WITH winter nights drawing in, there’s nothing better than curling up with a hot chocolate, a cheesy film and some suitable mood lighting.

Since the clocks went back, the majority of us now get up in the dark, drive to work in the gloom, and drive home in the gloom and get home in the dark.

From dimmers to candles, lamps to lanterns, when 90 per cent of your social time is spent in the dark, investing in some good quality lighting could make all the difference in keeping the winter blues away.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is also known as "winter depression" because the symptoms are more apparent and tend to be more severe at this time of the year. The symptoms often begin in the autumn as the days start getting shorter. They are most severe during December, January and February.

The exact cause of SAD is still not fully understood, but it is thought to be linked to reduced exposure to sunlight during the shorter days of the year. Making your home as comfortable and well lit as possible could help counteract the symptoms of SAD.

So you see, whichever lights you use, they are an important in ensuring your emotional well-being. Plus, who doesn’t want to go home to a lovely, warm and snugly living room?

1. Wilkos Wilde Tealights, £3 from Wilkinsons. These adorable tea lights are perfect to scatter anywhere in the house and are perfect for popping on the dinner table if you have guests. They are super cheap too.

2. Marks & Spencer Boho Owl Table Lamp, £49.50 from www.marksandspencers.co.uk. This adorable lamp isn't just for winter, it's for life.

3. Emma Bridgewater Live Well Look Well Tea & Oranges Scented Candle, £18 from www.marksandspencer.co.uk. This deliciously fresh smelling candle will invigorate and life your mood. The citrus scent was inspired by memories of making marmalade, along with a waft of smoky China tea, coriander and cardamom makes this the ultimate comfort candle.

4. Isme Ananbelle crystal pendant ceiling light, £39 from www.isme.com. This very reasonably priced ceiling light adds a touch of glamour to any room, and wouldbe perfect if you have a dimmer switch.

5. Matalan, diffusers, candles and lanterns gifts, prices vary, from www.matalan.co.uk (main image)

6. Furniture Village Osaka table lamp £75 from www.furniturevillage.co.uk. This gorgeous table lamp has a distincly Mad Men vintage vibe, and would look fantastic in your office, living room or indeed bedroom.

Songs to download and listen to on these cold winter nights:

1. Baby, its cold outside, Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews

2. Ain’t no sunshine, Bill Withers

3. I will survive, Gloria Gaynor

4. Thunderclap for Bobby Pyn, Sonic Youth

5. Hot in herre (sic), Nelly

6. Hurricane, MS MR

7. Let it rain, Erica Clapton

8. November Rain, Guns n’ Roses

9. Thunder, The Prodigy

10. White lightening, Def Leppard