Whether it’s a softly lit dinner with family or an afternoon engrossed in a good book under the warm glow of a lamp, conjuring a cosy atmosphere is easy with the right lighting. We show you how.

Layering light from different sources helps to bring a room to life, while offering versatility and flexibility. Mixing multiple lights means that the room you use for work in the daytime can be transformed into an elegant space for entertaining or a cosy hideaway for whiling away autumn evenings at the touch of a few buttons.

The soft, general light that swathes the whole room, ambient lighting usually comes from a central source, like a large ceiling pendant, but can also be enhanced with wall-mounts or strategically placed floor lamps.

While ambient lighting covers a wider area, this type of lighting is more concentrated. A stylish table lamp by the sofa, or a simple, overhead style above the kitchen table, ensures ample brightness for activities without disrupting the room’s overall calm feel. For those shelves and nooks without sockets, our portable lamp can transform the space into inviting corners.

Also known as ‘directional light’, accent lighting pulls focus to particular areas and can highlight features in a room. Imagine a pair of bedside lamps framing a beautifully made bed, mounted wall lamps showcasing an entranceway or a floor lamp casting a glow over a favourite armchair.

The particular shade of a light bulb plays a crucial role in setting the right ambience. White light is more stimulating, whereas yellow light has a gentler, calming effect – think of the lovely golden glow from a log fire. Choosing shades made from fabric, rather than paper, can also help to create an even softer, more diffused effect.