to a particular feature- be it a piece of artwork, furniture or decorative coving. Also known as ‘directional light’, it often comes in the forms of wall or artwork lamps, recessed lights or hallway and porch lighting. Accent lighting guides the eye, and can be used to make rooms feel both expansive or intimate depending on the context.

Task lighting:

Finally, task lighting. Offering a practical light source most often in relation to a particular activity. Whether on a desk to illuminate a computer keyboard or hanging above a kitchen work surface for cooking and preparing food, task lighting helps you perform specific day-to-day tasks with ease.

Understanding and differentiating between the different types of lighting at home is the first step in curating rooms that marry both function and feeling, both for you and those you love to share in.

Layering lighting - what is it and where to begin?

Whilst lighting a room often comes from a functional need to do so, there are endless ways to make use of the 3 types of lighting to capture a particular feeling at home. Layering lighting is one means of doing so, using a combination of different lighting to change the feel of rooms that are multifunctional and in need of a different ambience at different times of the day.

When starting to layer light, it’s important to think about the purpose of each room and how you spend the majority of your time in each space. From Friday nights of candlelit McDonalds on the sofa to Monday morning meeting prep, lighting can help both spur on motivation and allow for much needed doses of relaxation. Start by thinking about the function of a space and how ambient and task lighting can fulfil a specific purpose, before adding character with flourishes of accent lighting. Highlight sentimental artwork or cosy armchair corners, and watch as rooms feel immediately more elevated.

The main purpose of layering light is to create atmosphere in a room, making this knowledge all the more important when upping the feeling of cosiness at home. In the same way that a deep set sofa with an array of scatter cushions instantly triggers a feeling of comfort, the right lighting can make a room feel immediately inviting.

Cosy corners and the importance of at-home relaxation:

The summer season, with its long, sun-drenched days can feel like a recipe for joyful and regulated moments. Lighter evenings offer endless potential for socialising, and spending time indoors feels less inviting when pub gardens and beachside barbecues call. But after months during which quality time at home may have been neglected, the prospect of uninterrupted time in which to read, watch, cook and nap at home can feel like a breath of fresh air. As the height of summer fades away and we look ahead to what the second half of 2023 has to offer, it can feel like the perfect time to welcome in this feeling. Settle down on a particularly cosy feeling evening (bonus points if you can hear the patter of rain falling on the window) with a cup of tea and fresh Pinterest board at the ready and curate a vision board of the feelings you hope to bottle from time at home as autumn approaches. Consider time spent recharging at home alone, and the opportunities to welcome loved ones in for socialising that fills your cup.

Purposeful lighting is one of the easiest ways to create cosy nooks you can while away hours in, starting with a style choice as simple as the placement of large lamps on low tables. Make your favourite corner- be it a comfortable armchair or beanbag- all the more enticing with a large lamp at eye level, providing a dreamy glow that brings life to a space on particularly dark days.

Hosting by candlelight:

Hosting moments of love and laughter across a dinner table, or Sunday afternoon film marathons with friends are arguably the best parts of creating a home with cosy at its core. When plans centre around food- be it plating up a crowd-pleasing takeaway or cooking a simple yet moreish pasta dish- the lighting of your dining space can alter the experience from stark to inviting.

Harsh overhead lighting can feel intrusive and less catered for relaxation, whereas a selection of smaller console table lamps and candlesticks of varying heights can transform both an occasion and everyday moments at home. Tala’s Knuckle Table Lamp is designed with such cosy evenings in mind, with its subtle light output and responsive dimming capabilities allowing you to alter its brightness to suit every mood. Available in Oak, Walnut and Blackened Oak, the simple yet striking design is timeless and looks perfectly at home as part of a variety of decor styles. Having launched in London in 2015 with an innovative approach to LED lighting, Tala is based on a passion for design, technology, and sustainability, with a selection of beautiful lighting options available to shop on Glassette.

When serving food, opt for non-scented candles that allow each dish to take centre stage such as Wax Atelier’s Extra Long Twisted Candles in Mother's Milk. The perfect choice for hosting, their unique design and subtle honey aroma makes your dinner spread feel instantly elevated.

When it’s time for coffees and final catch ups on the sofa, light your favourite comforting scent and enjoy both the function of its beautiful fragrance and the soothing feeling that comes from the soft glow it emits. Place an impactful three-wick candle on the centre of a mantlepiece for maximum impact and enjoy the glow of relaxing by candlelight- a simple pleasure we’ll never tire of.

Colour + temperature = your at home ‘mood’

It’s not only the brightness and positioning of lamps and light fixtures that impact how each room feels, but also the colour of bulbs that contribute to a feeling of cosiness or harshness too.

Warmer, low-level yellow lighting tends to be best for relaxing, as unlike cool or blue light it doesn’t interrupt the body’s natural wake-sleep cycle or alter melatonin production. Opt for warm, yellow bulbs in rooms such as a bedroom or living room where relaxation is the goal, and soak in the feeling of comfort that comes from curating spaces that allow you to experience true rest.

Consider adding a dimmer switch to rooms such in which you relax or host in most often, as the brightness and intensity of a bulb can also impact the way a room feels. Dimmed lighting when entertaining naturally creates a feeling of warmth and intimacy for guests, and at the end of a day can signify to our brains time to unwind. Position lights at or below eye level (think candles and lamps that illuminate a dining table) to capture an informal, relaxed feeling, and lap up the joy of an environment guests will be reluctant to leave.

Where possible allow sunlight to beam in, as this natural mood booster helps to maintain a regulated limbic system and can be especially important for battling low mood or motivation during the darker months. Prioritising mental wellbeing can be all the more important during the colder months, and a home that is tailored to your individual needs can be the first step in allowing for a routine that serves you best.

All the pros of smart lighting at home:

Creating a home that fulfils your every need is the aim, and making the most of all that technology can offer will always be worth exploring. Controlling the lighting in your space from your phone is one way to enhance a feeling of cosiness at home, from using an app to switch on a lamp on as you rush back from the shops on a rainy evening, to dimming the bedroom lights ready to retire to after a hot bath, the potential for creating a space that adapts as your mood and needs to is effortlessly rewarding. Apps such as Philips Hue (with corresponding smart bulbs), Ecobee (which allows you to alter the temperature of lighting too), and Smart Life all provide ways of adjusting your lighting at home, which soon you’ll wonder how you lived without!

Make the most of lighting hacks that feel smart too, from blackout blinds in the bedroom that allow you to reap the rewards of deep, uninterrupted sleep, to using mirrors in smaller space that allow light to give the illusion of a bigger space, making intentional decisions when it comes to lighting at home make all the difference.

When it comes to choosing the lighting accessories that complement the decor of any given room, allow time to carefully consider these with intention too. The perfect balance of a neutral colourway paired with statement execution, Hastshilp’s Luna Rattan Lamp Shade makes the perfect accompaniment to almost any style of decor. For a centrestage-worthy addition to a room, Palefire’s Parasol Table Lamp in Serpent effortlessly fits the brief. Echoing the grandeur, expressive forms of Art Nouveau lighting design, its tall stem allows for more direct light and makes it an ideal reading lamp. Add a herbal tea, your latest read and a rainy afternoon for perfect weekend relaxation.

Explore lighting with Glassette and the joy of a home that captures cosiness galore.