When winter sets in and days are shorter and darker, the change in light can wreak havoc on our sleep schedules and moods. But coming home and sitting in a poorly lit, dark space doesn’t have to be part of the season. Here’s how design experts make rooms feel bright and cheery, even in the dead of winter.
• Create layered lighting:
You’ll get more use out of your lights in the winter than any other time of the year, so make sure you’re adequately prepared. And don’t despair if you don’t have lots of windows, advises Sarah Barney, owner and principal designer of BANDD Design in Austin. “Embrace what you have since there’s only so much you can do.” Here’s how to build a layered lighting scheme:
Overhead lighting: This is the base that washes the whole room in light. “The type of fixture makes all the difference,” says Erin Shakoor, the Chicago-based founder of Shakoor Interiors. “Put it as high above your head as possible to avoid dead spots.” She likes fixtures with adjustable arms so you can redirect light into areas as necessary. (Many overhead fixtures in rentals can be easily swapped and replaced; check with your landlord.)
Wall and floor lamps: Place wall sconces and floor lamps in strategic locations where you want to highlight wall decor. “The best-lit rooms are the ones where the walls are lit,” says LeeAnn Baker, a Seattle-based designer. She uses wall sconces and washers to create “artlike” lighting.