Interior and exterior confidence
Create Academy has been such a great resource. I'm in the middle of renovating a bungalow with a very large garden and the courses have offered a wealth of inform...
Harvey
Jun 10, 2026
with REENA SIMON — Acclaimed author, designer, and founder of Hygge for Home.
Lesson 6 of 12
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Reena highlights the importance of ambient lighting when creating a calm and cosy home. She talks through her approach to layering different types of lighting and utilising these layers to enhance certain areas of the home.
Lighting plays a vital role in setting the mood of a home. Instead of relying solely on a central ceiling light, I prefer using multiple light sources, such as pendant lights, table lamps, and floor lamps. This layered lighting approach helps create a cosy and inviting atmosphere.
I custom-designed many of my lighting fixtures, incorporating materials like textured linen and marble. I also pay close attention to hardware details, believing that even small elements like light switches can enhance a room's sensory experience. One of my favourite brands is Corston, where I sourced solid brass switches and fittings. These tactile, high-quality pieces add a touch of luxury and are often a conversation starter for visitors.
Light switches and hardware from Corston
Lights and Lamps Natural shades collection designed by Reena Simon
Small Narrow Pleat Porcelain Light from deVOL Kitchens
Single Gang Solid Brass Cast Conduit Metal Light Switch from Vintage Electrical
Enamel lights from Heritage Direct
Our clear switches and sockets: a practical guide - Corston
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479 reviews
Read moreCreate Academy has been such a great resource. I'm in the middle of renovating a bungalow with a very large garden and the courses have offered a wealth of inform...
Harvey
Jun 10, 2026
Absolutely love Create Academy! The instructors are extremely informative, and it is beautifully filmed. Create Academy is great value for money and plan on renew...
SG
May 31, 2026
Butter's creativity is stunning! Her ability to incorporate brilliance in small gardens is magical!
Carla
May 30, 2026
The best adventure. I like all the courses, but my favorite are both Rita Konig interior design courses and Anna Jones. Excellent!
Karolina Kluczewska
May 20, 2026
Create Academy has been such a great resource. I'm in the middle of renovating a bungalow with a very large garden and the courses have offered a wealth of information to dive into and explore new ideas. I'm...
Harvey
Jun 10, 2026
Absolutely love Create Academy! The instructors are extremely informative, and it is beautifully filmed. Create Academy is great value for money and plan on renewing my subscription yearly because there are ...
SG
May 31, 2026
Butter's creativity is stunning! Her ability to incorporate brilliance in small gardens is magical!
Carla
May 30, 2026
Your Instructor
Acclaimed author, designer, and founder of Hygge for Home.
Known for her modern Scandinavian aesthetic, Reena has gained a huge social following through her online lifestyle journal Hygge for Home where she shares advice on how to create beautifully designed, joyful living spaces. Documenting her cosy lifestyle Reena shares her journey of building and remodelling a 1960s bungalow into her dream family home, a black-clad cabin-style propoerty with a backdrop which could easily be mistaken for a Swedish landscape and an interior that you could find in any of the Nordic countries. Alongside co-writing a bestselling book, Scandi Rustic, which has sold over 75,000 copies worldwide, her acclaimed substack offers Scandinavian inspiration and innovative design ideas.
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