I posted this a few weeks ago over on Just 18 Summers where I blog once a month, but I thought readers here might enjoy it too.
I’m not afraid of the dark, but I am a big believer in the beauty of light. The Light of the World, of course. But in our homes, too, light is such an important element. Daylight flooding through the windows is the preferable light for people and houseplants alike, but once the sun goes down—especially as the days grow shorter—the gloom of darkness can be kept at bay by a variety of mood lighting options.
All over our house, are little lights that illuminate the pathways, spotlight something pretty, or warm the atmosphere—both literally and figuratively. There’s just something about the golden glow of a lamp or candle that bathes a room in a comforting radiance.
This lamp lights the entryway by our front door. Its nightlight bulb gives a welcoming glow—one that can be seen from the street—twenty-four hours a day.
A string of fireflies lights up a decorative door in one corner of my office. A friendly sight (and illumines the edges of furniture just enough to keep me from stubbing my toe) when I’m on deadline and up to write long before the sun.
Even in the daylight, the flicker of a tiny flame-shaped bulb brightens the mantel and spotlights a favorite plant.
Our windowless garage opens into the windowless laundry room, so it’s nice to be greeted by this cheery lamp each time we arrive home. (And it’s likely saved us from tripping over a laundry basket or somebody’s shoes a time or two.)
Candles require special caution, especially if you have children or pets in your home, but it’s hard to match the beauty of a flickering flame, especially if it’s scented.
Fortunately, a wide variety of flameless candles are available now, including those that turn off automatically after a few hours. Arranging a few real, decorative candles (unlit) among the flameless kind, give the effect of having them all lit, especially if they are placed above eye level like these atop an armoire in our living room.
Even outdoor “rooms” benefit from the glow of a string of lights. We purchased these LED rope lights for $6 during after Christmas markdowns. They use very little electricity and were still burning brightly and continuously more than two years later when we sold the house.
At night, they offered light that was dim enough to discourage bugs, yet made the deck a pleasant place for late night visiting. Here at our new (to us) house in Wichita, we found solar LED lights for the back deck. So far, they work perfectly!
Whether you choose to leave a few small-wattage lights on full-time like we do, or to only turn them on when you wish to create a mood for special occasions, there’s no denying the power of a little light. The cost is minimal—well under two dollars a month for a string of LED rope lights, and under $1 a month for each CFL 7-watt nightlight-type bulb burning 24/7 (depending on the price of electricity in your area, of course). Worth every penny, in my opinion, simply for the ambiance! But when you factor in the safety benefits—night lights mean less chance of tripping or falling, plus light is a proven deterrent to home break-ins—the small investment may be even greater.
So don’t hide your lights under a bushel. No! Let ’em shine, let ’em shine, let ’em shine!
Latest posts by Deborah Raney (see all)
- Inspired by Scripture - November 17, 2024
- Writing “The End” - November 11, 2024
- Inspired by Scripture - November 10, 2024
Perfect for the season! You have put into words something I have in my mind. I love Christmas decorations and we have a lot of lights inside our house. (I really appreciate remotes for them.) I decorate early and drag my feet taking them down. Now I can ‘let my light shine’. The neighbors and passer-byes comment how much they like seeing all my Christmas trees lit and shining out the windows. I can finish my decorating now with joy!
I agree, Susan! I think that’s one of the reasons people love Christmas decorations so much. It may not even be something they consciously realize, but there is something so cozy and warm and welcoming about the twinkling lights and the warm glow! Especially if you live in a climate where winters can be gloomy and gray.
What a cozy read! It definitely ‘lightened’ my mood. I love the variety of ways you’ve found to incorporate light into your décor. I have to admit I just have one light per room. And one unlit candle in the whole house. I don’t even think my flashlight has batteries! We’ve had a stretch of really gray days and it’s been positively gloomy. Then yesterday we had sun and what a lift as the light streamed in through the windows. I need to look at doing some serious light redecorating.
I’m so glad, Kav! I think you will be SO pleased with the huge difference a few new lights makes! The older I get, the more nervous and careful I am with candles (I’ve left the house TOO many times to come home to a candle I forgot to blow out! Yikes!) But little lamps cast the same warm glow. And the flameless candles they have now even have a realistic flicker to them!
It should not be surprising that someone who writes about The Light would see the importance of light in daily life. Have you ever examined your books to see if “light” is a recurring theme? Might make an interesting study at some point.
Mike, because of Ken’s use of light in his art, I became much more aware of its importance and significance. I DO notice it in the books I read, and am amazed how it can set a mood. An interesting phenomenon—and when you trace it back to the very creation of light—blows me away. Light chases away darkness. Never the other way around. If you have two rooms side by side, one full of light and the other dark, the light ALWAYS flows into the darkness. Never the other way around. Such an encouragement as we navigate life in a very dark world, but with the Light of the World on our side.
Loved this post, Deb – – and I enjoyed seeing your lovely light-enhanced décor. 🙂
I had to smile as I read, because this afternoon I was looking out my bay window that overlooks our backyard and was thinking about how much I enjoy the sunshine that streams in those windows. As I looked out, I thought about how uplifting the sunshine is, but how the darkness seems to arrive earlier each day (especially since the time changed). So I’m very thankful to have plenty of lights and lamps in my home (and you’ve given me some great ideas using those little lamps!). ~ When you mentioned candles I also smiled, because as I type this I have a scented candle lit right next to my computer! 🙂 That is the only item I “splurge” on from time to time—I will treat myself to a scented candle (and my family has kindly given me quite a few as gifts).
Now I’m humming “This Little Light of Mine” and STILL smiling!! 😉
Hugs, Patti Jo
Well, you made me smile, too, so we’re even. 😉