Get switched on to the delights of lights

Keeping warm, wearing extra cosy clothes, lighting the fire and making things as comfy as possible once you're safely inside, will help make sure the wintry effects of the cold, dark and probably rainy night stay outside.

In making things as warm and cosy as you can at home, you may also want to look at your lighting. Over the coming months, the lights are going to be on a lot more, and rather than straining to see, or dazzling the neighbourhood with the highest wattage bulbs in your street, you may want to consider some great lamp styles and light fittings available from Barker and Stonehouse, either in store, or online at www.barkerandstonehouse.co.uk

You should think carefully about the use of each of your rooms and the sorts of things you use them for. For example, you and your family use one area to watch the TV in your sitting room, but you may also spend time in a favourite chair reading or doing some other hobby where more direct light is needed.

In a living room that gets a lot of use from different members of your household at different times of the day, you should look at creating layers of lighting, so lamps can be switched on or off when needed. Dimmer switches are a must. They're particularly useful in dining rooms, where you probably need good lighting while setting the table, but could do with a more atmospheric feel for the evening.

Lighting can also be used to make small spaces seem larger. For example, directional spot lights are good because they bounce light back into a space.

The Spun floor lamp, in sleek black or white creates a contemporary light solution for sitting rooms.

If you need more directional and adjustable light for reading or other hobby type work, the Arco Floor Lamp has a great retro design.

It is a reproduction of the original Arco lamp designed by Castiglioni in 1962 and is modelled on a streetlight.

You could also add some glamour with a floor or table chandelier, or if that's too over the top for you, go for a safer, but no less stylish option like a lamp from the Bourgie range, in metallic and luxe finishes.

YP MAG 6/11/10