Set the Tone This Christmas with Elegant Warm Lighting
It is finally Christmas morning. The family is awake, and you’re keen to open up those presents. It is a joyous time of year when everyone comes together. However, did you know that the right type of Christmas lighting can set the tone for the entire day?
Let’s talk about how this is the case.
Christmas Morning, Set the Tone
Christmas morning is a special time when we spend it with our immediate family, open presents, and enjoy festive activities. It’s a glorious occasion that is made all the more perfect by the hallmarks of Christmas. The tree, the Christmas decorations, the smell of gingerbread and Turkey, and, of course, the seasonal decor.
People underestimate the importance of Christmas lights in a big way, and it is often to their detriment. What so many don’t realise is just how important Christmas lights can be when it comes to setting the mood of a specific moment.
The Christmas lighting you use can make or break an entire day. When we think about Christmas, most of us assume that nice Hallmark movie style of lighting. It’s warm and appealing and looks great – very inviting.
So, how do we go about managing that with our lighting? You’ll want something in the warmer shade – pick up some LED lightbulbs to do this. LED is the wonder child of the lightbulb industry and is well known for flexibility and great designs all at once.
Naturally, the choice of fixtures you have will make an impact too. This Crystal Chandelier in Gold could be a good pick it’s bespoke, luxurious and at the same time, it’s got that inviting feeling.
The vibe you’ll want to go for is the Christmas one. It’s quite relaxed, pleasant, and charming. You want the atmosphere to be chill because Christmas shouldn’t be a mad rush to open presents or eat a big meal. For the first part of the morning, keep it simple and appealing.
Oh, and if gold isn’t your colour, then you’ve got this Large Rectangular Pendant Chandelier in Black. It’s a bit more rustic, charmingly subtle, and it works well.
A Welcoming Ambience for Family
Naturally, the whole point of a good set of lights is to try and make some of that sweet, sweet ambiance. You want the family home to be safe, welcoming, and enjoyable, especially on Christmas Day.
That’s why you must think about two things – fixtures and bulbs. They go hand-in-hand, which is helpful, so let’s talk about fixtures and then the requisite bulbs to help out.
This Crystal Chandelier in Black looks fantastic and delivers plenty of support. It’s also very opulent and grand – maybe a good choice for a dining room or big living room.
It’s probably worth noting that the thing about good lighting is that it doesn’t come solely from the ceiling. That would be a bit miserable because you’d only get a cone of light in a single area – not great! No, there are other options you can pick from, like our Polished Brass Crystal Wall Light. Beautifully detailed and ultimately highly effective.
Other sterling options include Astro’s Caserta in Matt Nickel. This is a premium wall light that is charmingly minimalist but still looks pleasing to the eye. Alternatively, you’ve got floor options if you like those – this Ravello Floor in Bronze is a pretty good pick, to say the least. It’s neat and tidy, with sharp, clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic.
So we also promised to talk about bulbs. When it comes to bulbs, there is only one choice to make nowadays, which is the LED bulb. It’s the clear winner for a host of reasons.
As the most energy-efficient bulb out there, LED bulbs are long-lasting, bright, and, most crucially, come in different shades. That’s the important detail that makes many of these Christmas bulbs. It’s all about that lighting shade!
Think about it – too cold and neutral a light colour, and you wind up with what is essentially a shop floor. You need that warmth to generate a light fixture that will be suitably easy to work with, and that’s precisely what a good LED bulb can manage.
Illuminating Christmas Lunch
So, it’s roughly midday, maybe a bit after 1, and the relatives have all turned up. You’ve got you, your kids, your brothers and sisters, and the in-laws. It’s a big table for a big day, but that means you need to get the lighting perfect.
That’s where the idea of good lighting can come in handy and make such a big difference. Ultimately, you need to try and ensure that you get the lighting nailed, but you’ve got a few options.
Most people tend to try and replicate the idea of the Hallmark movie vibe for themselves in the kitchen or the dining room. This means that the situation calls for elegant light fixtures and LED bulbs. They can generate the warmer light you need, giving you plenty of options.
Naturally, that’s why you must try to ensure that you get the bright, warm light going. It doesn’t need to be a harsh light, but the right fixture with something warm and inviting will work great.
Other options include using a single ceiling light and creating a cone. This may not work for the living room, where everyone is spread out, but the dining room works. If you have a bright light on display as part of the decorations pointing down, you can emphasise the turkey and the people surrounding it.
As a crazy side thought, did you know that the lighting you have can affect how good food tastes?
A study in the US found that “dimmer, ambient lighting ‘subconsciously influences perceptions’ and tricks the brain into thinking sweet or salty food tastes better.”
It is a unique way to approach things, but it has some bearing. It also goes well with the general theory we have that when it comes to lighting, less is more. The casual, relaxed ambience is much like that stereotypical Hallmark movie lighting.
Relaxing with Family Post Lunch
So when the immediate lunch is over, there is that all-important relaxing period. You know what we mean – the hour or so when we all sit down and complain we’ve never eaten quite so much!
This period is meant to be relaxing and mellow, which is where the proper lighting can come in handy. It can be challenging to strike a balance, but it’ll be okay if we refer back to the guiding principle of Christmas lighting.
At the end of the day, it is all about that relaxing, Christmassy vibe full of cheer and warmth. The lighting that we have needs to be relaxed and casual. You don’t want anything too loud and obnoxious because that makes it difficult to relax and maybe even snooze a little.
Some warmer LED bulbs are a good pick for this type of lighting, but feel free to sparse with decorations and lighting. The thing about a relaxed vibe is that you don’t want a setup that is too busy. That would largely defeat the point of having a relaxed vibe.
When it comes to things like relaxing lighting, it’s mainly at your discretion. Whatever you choose naturally needs to fit with the aesthetic and design of your space, but at the same time, moderation is key.
It might take a little getting used to, but it is worth it, in the end, to crack the code and create something unique. It’ll give you a lot of satisfaction to get it right.
A Christmas Film and Playing Children
As we move through the afternoon, the energy shifts in the house. The mood has wound down a little – the initial frantic rush of Christmas morning and the excited energy has subsided. The children are playing with presents, and there is a pretty relaxed vibe in the form of a film.
This last part of the day is so important to get right, and it is important to experiment. The golden rule of relaxed and ambient is still in place, but this is the day when you can experiment a little bit and see what will work best for you.
For many, this comes in the form of things like a fire crackling away in the background. It’s an excellent opportunity to cut back on warm lighting but not get rid of it occasionally. Having a bright side of the room for conversation and a dimmer end for relaxing might not be a bad idea.
Whatever you do, ensure that your lighting isn’t too harsh or difficult; you must get the balance right. The illumination on Christmas should always be warm and inviting.
Ultimately, Christmas lighting needs to be relatively consistent, which is where the general aesthetic begins. You want that warm, approachable, and relaxed aesthetic, but this isn’t the easiest thing to sort out. We keep referencing that Hallmark movie style, but it is a close representation.
Christmas lighting should create a warm, relaxed atmosphere. It wants to set a tone that can be fun and inviting. You don’t want bright lights and cold colours. It’s a juxtaposition to the cold season.
A Christmas to Remember
So, when we talk about lighting at Christmas, it boils down to two key ideas. First of all, you should try and find a very relaxed aesthetic. When it comes to things like the general lighting at Christmas, you don’t want something big and bright.
Going back to Hallmark movies. They are fun and warm. They’re all fuzzy lighting, golden colours, and a beautiful Christmas aesthetic. It’s a warm and charming feeling that makes a big difference to how we look at Christmas.
This is ultimately what people need to employ for themselves. This aesthetic can make a big difference, but getting there is the tricky part, which brings us nicely to the second part of our findings.
The way that you do good lighting is a combination of both the fixtures and the bulbs that you use. You need to get the correct bulbs and use them correctly. It’s not as easy as it looks, but you can experiment. Whatever you do, however, go for LED bulbs. They make a big difference.
LED lighting is some of the best on the planet, and it is not at all difficult to see why so many people like it. It looks good, is easy to work with, and often creates a great aesthetic. You can get warmer options which will be perfect for what you’re trying to accomplish.
Overall, Christmas lighting can be a great thing to think about. Your Christmas can be warm and golden and all things picturesque with the proper lighting. However, think about a unifying theme for all your fixtures and lights. The key is not to go too hard or cold – you want a relaxed, simple setup that lights the space properly and looks good.
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