Each living room should include a combination of ambient and direct lighting. Accent lighting is an optional extra.
Essential elements of lighting:
- At least one or more light fixtures , preferably a living room ceiling light that can diffuse light throughout the room.
- at least one lamp - Floor lamps in living rooms are popular for diffusing brighter light in a more diffused way, while table lamps in living rooms are popular for bringing the light closer to your eyes.
A solution for lighting the living room in an apartment:
If you live in an apartment or a room where you can't install light fixtures , or if you don't want to make any permanent changes, a combination of pendant lights or plug-in wall sconces and portable lamps will work wonders. It's also a great way to save money by avoiding the need to hire an electrician.
Design ideas for a medium-sized living room.
The living room layouts below are designed for a typical-sized living room that can accommodate 3 to 4 people, large enough for a sofa, a television, perhaps an armchair, and a few other small pieces of furniture. Here are some lighting ideas for living rooms:
Option 1: A central light fixture, two wall sconces and a pair of table lamps.
Ambient lighting : (A) Centralized lighting unit and (B) wall lights .
Work lighting : (C) Table lamps .
Ideal for: those who can install light fixtures and who use opposite walls.
Work lighting : (C) Table lamps .
Ideal for: those who can install light fixtures and who use opposite walls.
This arrangement places a decorative light fixture in the center of the room that will illuminate most of the room, then accentuates it with short-range lights closer to the edges of the room.
If your ceilings are high, you might have room to install a chandelier or pendant light . These will hang downwards, and you'll need several extra feet of clearance underneath. But they can add beautiful, themed lighting to your room.
If you don't have enough height, opt for a semi-recessed light fixture close to the ceiling. These have a more decorative design and aren't as boring or unattractive as basic dome lights .
A pair of wall lights on a prominent wall, such as behind a sofa, can provide extra light when needed. Seating is usually placed away from the center of the room, so it's helpful to have additional lighting near where you'll be spending time.
Wall lights can also provide light over your shoulder for reading. You can also place them opposite the sofa, usually behind the television.
Complete the lighting balance by placing a pair of table lamps , either on either side of the sofa, on side tables, or in opposite corners of the room. The lampshades will protect your eyes while remaining within your field of vision.
Placing lamps on the same side of the television allows you to illuminate that area or turn off the lamps while watching the screen. Having other lamps nearby can sometimes help reduce glare from the television.
If your ceilings are high, you might have room to install a chandelier or pendant light . These will hang downwards, and you'll need several extra feet of clearance underneath. But they can add beautiful, themed lighting to your room.
If you don't have enough height, opt for a semi-recessed light fixture close to the ceiling. These have a more decorative design and aren't as boring or unattractive as basic dome lights .
A pair of wall lights on a prominent wall, such as behind a sofa, can provide extra light when needed. Seating is usually placed away from the center of the room, so it's helpful to have additional lighting near where you'll be spending time.
Wall lights can also provide light over your shoulder for reading. You can also place them opposite the sofa, usually behind the television.
Complete the lighting balance by placing a pair of table lamps , either on either side of the sofa, on side tables, or in opposite corners of the room. The lampshades will protect your eyes while remaining within your field of vision.
Placing lamps on the same side of the television allows you to illuminate that area or turn off the lamps while watching the screen. Having other lamps nearby can sometimes help reduce glare from the television.
And consider this …
If you place your main living room light fixture on a separate switch or circuit, you now have the option of achieving 3 different light levels, including a pleasant and comfortable room using only wall lights and table lamps .
If you place your main living room light fixture on a separate switch or circuit, you now have the option of achieving 3 different light levels, including a pleasant and comfortable room using only wall lights and table lamps .
Option 2: A pair of pendant lights, a torchiere floor lamp and a table lamp.
Ambient lighting : (B) Floor lamp and (C) Table lamp .
Task lighting : (A) Light fixtures suspended above seats.
Ideal for: You can install light fixtures and you also want a secondary and/or portable lighting level.
Task lighting : (A) Light fixtures suspended above seats.
Ideal for: You can install light fixtures and you also want a secondary and/or portable lighting level.
Pendant lights can be hung above an area of the living room where you don't necessarily stand, for example above a sofa or armchair, a table or other piece of furniture.
Because they provide a more concentrated downward light in a specific area, pendant lights can be used almost like task lights to highlight certain parts of the room.
To complement the downward-directed light, place a torch-style floor lamp in the corner of the room. Floor lamps tend to have a higher wattage or lumen output than table lamps and can significantly enhance the ambient light.
A torchiere or torchiere-style floor lamp directs light upwards, reflecting it off the ceiling and complementing pendant lights to increase overall lighting. Some torchiers also feature a reading arm, making them useful next to a chair.
Complete the look with mid-level light from a table lamp . Placed in a corner or next to a key seating area, it can help you see for specific tasks and also draw attention to a more active part of the room.
Because they provide a more concentrated downward light in a specific area, pendant lights can be used almost like task lights to highlight certain parts of the room.
To complement the downward-directed light, place a torch-style floor lamp in the corner of the room. Floor lamps tend to have a higher wattage or lumen output than table lamps and can significantly enhance the ambient light.
A torchiere or torchiere-style floor lamp directs light upwards, reflecting it off the ceiling and complementing pendant lights to increase overall lighting. Some torchiers also feature a reading arm, making them useful next to a chair.
Complete the look with mid-level light from a table lamp . Placed in a corner or next to a key seating area, it can help you see for specific tasks and also draw attention to a more active part of the room.
Do you want to enjoy a comfortable evening?
So turn off the pendant lights and simply use the floor lamp and table lamp for a soothing experience.
So turn off the pendant lights and simply use the floor lamp and table lamp for a soothing experience.
Option 3: A pendant light, a pair of floor lamps and a desk lamp.
Ambient lighting : (B) Floor lamps.
Work lighting : (A) Plug-in backpack-style pendant light and (C) desk lamp.
Ideal for: You cannot install lighting fixtures, but you want general lighting and occasional task lighting.
Work lighting : (A) Plug-in backpack-style pendant light and (C) desk lamp.
Ideal for: You cannot install lighting fixtures, but you want general lighting and occasional task lighting.
If you cannot install light fixtures or wired lighting, the next best option is to use portable lamps or lights that can be plugged into a regular wall outlet.
A pendant light or a plug-in swing light has a chain or cord that "swings" or drapes across the ceiling from hooks, then runs down the wall to a regular electrical outlet.
It's easy to install, requires no electrical experience, and can easily be moved to another part of the room or to a completely different room. Plus, it's portable if you move house.
As a pendant light, the swag light can be placed above an important area, such as a chair or table, or closer to the center of the room if your ceiling is high enough.
Remember that since the vertical position of the Swag pendant light is adjustable, you can place it much closer to the ceiling if you don't have as much space. It can then be used to provide ambient lighting for the entire room or to focus on a specific area.
Floor lamps are your new best friends. They tend to have higher wattage or a brighter light. They can direct light upwards towards the ceiling, to the sides, downwards, or in any direction, depending on the lampshade design.
Place the floor lamps in two complementary corners of the living room, or next to the sofa. These tall floor lamps raise the bulbs above eye level when you are seated and are particularly out of sight if you are behind them when you are sitting on the sofa.
Finally, to give you focused light for occasions when you really need to see certain details, choose an adjustable desk lamp .
The desk lamp can be placed on a side table or desk near where you spend most of your time, and thanks to its adjustable arm, you can move it quickly to focus the light exactly where you need it.
With 3 lamps and a pendant light , each with its own switch, you will have a choice of several lighting levels.
A pendant light or a plug-in swing light has a chain or cord that "swings" or drapes across the ceiling from hooks, then runs down the wall to a regular electrical outlet.
It's easy to install, requires no electrical experience, and can easily be moved to another part of the room or to a completely different room. Plus, it's portable if you move house.
As a pendant light, the swag light can be placed above an important area, such as a chair or table, or closer to the center of the room if your ceiling is high enough.
Remember that since the vertical position of the Swag pendant light is adjustable, you can place it much closer to the ceiling if you don't have as much space. It can then be used to provide ambient lighting for the entire room or to focus on a specific area.
Floor lamps are your new best friends. They tend to have higher wattage or a brighter light. They can direct light upwards towards the ceiling, to the sides, downwards, or in any direction, depending on the lampshade design.
Place the floor lamps in two complementary corners of the living room, or next to the sofa. These tall floor lamps raise the bulbs above eye level when you are seated and are particularly out of sight if you are behind them when you are sitting on the sofa.
Finally, to give you focused light for occasions when you really need to see certain details, choose an adjustable desk lamp .
The desk lamp can be placed on a side table or desk near where you spend most of your time, and thanks to its adjustable arm, you can move it quickly to focus the light exactly where you need it.
With 3 lamps and a pendant light , each with its own switch, you will have a choice of several lighting levels.
Option 4: A ceiling fan with a lighting kit, a reading lamp and a table lamp.
Ambient lighting : (A) Ceiling fan with integrated lighting, and (C) table lamp.
Work lighting : (B) Reading lamp.
Ideal for: You want an all-in-one installed light fixture complemented by a table lamp, then a reading lamp for specialized activities.
Work lighting : (B) Reading lamp.
Ideal for: You want an all-in-one installed light fixture complemented by a table lamp, then a reading lamp for specialized activities.
In a comfortable living room, you sometimes need a ceiling fan not only to cool the room in summer but also to help the heat circulate in winter.
Many ceiling fans come with (or can be fitted with) a light kit, which is a small light fixture usually suspended below the fan. Some fans also have upward-facing lights that add a soft ambient glow reflected off the ceiling, as a more decorative element.
You can operate the fan independently of the lighting unit. The lighting kit can hold one to four bulbs. A fan is typically placed in the center of the room to provide general ambient light, or brighter light if placed above a seat.
To complement the fan , add a reading lamp . Reading lamps have an adjustable arm that extends outwards and shines light downwards. It can be placed next to or behind an armchair or sofa to provide bright, focused light in a small area.
Make sure you check out full-spectrum reading lamps , which are designed to provide natural light that makes reading and other tasks much easier on the eyes, rendering colors more accurate and reducing glare.
Supplement the lighting with an additional table lamp . Since your reading lamp will likely be used primarily near your favorite armchair, the table lamp can be placed in an opposite or complementary corner to balance the overall light and ensure there are no dark corners in the room.
Let your fan keep you at the ideal temperature while your lamps soothe your mood.
Many ceiling fans come with (or can be fitted with) a light kit, which is a small light fixture usually suspended below the fan. Some fans also have upward-facing lights that add a soft ambient glow reflected off the ceiling, as a more decorative element.
You can operate the fan independently of the lighting unit. The lighting kit can hold one to four bulbs. A fan is typically placed in the center of the room to provide general ambient light, or brighter light if placed above a seat.
To complement the fan , add a reading lamp . Reading lamps have an adjustable arm that extends outwards and shines light downwards. It can be placed next to or behind an armchair or sofa to provide bright, focused light in a small area.
Make sure you check out full-spectrum reading lamps , which are designed to provide natural light that makes reading and other tasks much easier on the eyes, rendering colors more accurate and reducing glare.
Supplement the lighting with an additional table lamp . Since your reading lamp will likely be used primarily near your favorite armchair, the table lamp can be placed in an opposite or complementary corner to balance the overall light and ensure there are no dark corners in the room.
Let your fan keep you at the ideal temperature while your lamps soothe your mood.
Option 5: One light fixture near the ceiling, two ceiling lights, a pair of wall lights and one or two accent lamps.
Ambient lighting : (A) Living room ceiling lights , (B) box lamps, (C) wall sconces and (D) accent lamps.
Work lighting : None - uses general ambient light.
Ideal for: You can install a few ceiling lights and you want ambient or general atmosphere lighting and do not need a very focused light.
Work lighting : None - uses general ambient light.
Ideal for: You can install a few ceiling lights and you want ambient or general atmosphere lighting and do not need a very focused light.
This option includes a living room ceiling light such as a semi-recessed fixture . These are more decorative and attractive than a typical dome light and can accommodate up to 3 bulbs.
The ceiling light makes an excellent central light fixture, or you could even install two in a longer room. It will provide ample headroom in most rooms since it's positioned fairly close to the ceiling and will offer powerful general lighting throughout the space.
Add a few wall sconces to one wall to highlight an important area of the room. This could be behind the sofa or on either side of a central feature like a fireplace.
Next, we place a pair of table lamps , which rest on the floor or a low surface and shine upwards, on either side of an important element in the room. They can be placed on either side of a fireplace or in two corners of the room, behind a piece of furniture or illuminating a houseplant to create interesting shadows.
Ceiling lights project light upwards, much of which is reflected off the ceiling as ambient light, but much of the light can also come into contact with a wall or vertical surface, breaking up large expanses of wall or highlighting textures.
To add a finishing touch, choose a few decorative accent lamps . They can work in conjunction with the box lights when the main ceiling lights are off, providing softer ambient lighting and filling the room with a lower level of brightness.
Auxiliary lamps tend to be relatively weak and should therefore be used mainly in the evening, as sunlight overwhelms them.
Put on some romantic music, turn on the accent lamps and you're all set.
The ceiling light makes an excellent central light fixture, or you could even install two in a longer room. It will provide ample headroom in most rooms since it's positioned fairly close to the ceiling and will offer powerful general lighting throughout the space.
Add a few wall sconces to one wall to highlight an important area of the room. This could be behind the sofa or on either side of a central feature like a fireplace.
Next, we place a pair of table lamps , which rest on the floor or a low surface and shine upwards, on either side of an important element in the room. They can be placed on either side of a fireplace or in two corners of the room, behind a piece of furniture or illuminating a houseplant to create interesting shadows.
Ceiling lights project light upwards, much of which is reflected off the ceiling as ambient light, but much of the light can also come into contact with a wall or vertical surface, breaking up large expanses of wall or highlighting textures.
To add a finishing touch, choose a few decorative accent lamps . They can work in conjunction with the box lights when the main ceiling lights are off, providing softer ambient lighting and filling the room with a lower level of brightness.
Auxiliary lamps tend to be relatively weak and should therefore be used mainly in the evening, as sunlight overwhelms them.
Put on some romantic music, turn on the accent lamps and you're all set.
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