Chase Away the Darkness with Light

 

Do you hate walking into a dark room? I know I do, especially during these long, dark and cold winter months. If you are sensitive to the seasonal shifts try to increase your light exposure as much as possible during the this cycle. If you can get outside on bright, cold days, do it! Here in the Pacific Northwest, it tends to be very London-esque with dreary, drizzly days. It can make your mood feel like you’re dragging your legs through sludge.

 

This is why light is so important in your life for so many reasons. It represents life, growth, warmth, safety and goodness. It allows you to see color in our world. It chases away the darkness and shadows and illuminates your path before you.

 

It makes sense then, that light impacts you every bit as much as color does.  Just by human nature, you tend to fear the dark and the unknown…what cannot be seen. Light comforts you and makes you feel safe and nurtured.

 

When you are in your office or at home, you want to create a warm and welcoming feeling so you feel nurtured and supported to do your best work and recharge at the end of the day. When it is dark, the furnishings and the colors on the wall seem muted with shades of grey. That can feel overwhelming and oppressive, but by adding light it defines the spaces and guides you both literally and psychologically. Because really, don’t we long for clarity and illumination?

 

Now, you probably have overhead lighting already in most of your spaces. That is fine for an overall wash of light simply to see! What creates the intimacy and warmth are layering in other light sources to create depth and mood.

 

 

In this installment of the ‘5 Ways to Cozy Up Your January’, the second idea is to create light where there currently is none and chase the shadows away.

 

Here are some ideas to get started…..

• Say no to fluorescent lighting. It’s cold, harsh and makes you feel like you are in a doctor’s office.

 

• Add mini lamps to a console table, on a shelf (in a bookcase or a floating shelf on the wall) as well as your bathroom vanity especially if your bathroom is an interior one without windows.

 

• Tube lighting or push button LED lights are a quick and easy way to add light to the inside of dark hutches or bookshelves.

 

• Track lighting it great for spot lighting a piece or gallery wall of artwork, a fireplace or perhaps a grand buffet and hutch you inherited!

 

• Adding mirrors, glass vases, apothecary jars, glass candle holders, anything that is shiny and reflects light will create a soft shimmer and glow.

 

• And of course finally, open up those draperies! I know it is cold outside, but nothing beats natural sunlight. If you have a day (remember they are short at the moment) that is sunny and bright, let it in!

 

You deserve to have light guide you, warm you, inspire you and protect you. Take some time to incorporate some of these ideas into your work and living spaces. I would love to see pictures of your applications! I hope these tips on adding light to your spaces has been helpful. Stay tuned for the next way to Cozy Up Your January: Creature Comforts!

 

 

Want to learn more tips and ideas on how to achieve this for your space, click here for my FREE ebook 7 Ways to Add Soul to Your Home Today