Your living room is the greatest multipurpose room in the house. A place to get together with friends and family on holidays and special occasions, an area where the kids do homework on a weeknight, a place to snuggle in to read a good book on a lazy Sunday morning, and last but not least a place to simply watch tv, eat snacks and watch TV.
With all of these different activities, the lighting in a room with so many activities needs to be adequate in every case. The space may be divided in to sections, which means a reading lamp may be needed for that cozy reading nook, accent lights can be used for a shelf highlighting those family photos and feature a beautiful chandelier for your main gathering area. Confused yet? No problem. The following guide will show you how to light up a living room you will absolutely love.
Light up that Living Room in a Few Easy Steps
Step 1: Figure out your lighting goals.
Consider several important factors before you get too far into the design process:
1. Do I want to go luxury or a more casual design?
2. Do you want to consider energy efficient lighting?
3. How much square footage is in my living room?
4. Exactly what will the purpose(s) of your living room be used?
5. How natural light enters your living room during the day?
6. Is there artwork, sculptures or architecture you would like to showcase?
7. What type of style or design is the rest of my home?
Step 2: Where to place the Lighting.
Where?
To get the greatest benefit from your lighting, you’ll want to install the proper light fixtures overhead. And positioning your wall sconces and floor lamps above eye level, so they are not in the way. This way you will be able to get around them easily.
What?
Most of your lighting will come from your ceiling lights, likely chandeliers and pendant lights. Although, floor lamps and wall sconces can also provide good ambient light in a larger living room.
Why?
General lighting fixtures will provide most of the overall illumination for your living room. You definitely need general light for the room, andthat is the lighting fixtures that mostly control the mood of the room. Many fixtures even come with dimmer switches, that way you can easily adjust the level of lighting you desire for the mood of the room.
Step 3: Task-lighting needs?
Why?
Once you decide all the various ways you ‘ll use your living room, you can determine the specific areas that will need any task lighting. Whether you’re writing something, reading something, or thumbing through magazines, task lighting will provide you with the proper direct lighting source that you’ll need to enjoy that moment.
Where?
Beware of the glare! This is one of the most important reasons to correctly pplace your task lighting. You should be sure no light shines directly onto the screen of your TV. You’ll also need to put your task lighting where you’ll need it the most: such as next to a comfy sofa or set on a desk in the corner of the room. Determine all the areas in your living room you’ll be performing a “task” that needs light within your living room.
What?
The best lighting fixtures for task lighting will cast light directly downward. These are your desk lamps, floor lamps and pendant lights. You’ll want to make sure your task lighting choices are adjustable or, at least, portable. You should also avoid any floor lamp or table lamp without a shade because of the glare.
Step 4: Add as much accent lighting, as needed.
Where?
Wherever there are darker areas or somewhat unique features that you want to highlight, that provides good opportunities to implement accent lighting.
Why?
General lighting will not do it all. Although it supplies most of the light for your living room, then you can supplement it with smaller light fixtures. That’s when you go with accent lighting.
Accent lighting is a great way to create a focus to any point in the room. Whether a family heirloom on display, or a textured brick wall, use accent light fixtures that will high light what you love.
What?
There are several lighting fixtures you can implement as accent lighting. Although just one type of accent light fixture will likely get the job done, but you just may need an accent lighting combination. Popular choices include:
- Track lighting
- Wall sconce
- Recessed lights
- Table lamps
- Hidden fixtures
For Your Living Room ~ Lighting Design Inspiration
Lighting is the most impactful design decision you can make when deciding how to light up a living room. You have many lighting options when it comes to interior design style – from traditional elegant light fixtures, contemporary, modern, rustic and industrial to art deco. To help you narrow it all down, we’ve put together a great collection of 10 ceiling lights that are sure to inspire the designer in you.
Lezzeno 3 Light Chandelier by Uttermost - 15 W x 33 H
$544.35Elegant! Features Draped Jewelry Chain In A Dark Oil Rubbed Bronze Finish With Gold Highlights.
Houses 3) 60 Watt Bulbs.Add to cart
Lezzeno 3 Light Chandelier by Uttermost - 15 W x 33 H
We broken it down by style:
Traditional
Affinito Crystal Chandelier
Glam? This Gorgeous Empire Style Crystal Chandelier Is Mounted On A Gilded Antiqued Hand-Wrought Iron Frame and it’s Crafted & made in Italy. This chandelier gives you the glamour you desire.
Industrial
Marlow 12 Light Circle Chandelier by Uttermost
A Beautiful Industrial Rustic Style Metal Chandelier Featuring a Combination Of Antiqued Dark Bronze & Bronze Weathered Finishes & Leather Straps. A versatile design, with its roots set in an industrial fixture. A rustic finish that appears like it could be pulled directly from the factory floor. Its exposed bulbs are positioned to scatter light in all directions and throughout your living room.
Marlow 12 Light Circle Chandelier by Uttermost - 40 W x 35 H
ELK LIGHTING SETS THE STANDARD
Enhancing lives with glamorous and exquisite lighting, chandeliers, and wall sconces in styles and designs that satisfy any taste. Whether your taste is Old World, Traditional, Contemporary, or somewhere in between, Elk is synomous with good taste and style, unmatched innovation, and designs featuring decorative excellence along with maximum durability and dependability.
Vicentina 6 Light Sphere Pendant by Uttermost - 22 W x 29 H
A chandelier is the main focal point of any room especially a formal living room. Chandeliers can also raise the value of your home. Choosing one of these gorgeous light fixtures should be carefully thought out. Chandeliers come in many beautiful styles and materials.
Mid-Century Modern
Yardley 6 Light Bronze Chandelier by ELK Lighting
WOW FACTOR! Features An Inspired Turn Of The Century Cage Design Chandelier Featuring Oil Rubbed Bronze. Shown Here with Optional Vintage Style Edison Bulbs
Yardley 6 Light Bronze Chandelier by Elk Lighting - 23 W x 26 H
Orbit Brass Pendant by Wildwood Lamps
Eye Catching & Ultra Modern! This Six Light Orbit Pendant Has A Beautiful Antiqued Brass Finish.
The Orbit Brass Pendant is well suited for higher vaulted ceilings. It has a six light design that will fill your headspace, and will provide a bright illumination that will not disappoint you. And, the mixture of high quality materials and head turning geometric intrigue will make this seem like a gorgeous sculpture in showcased in your mid-century modern home.
Orbit Brass Pendant by Wildwood Lamps - 22 W x 24 H
$1,837.70Eye Catching! Orbit Pendant With A Beautiful Antiqued Brass Finish.
Six Lights - Houses 6) 40 Watt Candelabra Bulbs.Add to cart
Orbit Brass Pendant by Wildwood Lamps - 22 W x 24 H
Contemporary / Modern
Rondure 1 Light Sphere Pendant Lamp
Contemporary Style! This Beautiful Pendant Features An Oil Rubbed Dark Bronze Finish on the Outer Sphere with a French Gold Finish on the Inner Sphere, Finished off with Beautiful Antiqued Brass Hardware.
Rondure 1 Light Sphere Pendant Lamp by Uttermost - 23 W x 61 H
$443.63Contemporary! Pendant Features A Dark, Oil Rubbed Bronze Finish on Outer Sphere and French Gold Finish on Inner Sphere,
Antiqued Brass Hardware. Houses 1) 100 Watt Bulb.Read more
Rondure 1 Light Sphere Pendant Lamp by Uttermost - 23 W x 61 H
Pontoise 3 Light Drum Pendant by Uttermost
Is it Modern? Rustic? Is it Industrial? Is it Contemporary? A metal pendant with an aged screen shade featuring intentional indentations with an interesting uneven texture. With an antiqued ivory finish & Dark Brown Undertones. This caged pendant beauty is all of the above. And, it goes well with most other contemporary light fixtures, which you might need to consider in order to even out your living room lighting design. Contemporary but oh so cool, it throws soft light that creates a cozy, warm glow.
Riccio Chandelier
Stunningly gorgeous! This Riccio Venetian Glass Chandelier, Features A Starburst Design With Beautiful Venetian Glass & Chrome Details. Crafted in Italy, this exquisite peice of art features 121 Individual Pieces of Clear & Black Venetian Glass.
If you’re fortunate enough to posess a large enough living room with high or vaulted ceilings and , then you can also be lucky enough to enjoy this glorious Venetian Glass Chandelier, your parties and family gatherings will be an amazing event, every time!
Always Live in a Style filled Well-Lit Room
Your home is special and your living room just may be the most special part, and it serves many functions and always has a way of bringing people together. Make certain you get the most out of it, so light it up with a design it deserves. Follow our tips and you’ll end up with that gorgeous space that you will happily live in and thoroughly enjoy.
