The Christmas season is just around the corner and we are preparing to welcome loved ones into our homes to celebrate the season. Whether you’re welcoming friends and family to your home for dinners and drinks or just gathering around the TV for the Gavin and Stacy Christmas Special, the kitchen is often at the heart of any home gathering.
The looming hosting season has many homeowners and renters looking towards fast-tracking their home improvement plans to put their best house forward this winter.
Lighting experts, Pooky told us that searches for “lighting for kitchen” have soared by 4,502% over the past twelve months, with over 70,000 searches in the past month alone. Additionally, searches for “lighting for dining room” have increased by 823%, signifying that many are looking for new ways to brighten up their house’s hosting hubs.
In response to this trend, we worked with the lighting experts at Pooky to reveal the hacks you need to know to make your interior space feel bigger, just in time for the Christmas season. It’s time to really show off the best side of your home this winter. Let’s create inviting atmospheres that will wow your guests!
Five lighting tips to maximise space
Here, Rohan Blacker, founder at Pooky recommends the following tips to those wanting to create the illusion of a larger space:
1. Layer your lighting
“Start with a good source of ambient or general lighting. This could be an overhead, wall light, or freestanding lamp. The goal is to have a broad, even layer of light that fills the room and eliminates dark spots, creating a foundation for a spacious look.
“Add accent lights to highlight key features of the room. By drawing the eye to these focal points, accent lighting helps create depth, making the room more dynamic and expansive.”
Pooky Larger Seurat Rechargeable Picture Light, £135.00
2. Use upward lighting to create height
“Adding lights that shine upward, like wall lights or floor lamps, can make the ceiling feel higher and the room feel taller. This effect can be especially helpful in rooms with lower ceilings or limited vertical space.”
3. Reduce shadows
“Shadows in corners or behind furniture can make a room feel smaller. Place small lamps in shadowy areas to brighten these spots and create an even, welcoming atmosphere. Also, dimming bright lights creates a cosier, more expansive feel in the dark winter nights without overwhelming the space.”
Pooky Phileas Rechargeable Table Lamp, £124.50
4. Choose light colours and warm tones
“Opt for filament bulbs to give a soft, warm glow for a cosy and inviting feel. Using bulbs of the same colour temperature throughout the room prevents clashing light tones, breaking up the space visually and making it feel smaller.”
5. Use mirrors
“Position mirrors opposite windows or in areas where they can catch and reflect natural light into the room. This brings more daylight in and enhances brightness throughout the space, giving the illusion of extra space.
“Place a floor or table lamp near a mirror to bounce light around the room. This simple setup can amplify brightness and help make the space feel larger.”
