Every living room should have a combination of ambient and task lighting . Accent lighting is an optional extra touch.
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 are popular for casting brighter light in a more diffuse way, while table lamps are popular for bringing 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 you don't want to make a permanent change, a combination of plug - in pendant lights or wall sconces and portable lamps will work wonders. It's also a great way to save money by not having to call an electrician.
Medium Size Living Room Design Ideas.
The living room layouts below are designed for a typical sized living room that seats 3-4 people, with enough room for a sofa, a TV, maybe an armchair, and a few other small pieces of furniture. Here are some lighting ideas for living rooms:
Option 1: One central light fixture, two wall sconces and a pair of table lamps.
Ambient lighting : (A) Centralized lighting fixture and (B) wall lights .
Task lighting : (C) Table lamps .
Best for: Those who can install light fixtures and utilize opposing walls.
Task lighting : (C) Table lamps .
Best for: Those who can install light fixtures and utilize opposing 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-throw lights closer to the edges of the room.
If you have high ceilings, you may have room to install a chandelier or pendant light . These will hang downward and you will need several feet of extra height to get underneath them. But they can add beautiful thematic lighting to your room.
If you don't have the height, opt for a semi-flush mount fixture close to the ceiling. They have a more decorative design and aren't as boring or ugly as basic dome lights .
A pair of wall sconces on a prominent wall, such as behind a sofa, can provide extra light when you need it. Seating is usually placed away from the center of the room, so it's helpful to bring extra light close to where you'll be spending time.
Wall sconces can also provide light over your shoulder for reading. You can also place them in front of the sofa, usually behind the television.
Complete the balance of light by arranging a pair of table lamps , either on the sides of the sofa, on side tables, or in opposite corners of the room. The lamp shades will protect your eyes while remaining in your field of vision.
Placing lamps on the same side as the TV gives you the option of lighting that area or turning off the lamps while you watch the screen. Having other lamps nearby can sometimes help reduce glare from the TV.
If you have high ceilings, you may have room to install a chandelier or pendant light . These will hang downward and you will need several feet of extra height to get underneath them. But they can add beautiful thematic lighting to your room.
If you don't have the height, opt for a semi-flush mount fixture close to the ceiling. They have a more decorative design and aren't as boring or ugly as basic dome lights .
A pair of wall sconces on a prominent wall, such as behind a sofa, can provide extra light when you need it. Seating is usually placed away from the center of the room, so it's helpful to bring extra light close to where you'll be spending time.
Wall sconces can also provide light over your shoulder for reading. You can also place them in front of the sofa, usually behind the television.
Complete the balance of light by arranging a pair of table lamps , either on the sides of the sofa, on side tables, or in opposite corners of the room. The lamp shades will protect your eyes while remaining in your field of vision.
Placing lamps on the same side as the TV gives you the option of lighting that area or turning off the lamps while you watch the screen. Having other lamps nearby can sometimes help reduce glare from the TV.
And consider this …
If you put the main light fixture in your living room on a separate switch or circuit, you now have the option of getting 3 different levels of light, including a nice and cozy room using only the wall lights and table lamps .
If you put the main light fixture in your living room on a separate switch or circuit, you now have the option of getting 3 different levels of light, including a nice and cozy room using only the wall lights and table lamps .
Option 2: A pair of pendant lights, a torchiere floor lamp and a table lamp.
Mood lighting : (B) Floor lamp and (C) table lamp .
Task lighting : (A) Luminaires suspended above the seats.
Ideal for: You may be installing light fixtures and also want a secondary and/or portable level of lighting.
Task lighting : (A) Luminaires suspended above the seats.
Ideal for: You may be installing light fixtures and also want a secondary and/or portable level of lighting.
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 more concentrated downward light in a specific area, pendants can be used almost like task lights to highlight certain parts of the room.
To complement the downward-facing light, place a torchiere-style floor lamp in the corner of the room. Floor lamps tend to have a higher wattage or lumens than table lamps and can provide a boost in ambient light.
A torchiere or torchiere-style floor lamp directs light upwards and therefore reflects off the ceiling, complementing pendant lights to increase the overall light level. Some torchieres also feature a reading arm, which can make them useful next to a chair.
Finish the look with a mid-level light from a table lamp . Placed in a corner or next to a major 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 more concentrated downward light in a specific area, pendants can be used almost like task lights to highlight certain parts of the room.
To complement the downward-facing light, place a torchiere-style floor lamp in the corner of the room. Floor lamps tend to have a higher wattage or lumens than table lamps and can provide a boost in ambient light.
A torchiere or torchiere-style floor lamp directs light upwards and therefore reflects off the ceiling, complementing pendant lights to increase the overall light level. Some torchieres also feature a reading arm, which can make them useful next to a chair.
Finish the look with a mid-level light from a table lamp . Placed in a corner or next to a major seating area, it can help you see for specific tasks and also draw attention to a more active part of the room.
Want to enjoy a comfortable evening?
So turn off the pendants and just use the floor lamp and table lamp for a calming experience.
So turn off the pendants and just use the floor lamp and table lamp for a calming experience.
Option 3: A pendant lamp, a pair of floor lamps and a desk lamp.
Ambient lighting : (B) Floor lamps.
Task lighting : (A) Plug-in backpack pendant light and (C) desk lamp.
Best for: You can't install lighting fixtures, but want general lighting and occasional task lighting.
Task lighting : (A) Plug-in backpack pendant light and (C) desk lamp.
Best for: You can't install lighting fixtures, but want general lighting and occasional task lighting.
If you can't install hardwired light fixtures or 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 plug-in swing light fixture has a chain or cord that "swings" or drapes from hooks to the ceiling and 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 another room entirely. Plus, it goes with you if you move.
As a pendant, the swag light fixture can be placed above a prominent 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 swag pendant light has an adjustable vertical position, 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 ceiling lighting for the entire room or to focus on a specific area.
Floor lamps are your next best friend. They tend to have a higher wattage or brighter light. They can direct light up the ceiling, to the sides, down, or in any direction, depending on the design of the lampshade.
Place 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're sitting and are especially out of sight if you're behind them while sitting on the sofa.
Finally, to give you targeted light for those 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 the most time, and with its adjustable arm, you can quickly move it to focus light exactly where you need it.
With 3 lamps and a pendant , each with its own switch, you will have the choice between several lighting levels.
A pendant light or plug-in swing light fixture has a chain or cord that "swings" or drapes from hooks to the ceiling and 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 another room entirely. Plus, it goes with you if you move.
As a pendant, the swag light fixture can be placed above a prominent 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 swag pendant light has an adjustable vertical position, 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 ceiling lighting for the entire room or to focus on a specific area.
Floor lamps are your next best friend. They tend to have a higher wattage or brighter light. They can direct light up the ceiling, to the sides, down, or in any direction, depending on the design of the lampshade.
Place 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're sitting and are especially out of sight if you're behind them while sitting on the sofa.
Finally, to give you targeted light for those 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 the most time, and with its adjustable arm, you can quickly move it to focus light exactly where you need it.
With 3 lamps and a pendant , each with its own switch, you will have the choice between several lighting levels.
Option 4: A ceiling fan with a light kit, a reading lamp and a table lamp.
Mood lighting : (A) Ceiling fan with integrated lighting, and (C) table lamp.
Task lighting : (B) Reading lamp.
Best for: You want an all-in-one installed fixture complete with a table lamp, then a reading lamp for specialized activities.
Task lighting : (B) Reading lamp.
Best for: You want an all-in-one installed fixture complete with 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 circulate heat in winter.
Many ceiling fans come with (or can be equipped with) a light kit, which is a small light fixture that usually hangs below the fan. Some fans also have uplights that add a soft ambient light that bounces off the ceiling, as a more decorative element.
You will be able to operate the fan separately from the lighting fixture. The lighting kit can contain 1 to 4 bulbs. A fan is usually placed in the center of the room to provide general ambient light, or a brighter light if placed above a seat.
To complement the fan , add a reading floor lamp . Reading lamps feature an adjustable arm that extends outward and shines downward. It can be placed next to or behind an armchair or sofa to give you bright light focused in a small area.
Be sure to check out full spectrum reading lamps which are designed to provide natural light that makes reading and other tasks much easier on the eyes, by making colors more accurate and reducing glare.
Complement the lighting with an additional table lamp . Since your reading lamp may serve primarily near your favorite chair, the table lamp can be placed in an opposite or complementary corner to balance the overall light and ensure that you don't have any dark corners in the room.
Let your fan keep you at the perfect temperature while your lamps soothe your mood.
Many ceiling fans come with (or can be equipped with) a light kit, which is a small light fixture that usually hangs below the fan. Some fans also have uplights that add a soft ambient light that bounces off the ceiling, as a more decorative element.
You will be able to operate the fan separately from the lighting fixture. The lighting kit can contain 1 to 4 bulbs. A fan is usually placed in the center of the room to provide general ambient light, or a brighter light if placed above a seat.
To complement the fan , add a reading floor lamp . Reading lamps feature an adjustable arm that extends outward and shines downward. It can be placed next to or behind an armchair or sofa to give you bright light focused in a small area.
Be sure to check out full spectrum reading lamps which are designed to provide natural light that makes reading and other tasks much easier on the eyes, by making colors more accurate and reducing glare.
Complement the lighting with an additional table lamp . Since your reading lamp may serve primarily near your favorite chair, the table lamp can be placed in an opposite or complementary corner to balance the overall light and ensure that you don't have any dark corners in the room.
Let your fan keep you at the perfect 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.
Task Lighting : None - uses general ambiance.
Best for: You may have a few ceiling lights installed and want general mood or atmospheric lighting and don't need a very focused light.
Task Lighting : None - uses general ambiance.
Best for: You may have a few ceiling lights installed and want general mood or atmospheric lighting and don't need a very focused light.
This option includes a living room ceiling light such as a semi-flush mount fixture . They are more decorative and attractive than a typical dome light fixture and can have up to 3 bulbs.
The ceiling light will make a great focal point light, or you could even install two in a longer room. It will leave plenty of headroom in most rooms since it sits fairly close to the ceiling and will provide plenty of general lighting throughout the room.
Add a few wall sconces on one wall to emphasize an important side of the room. This could be behind the sofa or on either side of a focal point like a fireplace.
We then place a pair of table lamps , which sit on the floor or a low surface and shine upwards, on either side of a prominent feature 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 produce interesting shadows.
Ceiling lights project light upward, much of which bounces off the ceiling as ambient light, but much of the light can also hit a wall or vertical surface, helping to break up large expanses of wall or highlight textures.
To add a finishing touch, choose a few decorative accent lamps . These can work in concert with the box lights when the main ceiling lights are off, to provide softer ambient lighting and fill the room with a lower level of brightness.
Task lights tend to be relatively dim and should therefore be used mainly in the evening, as sunlight drowns them out.
Put on some romantic music, turn on the accent lights and you're done.
The ceiling light will make a great focal point light, or you could even install two in a longer room. It will leave plenty of headroom in most rooms since it sits fairly close to the ceiling and will provide plenty of general lighting throughout the room.
Add a few wall sconces on one wall to emphasize an important side of the room. This could be behind the sofa or on either side of a focal point like a fireplace.
We then place a pair of table lamps , which sit on the floor or a low surface and shine upwards, on either side of a prominent feature 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 produce interesting shadows.
Ceiling lights project light upward, much of which bounces off the ceiling as ambient light, but much of the light can also hit a wall or vertical surface, helping to break up large expanses of wall or highlight textures.
To add a finishing touch, choose a few decorative accent lamps . These can work in concert with the box lights when the main ceiling lights are off, to provide softer ambient lighting and fill the room with a lower level of brightness.
Task lights tend to be relatively dim and should therefore be used mainly in the evening, as sunlight drowns them out.
Put on some romantic music, turn on the accent lights and you're done.
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