Autumn glow up: 8 ways to light up dark rooms

From now until the Spring Equinox, our evenings are longer than our days. Perhaps you’ve even caught yourself muttering ‘the nights are drawing in’, which is a sure sign we’re well into autumn and heading towards winter.

A lack of natural daylight and cloudy weather can conspire against us when we’re trying to sell our homes. Rooms can look dull, dingy and potentially off putting to visiting buyers, so it’s essential to give your home the right glow. Here are 8 ideas to ensure your home isn’t stuck in the dark ages.

1. Light up dark corners: even with the full blast of the main overhead light, nooks and crannies can remain in darkness. This can make a room feel smaller than it is or prompt potential purchasers to question what you’re hiding. Use floor standing or table lamps in corners so light reaches the furthest points. 

2. Illuminate at different heights: like a moth to a flame, we are attracted to the light, so placing sources at different heights allows you to train the gaze to certain areas. Wall sconces, table lamps and clusters of candles can be placed strategically to grab attention. 

3. Go cordless: if the thought of trailing cables and flexes puts you off using lights more creatively, never fear. There are hundreds of rechargeable or battery-operated lamps and lights for sale. Use them to illuminate bookshelves, lighten tricky spaces and as a focal point on a coffee table.

4. Include soft touches: candlelight is associated with feelings of warmth, security and comfort, so if you want an emotional response from prospective buyers, include a flickering flame – perhaps battery-operated if you’re worried about safety. By the same token, lighting a wood burner or gas fire can cast an irresistible glow. If you’re tempted to use fairy lights, less is more. Opt for unfussy strings of warm white bulbs and drape them along open shelves.

5. Know your light bulb: your choice of light bulb will play a big part in a room’s brightness, ambience and even how widely light is cast. B&Q’s light bulb buying guide is a good introduction to lumens, watts, bulb shapes, bulb temperatures and beam angles. 

6. Invest in dimmer switches: if you’re trying to create a homely glow, your overhead lighting may be too harsh. Investing in a dimmer switch will give you precision over the ambience. It’s possible to get dimmer switch/spotlight combinations, as well as dimmers that work with single pendant lights. 

7. Don’t overlook outside lights: if you are welcoming viewers after dark, illuminating the front and rear of your home will be just as important as lighting the interior. Ensure any porch light works and casts enough brightness so your door number/house name is visible. Also turn on any garden lights so viewers can see outside without stepping into the cold.

8. Embrace the crossover: table lamps are one of the most versatile sources of light but you don’t have to confine them to living rooms and bedrooms. Kitchens are a tricky room to make cozy as there can be a lot of stark task lighting. Add warmth by putting a table lamp on the countertop or dining table. Likewise, a dark hallway will benefit from a lamp even if you don’t have a table. Instead, install a small shelf deep enough to hold a slim lamp base.

If you’re inspired to get a current valuation of your home and come to market, please get in touch.