Cold Winters Call for Warm Interiors

If there is one thing we can all agree on, it’s that these cold months leave us craving some warmth.  While some of us are all about the winter (we’re always up for a ski trip or a winter wonderland walk), aren't some of the best parts warming up in front of the fire, or snuggling up in your coziest blanket?  Or, maybe you’re someone who is forever chasing the sunshine, loving that warmth against your skin, and the beautiful way the sun turns everything into the most magical shades of gold and amber.  Regardless, that one thing we all love: warmth in one form or another

We have great news for you (yes, even you lovers of snow!) — it’s so easy to warm up your interior spaces without actually increasing the temperature!  Cold winters call for warm interiors, and this can be achieved through your lighting and the finishes and textures in your home.

Here are a few ways you can warm up your interiors during the cold winter:

1. Opt for “warm” finishes

The word warm has a few different meanings.  While we aren’t suggesting your fixtures should be warm to touch (that may be a sign that something isn’t quite as it should be!), we are suggesting selecting fixtures in finishes that evoke feelings of warmth.  These finishes are typically variations of brass, bronze and pewters.

2. Select bulbs with lower colour temperatures

Are you still feeling a bit in the dark when it comes to the seemingly endless selection of bulbs available today?  Well, we are here to simplify at least one aspect for you!  Colour Temperature is a major factor when selecting your LED bulbs or LED fixtures.  The important thing to note is that the lower the number (the degrees kelvin), the warmer (more yellow/amber) the light emitted.

So, where do you start?  To achieve a warm glow that still provides ample working light, we suggest a colour temperature that ranges from about 2500K to 3000K.  If you’re looking for some accent lighting that is truly and beautifully warm (think: bright candle glow), opt for colour temperatures 2300K and below.  We will make one quick note: selecting colour temperatures that are too low or too high will alter the look of your room and the elements within.  Our suggestion is to find a range within that 2700K - 3000K temperatures that you feel best suits your space and allows for the most warmth and comfort.

3. Add soft elements

While we all love crystal and acrylic, these elements tend to pair with cooler finishes such as chromes and nickels.  By opting for softer and warmer elements like marble, linen and quartz that pair beautifully with warm finishes like brass, bronze and pewter, you allow for added interest and drama in your fixtures.

4. Create atmosphere

Most fixtures and LED bulbs today are completely dimmable, which is great news for all of us craving warmth in our lives.  By adding dimmers to your fixtures (yes, even those ones that you wouldn’t normally think require dimmers like your foyers, halls and bedrooms), you add the flexibility to completely change the look and feel of your space.  Whether you’re working or you’re relaxing with a glass of wine at the end of the day, adding dimmers will allow you to enjoy your spaces in so many ways.

5. Adapt to your surroundings

Love chrome and crystal, but have deep earth tone walls?  That’s ok!  By selecting reflective finishes (such as chromes or polished nickels), your fixture will naturally take on the tones that surround it.  Not getting the warmth from the fixture that you had hoped?  Opt for warm LED bulbs, or try stepping outside of the box and painting your ceiling a warm tone for added warmth in your fixtures reflective finish!

We’re feeling pretty cozy after taking all of this into consideration!  The best part is you can achieve warmth in your space by mixing most of these together!  Warm finishes on your fixtures with warm bulbs on dimmers — we’re not even sure we need to turn the fireplace on at this point!

If you’re interested in exploring the options available to add warmth to your home, browse our website and look for fixtures in brass, bronze and satin tones, or drop by our showroom and feel the warmth for yourself.