Dr Dulux: How to Create Magical Christmas Lighting

Taking over the Dr Dulux residency this week are the Amazing Space designers. Not only did we think Dr Dulux deserved a break, but we also wanted to tap our designers’ expert knowledge for this week’s tricky quandary.

Q: Hi, I’m going to be having a few gatherings in our new home this Christmas, and need some guidance with my lighting. We’ve just moved to a new build, which hasn’t got an awful lot of atmosphere about it, so we need some clever ways to make our empty shell feel cosy and festive. What would you suggest? Antonia, Wiltshire

A: Thanks for your question, Antonia. We’ve got a few bright ideas to deck your halls this Christmas. Take a look at these four ideas to get you started.

1. Silent night

There’s nothing quite like having a cosy winter’s evening in by candle light. Create your own centrepiece by gathering a few candles and decorating with a little bit of fresh greenery. Alternatively add the scent of Christmas to your home by adding orange peel, cinnamon, rosemary or even the Christmas nut mix with a candle inside a hurricane lantern. Nordic House has a gorgeous array of candles and candlesticks for an atmospheric scheme.

2. Jingle bell jars

Bell Jars are a stunning way of creating your very own ornamental lighting and look truly magical. Battery powered string LED lights, such as Terrain’s Stargazer lights (similar ones are available from Cox & Cox) create an ambient glow against the light-reflective surfaces of the glass jars. A collection of different sizes and shapes can look quite the statement when arranged together – place them on sideboards, on the mantel or along your Christmas table. For more decorative bell jar idea, visit Interiorsbystudiom.com.

3. Deck the halls

It’s not just your tree that needs Christmas spirit! Festoon your hall and entryways in fairy lights and decorative string lights to give a beautiful, sparkly welcome. Copy these looks from Ikea and House To Home to get that Christmassy feeling the moment you walk though the door.

4. Feast for the eyes

The centrepiece for your table on Christmas day is going to set the mood for the food. You can go simple and elegant or pull out all the stops. Simple and elegant only needs a few baubles in colours that match your scheme, interspersed with a few tea lights. But if your dining table needs the WOW factor, hanging arrangements will do the trick. LED lights mixed with baubles and a bit of greenery is all you need. Just secure with tacking nails and be sure not to pierce any wires. Check out Vosges Paris and House Doctor for more inspired ideas.