The recompense for the short, dark days of January lies, surely, in the opportunity they afford to create cosy, comforting cocoons inside our homes. Through the days when very little will tempt us out into the cold, the lure of the great indoors is all the greater, especially if it is cossetting and comforting. And the shortest cut we know to creating such an enveloping atmosphere is through the judicious use of ambient and warm lighting.

Here we round up the lamps that bestow soft, golden glows that mimic the gentle smoulder of candlelight, making them not only atmospheric, but flattering too. And we could all use a little help in that department through the sun-depleted days.