Choosing the Perfect Lighting for Shorter Days: An Autumn Guide

Things to Consider When Buying Lights for Autumn: A Guide to Brightening Darker Days

As autumn arrives and the days get shorter, it's essential to adjust your home lighting to ensure warmth, comfort, and productivity. The right lighting not only lifts the mood but also improves the aesthetic and function of your living spaces. Here are key factors to consider when purchasing lights to prepare your home for the darker, cosier season.

1. Evaluate the Purpose of Each Room's Lighting

Every room has different lighting needs based on its function, so it's important to choose lights that align with the purpose of each space. For instance:

Living Room: Go for ambient lighting to create a cosy, relaxed atmosphere. Pendant lights, such as those offered by Anglepoise and Louis Poulsen, can distribute light evenly across the room. Complement this with task lighting like table lamps for reading or working on hobbies.
Kitchen and Dining Areas: These areas benefit from bright, task-oriented lighting. Pendant lighting over the dining table or wall and ceiling lamps provide excellent task lighting. Brands like Flos offer contemporary designs that fit well in modern kitchens.
Bedroom: Softer, warmer lighting creates a calming environment in bedrooms. Consider adjustable floor lamps for reading or subtle portable lamps that can be moved for convenience.

2. Choose the Right Colour Temperature

Colour temperature plays a crucial role in setting the mood in your home. Measured in Kelvins (K), it affects whether a room feels warm and cosy or bright and energetic.

Warm Lighting (2,700K – 3,000K): Perfect for cosy spaces such as bedrooms, living rooms, and dining areas. Warm light gives a soft, yellowish glow, creating a relaxing atmosphere. Brands like Santa & Cole and Muuto offer beautiful fixtures that deliver warm, welcoming light.
Cool Lighting (3,500K – 4,000K): Suited for task-oriented areas like kitchens or bathrooms, cool lighting enhances clarity and focus. Opt for Astep or Nemo Lighting for stylish, cool lighting solutions.
Daylight (5,000K – 6,500K): Ideal for workspaces or offices, daylight-mimicking bulbs can boost productivity. Consider using daylight bulbs in your office lighting setup.

3. Focus on Energy Efficiency

As the need for lighting increases during autumn and winter, energy-efficient options become more important for keeping utility bills in check. LED lights are not only long-lasting but also consume significantly less power than traditional bulbs.

LED Lights: Brands like Wästberg and Verpan offer sleek and energy-efficient LED lighting options. LED technology allows you to enjoy bright, consistent light while reducing your carbon footprint.
Smart Lighting: Consider integrating smart lighting that lets you control your lights remotely or set timers. This ensures your home is always lit when needed, even if you're away.

4. Layer Your Lighting for Maximum Effect

Layering different types of lighting helps create depth and flexibility, making your home feel warm and inviting. The three main layers are:

Ambient Lighting: This is the main source of light in a room, providing overall illumination. Options include ceiling lights or floor lamps from brands like Gubi and Asplund.
Task Lighting: Focused lighting for specific tasks such as reading or cooking. Desk lamps or spotlights can enhance focus in workspaces or kitchens.
Accent Lighting: Accent lighting highlights architectural features or artwork. Marset and Le Klint offer stunning accent lights that bring out the best features of your interiors.

5. Embrace Dimmable Lights for Added Flexibility

Dimmable lights allow you to adjust the brightness based on the time of day or mood. This is especially useful during autumn when natural light diminishes early. Look for dimmable lamps from brands like Artemide or Northern to create a versatile lighting setup.

6. Bring the Outdoors In with Nature-Inspired Lighting

As autumn brings cooler weather, lighting inspired by nature can add a touch of the outdoors to your home. Secto and Warm Nordic offer beautiful lighting solutions that incorporate natural materials like wood, perfect for maintaining a connection to nature.

7. Don't Forget Outdoor Lighting

Even though you're focusing on indoor lighting, it's important to consider how your home looks from the outside. Outdoor lighting can improve safety and enhance curb appeal during autumn evenings.

Pathway Lighting: Install outdoor lights along walkways or garden paths to make it easier to navigate in the dark. Louis Poulsen offers chic and functional outdoor lighting.
Porch Lighting: A welcoming porch light sets the tone for guests arriving in the evening. Opt for fixtures from Ferm Living for a stylish and functional outdoor setup.

Conclusion

Preparing your home for the darker autumn days involves more than just choosing the brightest light bulb. By considering the function of each room, colour temperature, energy efficiency, and layering your lighting, you can create a warm, inviting atmosphere throughout your home. Brands like Flos, Artemide, and Muuto offer stylish, energy-efficient solutions perfect for autumn and beyond.

Make sure to explore the latest lighting collections at Skandium to find pieces that suit your style and functional needs for the season ahead.