Relight my fire: Lamps to heat things up this winter

Overhead lighting may be practical, but it rarely does anyone – or any room – many favours. As the afternoons grow shorter and evenings draw in, it’s time to switch the harsh glare of the ceiling light for pieces designed to usher in a welcoming glow, or something altogether more flattering.

These are the designs worth investing in now to create a warmer, softer glow at home, and dinner parties where everyone looks their best.

You're welcome.

Irresistible Ikat

Full of colour and personality, Pooky’s Ikat lampshades (above) which are handmade in silk, cotton and linen, cost from £34 each.

Inviting arrival

Delivering a warm, welcoming glow, the small hanging lattice lantern in stove lacquered antique brass costs £4,212 from Charles Edwards.

Clear view

Forbes & Lomax is known as the home of the Invisible Lightswitch, made from 100% recycled Perspex and inspired by the glass switches of the 1930s, but with the advantages of modern technology. The 1-gang Dolly Invisible switch with matte-brass toggle shown here costs £63.12.

Take your pick

‘Table lamps are a way of adding depth and texture to a space,’ says Hollie Moreland, creative director of David Hunt Lighting, of the new Saddler, Somerset and Bank lamp bases, from £234 each, with Empire and Drum shades, from £114 each.

Switch up

The Soho Lighting Company is launching the Kinetic collection of wireless, battery-free light switches. Each switch harvests a small amount of energy from the movement of your fingertip, wirelessly communicating with a concealed receiver, allowing you to switch and dim your lighting without additional cabling or power to the switch itself — especially useful for renovation projects and listed properties as the switch can be placed exactly where it needs to be without the need for new wiring.

The Palaces Collection nine-gang two-way toggle switch in new finish, Nickel, costs £312, and receiver, £24.95.

Alabaster attraction

Made from fluted alabaster with a cast-metal crown, the Hazel globe light is equally at home above a desk or stairwell, or hung as part of a group above a larger circulation space. It costs £3,360 from Jamb.

 Antique find

This pair of French early-19th-century ormolu candlesticks, converted to table lamps with faux candles and electrified for the UK, costs £5,300 from Julia Boston Antiques, gathered silk shades available separately.

Top spot

Playful colour distinguishes the Beam directional spotlights, each one blending lacquered metal and porcelain and available in sky blue, olive and cherry. Each light costs £160, from London-based MG&Co.

Material mix

Combining an Italian ceramic shade with English brass-work, the Claudia wall light costs £708 from Hector Finch.

A stitch in time

Handstitched in Derbyshire from Makta silk, the Eos lantern is designed to create a warm, atmospheric glow and costs from £1,650 from Beauvamp Studio.

Raising the bar

Designed to make an elegant statement above a dining table or kitchen island, the Regency Bar pendant in brass with woven linen shades costs £349 from Neptune.

Sculptural shape

Taking its shape from a mid-20th-century African tribal pot, the Zulu lamp is formed in cast ceramic and available in dappled Tidal and Parsley finishes. Each lamp and 17in Bongo shade costs £1,748 from Porta Romana.

Bedside beauty

Handmade in the UK from solid brass, the finely perforated Bluebell wall light is ideal for beside the bed, creating both a soft, atmospheric glow and focused light for reading. It costs from £950 from Vanrenen Hanbury.

Colour pop

Vibrant colour adds a touch of joy to the Gothic hanging lantern, available in 16 painted hues. It costs £3,576 from Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler.

Warm note

The striking red, black and gold finish of the Painted Indian red Jaipur lamp base, £130, adds warm colour to brighten up a kitchen or sitting room, shown here with a pretty Lullaby linen pleated shade, from £95, both from Susie Watson Designs.

Spirited take

Bloomsbury Revisited offers a delightful collection of lampshades and bases inspired by the spirit of Charleston, including the 12in Pea and Lily Dark shade, £135, on a handpainted tall square-stemmed base, £150, shown here.

Focal point

The cut-glass droplets of the Catherington chandelier catch and reflect the light, adding to the romance of this sparkling piece, dramatic in silhouette and scale. It costs £26,995 from Vaughan.

Character piece

Handmade in Wales, Penny Morrison’s latest collection of pleated lampshades includes Evora, shown here in teal and red with a bitter-chocolate silk trim, from £216, atop a Savitri Mata lamp base, from £655.

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This feature originally appeared in the November 4, 2026, issue of Country Life. Click here for more information on how to subscribe.