Home » Misc » Lighting living room tips

Lighting living room tips


Living room lighting ideas to illuminate your lounge space

(Image credit: Future/James French)

The living room lighting ideas that you choose when designing your scheme can make or break the space. They can set the tone, create the perfect feel and mood and, naturally, fulfil the practical need of providing much needed light as and where you need it.

Lighting is an essential building block to creating a successful scheme.  So when you're planning your living room ideas and looking for a way to create instant atmosphere, it's in designing the right lighting scheme for the space that you'll find instant success.

Our living rooms have many uses, yet all too often we tend to rely on that one central light source. Sometimes, your living room is a space to relax and unwind; on other days, a place to entertain. It can also be somewhere you retreat to to work or a room to play. 

‘Lighting is key to setting the mood in every part of the home, but specifically in the living room, where we often want to achieve different settings,’ explains Sarah Gare, design director at Sarah Gare Interiors . ‘There will be times where you may want to use your lighting to create a calm, tranquil space, where you may want a brightly lit room, or when you might be watching a film and need your living room dimly lit. Your choices will need to be thoroughly considered to create all these moments.’

Day or night, whatever you're using it for, the lighting you choose for your living room should be adaptable to each purpose and task, changing depending on your needs and allowing you to set the mood perfectly.

Living room lighting ideas - 30 ways to illuminate your lounge 

'The right lighting can completely change the look and atmosphere of a room,' says Simon Wallis-Smith, Director and Designer, Fritz Fryer . With this in mind, let's create your dream living room with the perfect lighting scheme.

1. Add warmth with a wash of lighting

(Image credit: Iconic Lights)

Before you buy anything, thinking long and hard about what type of living room you are choosing the lighting for. ‘Is it a more formal living room or a casual family hub type of space?’ asks Rohan Blacker, founder of lighting company Pooky . 

‘Also think about the aesthetics of the room,' continues Rohan, 'you can use a mix of lamps, pendant and wall lights in various finishes to easily dictate style.’

‘The main function of a living room, more than any other space within the home,' he says, 'is to promote a sense of familiarity, relaxation and cosiness – all of which can be enhanced by lighting.’

Start by hanging pendants at different heights like these Otis ceiling shades, £30 each from Iconic Lights for visual variety. You can place them above an area of focus like a console table. Next, choose a table lamp in a similar finish for a coordinated look.

2. Swap out your old lightbulbs for 'smart' versions

(Image credit: Philips Hue)

Five years ago, we might have suggested that you install a dimmer switch as a clever living room lighting idea, giving you control over how brightly your lights shone.  Nowadays, you need simply switch out your lightbulbs for smart versions for the same effect (and with far more functionality).

‘Don’t get overwhelmed by smart lighting and colour-changing lamps, though,’ says Peter Legg, design & brand manager där Lighting Group and The Light Shade Studio . ‘Try smart light bulbs in your existing fittings – the best feature is the ability to dim or turn off lights and create ‘schemes’ on your app via these bulbs. It does take some time to set up scenes, but once set up, you’ll be glad you did.’

Begin with a starter kit from Philips Hue at Amazon which covers two lights and you can link up to 50 in total around your house. When your smart lighting is linked to a smart assistant, you can turn them on and off, adjust the brightness all via voice control. You can also set schedules and design scenes depending on what you're using the room for.

3. Introduce a soft glow

(Image credit: JYSK)

‘Lighting can definitely make or break any interior scheme,' explains Peter Legg from Dar Lighting Group and The Light Shade Studio. 'Living rooms are often used for relaxing, so adding soft, layered light is the way to go.’ 

Low level lighting covered in a naturally diffused shade made from bamboo or rattan casts interesting shadows at floor level.

4. Echo natural light with natural fabrics

(Image credit: Next)

Use your lamp base to add natural texture, like this stacked ball design. 

Palmer floor lamp, £190, Next

5. Keep surfaces clear (but don't lose out on light)

(Image credit: John Lewis & Partners)

Keep desk space clear of clutter - essential if you have a desk area in your living space - using a smart wall light hung above. 

Rohan Blacker from Pooky loves a wall light. ' They add an extra layer to your overhead, table and floor lamp options – they are unobtrusive, pretty and very efficient with space if you aren’t spoilt with lots.’

‘They are beautiful as both ambient and accent lights,’ continues Rohan. ‘They can act as great practical task lighting and can make a striking design statement. ’

6. Make a feature of inset shelving

(Image credit: Future/James French)

‘The more sources of light you have, the more moods you can create. Clustering a few lamps is a great way to add impact to an alcove or mantlepiece,’ says Rohan Blacker from Pooky. 

‘Keep these table lamps soft,’ says Peter, ‘pleated fabric shares are really trending right now. Again, low-wattage bulbs will allow you to build up these layers of light, creating different moods within the room, depending on the time of day or activity.’

7. Choose different lighting from a co-ordinating range

(Image credit: Dunelm)

Choose a cluster light to create a feature above your sofa – a glass design allows you to see any wallpaper pattern through it. 

Natural History Museum three-light cluster ceiling fitting, £85, Dunelm

8. Complement your interior scheme

(Image credit: Future PLC/Mark Scott)

Lighting elements don't always have to shout about their existence. Living room lighting ideas are often thought of as having to include bold pendants and bright shades, but that's not always the case. 

Choose a light which melds beautifully with your living room colour schemes, complementing it without distracting. Following commonly used shapes (whether graphically straight or quirkily curvy) will have the same effect.

9. Go for pattern on pattern

(Image credit: Future PLC/Carolyn Barber)

If you have patterned living room wallpaper ideas in your space, it might be tempting to choose a very simple wall light - or eschew them altogether. Instead, take this as an opportunity to create an extra dimension.

A textured wall light can appear to have a pattern of its own, and will look striking against even the busiest of wallpapers. Just make sure that it's a neutral colour as both pattern and colour clashing can be a little overwhelming.

10. Layer your lighting

(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)

One thing that should never be forgotten with living room lighting ideas is layering. No matter how large or small your space, whether it's ultra modern or quietly country, or if you subscribe to living room trends or not, layering is key to a successful scheme.

Make sure you account for all your activities and moods. Use an overhead light for blanket brightness, floor lamp and wall lights for ambience, and reading lights for focus time.

11. Choose a sculptural style

(Image credit: Future PLC/Carolyn Barber)

Lighting doesn't just have to be practical - it can be pretty and artistic, too. A beautifully sculptural lamp will add a new dimension to your surfaces, and can become a focal point in and of itself. 

Choose an option with shapes or colours which tone in with your other decorative items for a cohesive feel.

12. Add drama with a modern ceiling light

(Image credit: Future PLC/Davide Lovatti)

A contemporary ceiling light will add a splash of drama to your space. Look for designs which incorporate brass, opaque glass and sculptural shapes for the utmost interest in modern living room ideas.

And remember, in this case, bigger can most definitely be better, so have some fun with it.

13. Source a vintage chandelier

(Image credit: Future PLC/Anna Stathaki)

For a unique addition to your living room lighting ideas while being kind to the environment (win win), find a vintage piece.

Look to mid-century living room ideas for inspiration. The softly undulating shapes and use of glass and metal are sure to create a one of a kind feel in your home.

14. Pick the perfect pendant

(Image credit: Future PLC/Brent Darby)

'Investing in a feature ceiling light helps to transform your space in two ways: it draws the eye upwards and opens the space up, and tricks the eye into thinking that the space is bigger than it is,' says Natalie Mann, New Product Development Co-Ordinator at Iconic Lights .

'It's not always necessary to opt for an overhead living room lighting ideas,' adds Jo Aynsley, Designer Director, Jeffreys Interiors . 'But comes down to design preference and how you plan to use the room.'

15. Add on-trend texture with woven pendant shades

(Image credit: Future PLC/Carolyn Barber)

Changing a light shade can be transformative to a rooms decor. Not to mention simple and cost effective. 

Natural textures will add a touch of biophilia to the space, helping you to relax to the max. Plus, these type of rustic living room ideas design details look just as striking when the bulbs are switched off.

16. Keep wall lights simple and sophisticated

(Image credit: Fritz Fryer)

'Wall lights are a great addition to a living room,' says Natalie from Iconic Lights. 'They act as a much softer alternative to an overhead light and add visual interest to the walls.' Keep the design simple and understated for a sophisticated finish.

'Living room wall lighting ideas are great for an ambient tone,' adds Simon from Fritz Fryer. 'They create a low level of light and bring out features in a room. It's all about balancing the layers.'

17. Lean into a theme

(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes)

The best way to make all your living room lights blend seamlessly, without being too matchy-matchy is by coordinating a theme. For coastal living room ideas, for example, you might want to combine enamel shades with traditional glass Fishermans pendants.

By using a combination of materials and shapes, you'll create a more relaxed, organic vibe in the room. Less show home and more authentically collected.

18. Zone open-plan layouts

(Image credit: Original BTC)

'By creating light and shade areas, you can have cosier spaces within open-plan living room ideas,' says Simon from Fritz Fryer. 'Mix up the layers of light, highlight architectural features with accent lighting and don't over-light ares that don't need illuminating.'

'Look at your room and decide where function lighting is needed and mood lighting is required,' adds Natalie from Iconic Lights. 'There'll be some crossover between the two, so dimmer switches will give flexibility to switch between function and mood lighting.'

19. Mismatch lamp shades

(Image credit: Pooky)

Do all lamp shades in a room have to match? 'No,' says Jo from Jeffreys Interiors. 'Unless they are a matching pair. For wall lights though, it's best to match.'

'It's important to work out what kind of living room lighting ideas you want,' adds Natalie from Iconic Lights. 'The weight and colour of the shade will impact the amount and tone of light emitted. If you want brightness, consider mesh shades or glass. Or dispense with shades and go for exposed bulbs- Edison-style.'

20. Illuminate dark corners

(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes)

If you have a dark corner, such as an alcove beside your fireplace ideas, a lamp can prove invaluable. This helps to illuminate the space, to make the room feel bigger and add depth. It can also help to make it feel more characterful after dark, as the shadows play with the space to create interest in contrast to the light bouncing directly off a flat wall.

You can chose to direct the light slightly more into the alcove, as opposed to shining it directly outwards – as desired.

21. Mimic natural light with wall lights

(Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme)

Placement is an all important factor when it comes to lighting, for any room. We tend to use living rooms throughout the day, so mimicking the natural light with well-placed lighting options is a good idea.

If you have skylights in your living room, place the wall lights directly beneath. Once dark outside these will help replace the lost light, giving the room a consistent brightness

22. Play with scale

(Image credit: Future PLC/Lizzie Orme)

'Think about the size of the room and scale of chosen design' advises Suzy McMahon, buying director at Sofology . 'The addition of a large floor lamp can draw the eye, adding personality and making a statement.'

'However, for small living room ideas, consider floor lamps with slim bases that won’t take up too much space; these also offer a way to light darker corners and hallways without being imposing. '

23. Bring symmetry with matching table lamps

(Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore)

Take a tip from the interior designers and double up for a more professional, put-together look for with your living room lighting ideas. Two identical table lamps used either side of the sofa can really anchor a scheme, especially when set on matching tables.

24. Go glam with a glass droplet chandelier

(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore)

Chandeliers might not be as popular as they were ten years ago, when shabby chic fixtures were all the rage. But they can still be a classy and contemporary lighting option. 

When used as a central lighting choice, it may be that you hardly use this as your lighting option – it can be there to provide more of a decorative purpose. 

A top tip when choosing chandelier is to opt for a dimmer switch, to allow you to control how bright the light is. Use to the nature of having multiple arms, these designs can often be very bright.

25. Mix-and-match lampshades and bases

(Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore)

The right table lamp can brighten up a room even when it's turned off. The trick here is to mix pattern with block colour and to take two contrasting colours to come up with a combo that really pops. 

It's an easy but effective way of creating interest with small living room lighting ideas.

26. Welcome fashionable flex

(Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore)

The lamp flex – AKA the cable that runs to the plug socket – is having a moment. No longer the poor cousin to a a flashier shade or even bulb, it's being allowed to make its own style statement.

Add a little splash of colour and pattern to simple living room ideas, or co-ordinate in more maximalist spaces.

27. Co-ordinate with your furniture

(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore)

For a truly cohesive and considered feel, work your living room lighting ideas in with your furniture choices. Choose a light in a colour to match a hero piece in your space, such as the sofa or a statement ottoman. 

28. Add adjustable wall lighting

(Image credit: Future PLC/Nick Smith)

Wall lighting provide the perfect way to create a more directional approach with fixed lighting. Choosing living room lighting ideas that sit on the wall with adjustable rams allows you to concentrate pools of light exactly where you want them to shine, a great characteristic in open-plan living spaces.

29. Introduce natural light with skylights

(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore)

You might think adding roof lights is a huge structural undertaking, but it can be surprisingly easy – especially if you only opt to add one or two. However, the transformation will be instant and dramatic. Velux is a good place to start your research – and if you'd prefer a larger roof lantern, try Apropos.

'Getting the balance right between natural living room lighting ideas and fitted lamps can be tricky, so think about what exactly you need,' adds Natalie from Iconic Lights.

30. Make a grown-up display of string lights

(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore)

Fairy lights don't have to be exclusive to Christmas trees and kids' rooms. Pick the right design and they can be used tastefully to light up a dark corner for budget living room ideas.

Cotton ball string lights are ideal – provided you stick to tones like white, taupe or soft grey, you're on to a style winner.

What are the main types of living room lighting?

'There are three distinct types of lighting; task, ambient and accent,' explains Simon from Fritz Fryer. 'It will help you to choose the correct lighting if you understand the difference between these.

'Task lighting, such as desk lights or spotlights, has a practical purpose. ambient lighting like wall lights, table and floor lamps, and dimmable ceiling lights creates constant lighting. Accent lighting captures features, creates drama or alters atmosphere.'

'The best schemes include multiple layers of lighting, all doing their bit to create desired levels of illumination and flexibility. '

How do I choose a light for my living room?

(Image credit: Pooky)

When working out how to design a living room, lighting should be central to your plans. The style is up to you and your personal tastes, but there are some rules of thumb to help guide you along.

'Choosing living room lighting ideas and designs with mixed materials such as metal and glass adds texture whilst keeping the look contemporary,' advises Suzy from Sofology. 'Although it's not necessary to match a light's materials to other pieces in the room, it's worth opting for styles that complement each other for a cohesive décor scheme.'

'For example, if your wallpaper features a lot of green, selecting a lampshade in a similar colour will tie the look together.'

How do I get mood lighting in my living room?

'Whether they're wall-mounted dimmable switches or touch lamps with three settings, being able to dim your lights or make them brighter makes for a comprehensive set up,' advises Natalie from Iconic Lights

It's about being flexible, explains Simon from Fritz Fryer. 'Warming up the colour temperature of a light will add depth and create cosy living room ideas. Whereas a cooler light temperature will bring energy levels back up in the room.'

'Successful schemes include lots of layers and the flexibility to individually control each layer, by either dimming or turning on and off.'

Thea Babington-Stitt is the Assistant Editor for Ideal Home. Thea has been working across some of the UK’s leading interiors titles for nearly 10 years. 

She started working on these magazines and websites after graduating from City University London with a Masters in Magazine Journalism. Before moving to Ideal Home, Thea was News and Features Editor at Homes & Gardens, LivingEtc and Country Homes & Interiors.

With contributions from

Lighting a Living Room - Shades of Light

For many families, the living room is arguably the most important room in the home. Host to a versatile range of activities from entertaining guests to spending quality time with family or unwinding after a long workday, the living room should be designed to meet all your family’s needs in both comfort and style. Living rooms need careful considerations for functional lighting as poorly placed lights can impede even the most basic living room activities, like watching TV or chatting with friends. To keep this room comfortable and tailored to your needs, you will have to create layers of light that can be easily adjusted depending on whatever you are using your living room for at the moment. Layering lighting refers to the practice of lighting a space using fixtures that fulfill one or more of the following types of illumination: ambient, task, decorative, and accent. Missing any one layer of light as you design your living room can leave things dim, gloomy, and hard to work with. As you plan how to light your living room, use these tips, tricks, and recommendations to avoid common mistakes and create a swoon-worthy room you’ll love to show off!

Types of Lighting for the Living Room

Living Room Table Lamps

Because the living room is so versatile, it is particularly important that you use multiple types of lighting throughout the room. There are four different types of living room lighting and truly spectacular living rooms use all four in personalized configurations to keep the room stylish and easy to use.

Four Types of Living Room Lights: Ambient, Task, Accent & Decorative

• What is ambient lighting? Ambient lighting is the base layer of light and brings a diffuse, all-over glow to the room. It accents natural light and illuminates the spaces between other lighting layers to eliminate dark areas and unflattering and distracting shadows. Generally speaking, living room chandeliers, living room table lamps, and living room ceiling lights are used to create this base lighting layer.

• What is task lighting? Task lighting is the lighting layer that addresses the specific needs of any work you and your family do in the living room. Reading, knitting, crafting, and game night with the family are all examples of tasks you may perform in your living room that requires extra directed light. Living room floor lamps, swing arm wall lights, hanging pendant lights, and living room desk lamps are all fixtures that are specifically designed to shine light onto your work surfaces, and many of them are adjustable so you can tuck them out of the way when not in use and reposition them when you start to work.

• What is accent lighting? Accent lighting emphasizes your personal style by illuminating wall art, family photos, architectural details, and other decor elements of your living room. Living room wall lights, amiable living room track lights, some recessed lighting, and LED strip lighting can all be used to draw attention to unique design elements of your room. Accent lighting can serve functional purposes as well as decorative—for example, LED strip lights positioned behind your television can help reduce eyestrain on movie night!

• What is decorative lighting? Decorative lighting mixes lighting and decor to create your unique living room style. Lights that serve ambient, task, or accent functions can also serve as decorative lighting decor, making it easy to find fixtures that fulfill this need while addressing other illumination concerns. Colorful art glass pendant lights are a beautiful example of one-of-a-kind decorative lights.

As you examine a particular light for your living room, consider if it provides task, ambient, accent, or decorative lighting; some lights will fulfill more than one illumination need, like a floor lamp with a moveable reading arm which can function as both ambient and task lighting.

How to Improve Living Room Lighting

If your goal is to improve upon your existing living room lighting rather than design a new layout from scratch, there are a few easy adjustments you can make to drastically improve the quality of your living room illumination.

The simplest change you can make is to swap out your living room lightbulbs. Making the switch from incandescent bulbs to LED bulbs is a good way to get brighter light in your room since LED bulbs have higher lumen outputs at lower wattages than incandescent bulbs. You should also pay attention to the color temperature of your bulbs—the ideal color range for living room bulbs is between 2700K and 3000K, often called soft white. If you tend to like cooler, whiter light, lights between 3000K and 4000K, usually called warm white, appear less yellow than the ‘soft white’ range but still give a warm, cozy ambiance to the room.

If you have shaded lamps in your living room, new lamp shades can go a long way to sprucing up your decor. Lighter colored shades will let more ambient light out into the room, while darker shades will help to dim the lighting output of your lamp. As a bonus, new shades can also update older table lamps with a trendier aesthetic that helps you match existing fixtures to your current decor.

As you reposition the lighting in your living room, be aware of creating glare and blocking views through the room. Move any fixtures that cast light directly on your television. Make careful adjustments, so table and floor lamps don’t interfere with the lines of sight between your living room seating. Don’t shine light directly on top of seating (where it will cast a spotlight on anyone sitting below it) and instead angle lighting on coffee table tables tops; you can also shine light directly on the walls to aid in ambient illumination.

Finally, install dimmers so you can cater your light to the mood no matter what you are using your living room for in the moment.

Living Room Ceiling Lighting Ideas

To kick your living room lighting project off right, start with a living room ceiling light. For the purposes of this guide, ‘ceiling light’ will refer to any fixture mounted on the ceiling, including hanging fixtures, flush mounts, and semi-flush mounts—but as you search for the perfect living room light, be aware that the phrase ‘ceiling light’ typically refers to flush mount and semi-flush mount style fixtures.

Living room ceiling lights often serve as stunning centerpieces and focal points in lighting decor while filling much of a room’s ambient lighting needs. Living room chandeliers or large pendant lights make gorgeous living room statement pieces, especially in rooms with high ceilings. Living room flush mount ceiling lights are slimmer, subtler fixtures that can bring streamlined style to smaller spaces or rooms with low ceilings. You can also use recessed living room lighting or track lighting to add extra oomph to your ambient lighting and supplement your decorative fixtures.

Remember to install these fixtures on dimmers for max adjustability, and refrain from mounting ceiling lights directly over chairs and sofas. Pendants, chandeliers, and lanterns should be mounted, so the bottom of the fixture hangs roughly seven feet from the ground—but don’t be afraid to bring the fixture higher if there is a risk of the light creating a hazard, such as if you or your family are tall or the light is hung over an area that sees heavy foot traffic. Also be aware of the lines of sight in your room—hanging fixtures shouldn’t impede the view to the television or any artistic focal points or block the view between rooms in an open concept space.

Ceiling Light Styles for the Living Room

The right light perfectly accents your living room style in addition to bringing the right type of illumination. As you search for living room ceiling lights, consider how each fixture will affect the vibe of your room.

• If farmhouse chic fashion speaks to you, chose a rustic living room chandelier to make a big statement.

• Glass pendant lights accent a sleek, minimalist aesthetic gorgeously and give rooms an open, breezy feel. You can make a small room feel larger or underscore a spacious design by using clear glass fixtures.

• Classic decor is classic for a reason; if elegant traditionalism is your style, hang a glamorous living room crystal chandelier to make your home the talk of the town.

• Accent bold, rugged rooms with wrought iron ceiling lights or cage ceiling lights and bring an industrial flair that imparts a striking ambiance.

Wall Lighting Ideas & Tips for the Living Room

Living room wall lamps can fulfill multiple lighting needs depending on the design of the lamp. Swing arm sconces provide ideal task lighting for your favorite reading chair. Picture lights illuminate artwork or family photos. Shaded sconces add ambient lighting to supplement your central ceiling fixture. All of these living room wall lights can also serve as decorative fixtures to accent the decor of your living room.

Living Room Wall Sconces

When planning the layout for any living room wall sconces, keeping function and balance in mind is incredibly important. As you decide where you will hang your wall lights, make a note of how a light mounted in this area will affect the symmetry of the room. Sconces look particularly stylish hung in pairs, for example, on either side of a fireplace or mantel. If some design element of the room prevents you from mounting two matching fixtures, you can still achieve a balanced look by filling the corresponding space in another way. For instance, if you have a sconce mounted on one side of your sofa, you might place a table lamp at the other end to fill the empty space. A swing arm in your reading nook can be matched to a mirror, or a small bookshelf hung on the other side of the chair. Matching the right sized fixture to your room is also important for maintaining that illusion of balance. Larger lamps work best in large rooms and more petite fixtures fit into smaller rooms.

Living Room Wall Sconce Hanging Tips

• How high to hang sconces: When positioning your sconce on the wall, ensure the bottom of the sconce hits at roughly eye level, which keeps the bulb from shining directly at your line of sight. In most cases, this will be around 66-72 inches above the floor (keep to the lower end of the range for living rooms with low ceilings and the higher range for living rooms with high ceilings). Don’t mount sconces where they will impede walkways—or chose sconces with slim designs for high traffic areas.

• How far apart should wall sconces be?: For most rooms, position sconces about six feet apart. However, this suggestion can be tailored to your personal taste, preference, and space—if the layout of your room necessitates mounting fixtures slightly closer together or farther apart than six feet, use your best judgment to personalize your look.

• How far should sconces be from the fireplace?: The distance of your sconces in relation to your fireplace will be largely dependent on the size of your mantel. Aim to mount your sconces about eight inches from either end of the mantel—however, if you have a large mantel, you can mount your sconces closer than eight inches since the longer mantel will create more space between the lights themselves. As always, personal taste is important here—don’t be afraid to adjust the distance if the eight-inch guideline doesn’t seem to suit your room.

Best Lamps for the Living Room

Living Room Floor Lamps

Adding living room lamps is the best way to supplement the ambient lighting in your living room. These fixtures are portable and easily positioned in areas that need an extra brightness boost, either because your hardwired fixtures aren’t bright enough alone, or because architectural or electrical features prevent the installation of a ceiling or wall light.

Place living room table lamps on matching end tables to create balance and a more intimate light source for your living room seating. Two table lamps positioned at either end of a buffet is also a stylish and timeless option.

When choosing your living room table lamps, find lamps that are no more than 1.5 times the height of your end table (so if your end table is 30 inches tall, your table lamp, including the shade, should be 45 inches tall or less. ) The table and lamp together should be around 54 to 64 inches tall. Look for lamps with shades that do not overhang the tabletop the lamp will be placed on— if possible, find a lamp with a shade that is 2 inches less in diameter than the width of the tabletop. These measurements can, of course, be tweaked to fit personal preference, but choosing lamps that are too tall or shades that are too wide can create uncomfortable hazards or a poorly weighted design aesthetic.

Living room floor lamps are wonderful for bringing light to dark, shadowy corners that your ceiling light might not be able to reach. Additionally, Floor lamps are stellar options for fulfilling more than one decor need. Many have adjustable arms so you can aim the light where you need it. Some floor lamps feature an ambient uplight as well as an adjustable swing arm. Others have built-in end tables for areas where space is a concern.

The height of your perfect floor lamp will depend on you and the decor you’ve chosen for your room. Generally, living room standing lamps will fall between 58 and 64 inches tall. The bulb of a properly sized lamp (or the bottom of the shade) will be above eye level of a seated person—so if you have a low slung couch, choose a shorter lamp, and if you have high seating, look for a taller lamp. If you’ve chosen to mix and match different floor lamps in your living room, choose lamps that are roughly the same height.

Living Room Lighting Ideas for an Apartment

Living Room Chandeliers

Lighting an apartment living room comes with its own challenges concerning space and style. And renters will often have to adhere to guidelines that homeowners may not regarding the installation of new fixtures or the replacement of old ones. These tips are perfect for small spaces and any rooms where installing a permanent fixture isn’t feasible.

• If space is a concern, a small chandelier, lantern, or oversized pendant can make a gorgeous statement without making the room feel too cluttered or close.

• A well-placed living room wall mirror (hung facing a window if possible) helps reflect light throughout the room and makes the area appear bigger.

• If your living room doesn’t have a hardwired living room ceiling light, use oversized arched floor lamps to supplement overhead lighting or find corded pendants that can be swagged to an outlet.

• Cord-and-plug swing arms and wall sconces are easy to install and great for conserving floor and table space.

• The right light bulbs also make a world of difference, so make sure you choose bulbs that fall into the right color range (2700K-3000K for a warm, cozy feel, or as high as 4000K if you prefer cooler light).

Top 10 Living Room Lighting Tips - INMYROOM

The living room in every home does several things at once. functions. It can receive guests, watch TV, chat, read. This is the main reason why lighting is important in this room. multifunctional. Also important is the correct location of the switches and each outlet.

Main lighting

In most cases, general lighting in the living room is used when the main part The premises is a place for guests. This requires a chandelier, single-lamp hanging lamps and plafonds.

According to the size of the room, it is important to choose ceiling lamp. At the same time, the interior and your taste are taken into account. Main attention when placing must be paid to the geometric center of the ceiling. AT in some cases, the lamp is installed directly above the table for eating.

Chandeliers in the style of classics. They are very diverse due to the advent of technical innovations. To for example, some of them have mounts for the ceiling to change light direction.

Local

To make it easier to highlight some interior details and perform light zoning, apply local lighting in the living room. There are no more lamps for ceiling. The recreation area should be equipped with local lighting. After all, here most often they read books, communicate in the family circle and spend evenings. For maximum comfort, it is necessary to choose a good local lighting. To in the seating area was nice to sit in, needed a floor lamp, table lamp or sconce.

Soft and subdued light is best aimed at the place where the TV is. If the room has a fireplace, then it is better to use sophisticated table lamps. Also suitable are lamps made of bronze material and having the shape of a candlestick.

Spot

To make a painting, an original figurine and others art objects did not go unnoticed using spot lighting in the living room, which will emphasize their beauty. Also, spotlight can play the role of additional lighting.

One of the varieties of spot lighting the appliance is spot on. Its design can accommodate either one or several lamps. They provide rotation in a given direction, and this allows you to favorably emphasize one of the fragments of the interior.

directional light fixtures. They can perfectly illuminate objects and those places where space is limited.

Intelligent

lead to some inconvenience. After all, they are difficult to manage. This problem solved with smart lighting systems.

This system makes it easier to control everything lighting fixtures at the same time. To do this, use the control panel, which can be wall-mounted or purchased portable.

Such "smart" lighting has the function of reacting to the appearance of a person. At the same time, immediately the light is on. In addition, you can set the required brightness. 4 minutes after being turned on, this appliance will turn off by itself if there is no movement.

Zoning Basics

When developing a project for a living room, allocate certain zones. Basically, you need to pay special attention to the dining a table, chairs, a resting place where a sofa and a TV are placed.

Areas worth paying attention to can be be more, it all depends on your preference. And just in order to highlight or darken, use general, local and decorative lighting.

Engineering

Care must be taken to ensure that place wall lights. To do this, pay attention to the following recommendations:

1. TV. This can ruin the visibility of the screen due to unwanted glare from lamp.

2. Room proportions, ceiling height and the design of the sconce should affect the height of the luminaire. Dimensions should vary from 1.2 to 1.6 m.

3. If you have a classic interior, then luminaires must be placed symmetrically.

For determining the hanging height of the ceiling lamp, you need to know the height of the ceiling. Here are some tips:

1. If the ceiling is low or the lamp located in a passageway, then the height of the lamp should be 2.1 m and above.

2. If necessary, hang the lamp over the table for food or a table for reading, then it is allowed to lower the lamp a little lower.

For those who plans the lighting of the living room, then special attention must be paid to the degree of illumination, which should be in area 200 lux. You can see the lighting options in the living room, photos of which are presented below.

Design tips

Before starting design and design, to achieve the best effect and result, without errors - use practical recommendations from professionals in this sphere.

№1

Decided to choose a light source with an original design? It is important to remember the sense of proportion. Indeed, in this case, it is worth avoiding the use of other spectacular elements - it will not be beautiful.

№2

If the walls in the living room are pastel and the furniture is made in light colors, then the room will be bright even without additional lamps. But here it will not do without the original floor lamp.

№3

Different types of living room lighting will help to ozonize the room. To do this, use decorative lighting and spotlights. It is better to hang an original chandelier in the dining area.

No. 4

If you want to do it in the living room minimalist style, then a round metal lamp will help with this.

№5

If the living room is spacious and has a lot of glossy surfaces, it is better to hang one large chandelier, which is worth place in the center of the room.

№6

If the room is small, you can apply three types of light. So, you can divide a small room into three parts: dining room, living room and hallway.

No. 7

Place next to the sofa a table lamp, if they work there.

№8

To make the living room elegant and solemn, you can install crystal chandeliers.

#9

Suitable for TV LED lighting for a cozy atmosphere.

#10

The darker the room, the bigger it is needs lighting.

Photo gallery

A selection of photos to create an original interior with lighting in the living room.

Video

Lighting in the living room: rules, photos, designer's advice

Competent lighting scenarios are necessary for the interior to be functional and beautiful. We figure out together with the designer how to properly organize the lighting in the living room

Photo: Pexels

Expert advice for living room lighting with different features.

Material checked and commented by Tatyana Bobyleva, interior designer

www.adv.rbc.ru

What should be the lighting in the living room

The living room is a gathering place for the whole family and guests. Unlike a bedroom, where lighting can be calm and spotty, a large room should have enough light sources for any time of day. In the living room you can relax, chat, play sports, receive guests, play board games or spend evenings reading books.

When planning the design of this room, take care of a sufficient number of sockets. First of all, choose a large chandelier that fits the area of ​​​​the room, and then single-lamp pendant lights on the walls. If the ceiling height allows, you can choose a chandelier on chains or a long stand. In addition to the main light source, additional lamps are useful.

Lighting in the kitchen-living room

In the case when the functionality of two rooms is combined in one room, it makes sense to add light zoning of the space. For this, local lighting is suitable. Instead of large ceiling chandeliers, opt for floor lamps, table lamps, and LED lighting on the walls.

Photo: Pexels

Think over possible scenarios for pastime: for family holidays with a large number of guests, general bright lighting is needed, for a friendly party, the opportunity to leave the light at the table and connect color music. The ideal solution would be automatic light control with the ability to adjust each individual zone.

Photo: Pexels

If you are planning a design for a country house that has a fireplace, you can limit yourself to table lamps or choose wall sconces, placing them on both sides.

Photo: Pexels

Lighting in the bedroom-living room

In the bedroom-living room you need to combine the possibilities of relaxing and active wakefulness. In the sleeping area, background diffused light is needed, but it is often not enough for work or reading. In this case, you can supplement the lighting with wall sconces.

Photo: Pexels

In the area where the TV is located, connect soft subdued lighting - there is no need for bright lamps. Sconces and floor lamps with warm light will not create glare on the screen, which is also true if you work at a computer.

Photo: Pexels

You can mount the LED strip behind the TV panel. Do not forget about bright lamps in the guest area. In addition to the main chandeliers and floor lamps, unblinking garlands are suitable, which create a cozy atmosphere and are relevant at any time of the year, not only on New Year's Eve.

Lighting in the living room with stretch ceilings

Stretch ceilings are exposed to high temperatures, and this feature must be taken into account. Suitable fixtures should be no more than 40-60 watts. Consult with a specialist, consider the type of construction of your ceiling - for example, vinyl can withstand a lower heating load compared to polyester. If you plan to light the living room with halogen lamps, the power of each of them should not exceed 20-35 watts.

Photo: Pexels

In addition, there are separate requirements for the location of the chandelier: the lamps of the central lighting fixture must be at least 15 cm away from the tension structure. This rule applies to situations where fairly powerful light sources (70 W and above) are used ). Designers prefer LED lamps; they do not emit much heat and are safe for stretch ceilings.

Living room lighting with low ceilings

Good lighting allows you to visually enlarge the space. So, LED lighting is often used around the perimeter of the ceiling, thanks to which it visually deepens. Light directed upwards also "pulls" the walls, so the lamps can illuminate not only interior items, but also the ceiling.

Photo: Pinterest

Choose appliances with warm light - cool light is more suitable for commercial premises and sales areas. In low rooms, small chandeliers look good, the light of which is directed upwards.

Adhere to the rule: if the ceiling lamp is located in a passageway (not above the table), then it should not be lower than 2.2 m from the floor.

Lighting in a small living room

It is important not to overload a small room with furniture. Therefore, focus on wall sconces, not floor sconces, add spots to illuminate shelves on racks. For variations in case of rearrangement, choose swivel lights with the ability to adjust the brightness level.

Photo: Pexels

A small living room needs a chandelier mounted as close to the ceiling as possible. Skip the stylish tiered options and models with pendants. An original solution can be a backlit panel with a waterfall, especially if there is a need to zone a room by fencing off part of it.

Style and Lighting

Don't forget that chandeliers, wall lamps and floor lamps must match the overall style of the interior.

Photo: Pexels

Modern dark geometric patterns are not suitable for Provence-style living rooms, and voluminous sconces will stand out from the aesthetics of a Scandinavian room. In the latter, it is better to give preference to minimalist models, including those made from natural materials in neutral shades.

Photo: Pexels

Forged details, floral patterns and symmetry look good in a classic interior, functional elements in hi-tech, and metal floor lamps, spider chandeliers and long chains are suitable for a loft.

Expert comment

Tatyana Bobyleva, interior designer:

— I agree that we need to start with planning lighting scenarios.

Learn more