Do you remember what gave you a feeling of comfort and safety when you were a child? When I was my much younger self, I would sometimes stay at my Nanna’s house which always felt like a safe place to be. My Nanna was an avid user of lamps and would have them on at night, in every room so there was never a dark corner or room to be scared of. I loved the way she used lamps for cozy ambient lighting to create a comfy, warm glow to her house each evening. This is where my love of lamps began.

Let’s take a look into how lamps can add warmth, comfort and a sense of magic into the rooms and spaces of your home.

Different lights for different reasons.

Overhead lighting is practical and serves a purpose in certain parts of the home but it can make a room feel stark and uninviting. 

In order to make a softer feel in a room, lamps and other ambient lighting create a warm, gentle glow. 

Different sized lamps with varying heights serve different purposes. Tall floor lamps are great when reading, sewing or crafting. Table lamps can brighten up a dim area as they sit atop a piece of vintage furniture such as a small wooden table. Fairy lights add a magical touch and wall sconces with flameless candles can give a vintage feel to hallways and walls. 

There may be rules and guidelines about choosing the right lamp depending on the size of the room, the room’s layout and decor style. For me, I go with my heart and choose whatever lamp I love. I love colourful mosaic lamps and I also like to add interesting vintage globes to other lamp bases because they are low wattage and inexpensive to use.

Cozy ambient lighting

How lamps can add ambience to a space

Lamps can turn a house into a home and create a cosy feel especially if mixed with a comfy chair, cushions and other collected gems and loved pieces. Instead of a dusty forgotten corner, adding a lamp can add character and a sense of nostalgia. A cozy alcove calling to unwind with a good book and a warm drink.

Lighting can have a huge impact on the ambience and mood of a room. Lighting can create a warm atmosphere, it can change your mindset and help reduce stress. It can create peace and calm and calls you to focus on the feel of the space.

Turning off overhead lights and turning on lamps can signal to me that it’s time to stop and unwind for the day. Lamps help me to slow down, often reminding me of life before electricity, when the tasks people did in the evenings were limited because of little to no light available.

Lamps with different shades and bases create different shadows and textures. They can bathe a room on a Winter’s Day or Autumn evening. They can brighten a dimly lit corner on a stormy Summer’s afternoon. Lamps can match any season or time of day, creating layers of light for beauty and focus with varying colour temperatures.

Impact of Lighting on Mood and Mental Health

Many years ago when people used oil lamps and burnt candles it signified a change in daily activities. During the day when there was sunlight, people would be working and getting as much done as they could. Mending clothes, preparing meals and other chores were all done during daylight hours and at night there was a significant shift in routines. 

This had profound effects on mental health. It helped them switch off from work and begin to relax as there was much less to do. It affected the way they spent their time, often allowing individuals to share time with family reading, playing games, sharing stories and having conversations.

Today, incorporating lamps into homes can affect our psychology, suggesting people do less work and slow down.

Inspirational Cozy Ambient Lighting

DIY Lamp – make your own

Making your own lamps is a great way to add a touch of style and personality to a room. After receiving some mosaic lamps as gifts, I discovered a way to make my own and I couldn’t wait. Here is my small humble lamp that I made full of colours that to me look like a stained glass window.

Personalizing your space

One year I fell in love with the magic of Christmas lights. As a university student I made it a priority to have a christmas tree in my accommodation room. Fast forward many years later and I thought to myself, why limit fairy lights to just Christmas, why not all year round?

So I hung some warm white fairy lights around my living room walls. Then one Chritsmas I added coloured fairy lights to the walls and they never came down. I love the way they add to the cosy feel of my living room space and it’s a space I enjoy being in when I’m at home. It gives me such a sense of comfort and awe. 

Upcycling old lamps as cozy ambient lighting

Another way to add my own style to a room using lamps, is to piece together thrifted bases and shades. I found a cute little brass base at a thrift store once. I then set out to find a shade to create the feel I was after. Here’s the final product:

Unveiling the Magic of Cozy Ambient Lighting

Lighting is a strategic element of good interior design but don’t be limited to trends and rules. I go with what gives the often overlooked corners of the rooms in my home an atmosphere that invites me to relax and de-stress. Lamps and other lighting can change the entire feel of a living space and play an important role in bringing the right mood to a curated home. Illuminating our homes with lamps and other ambient lighting that add a sense of magic, cosiness and warmth can bring a lot of satisfaction. So why not start this journey creating a more inviting place to relax and slow down.