Lighting plays a vital role in living spaces, not only illuminating areas but also influencing the mood of the room and our experience. To highlight your home's best features and create a greater sense of space, we've shared some beautiful and functional living room lighting ideas that suit a variety of activities by cleverly layering different types of lighting.
01. Add lighting layer
The key to a successful lighting design is to build in layers, distributing light from the ceiling down to different levels of the room. By using recessed ceiling lights or a sophisticated living room pendant light as a base, paired with decorative wall sconces and some floor or table lamps, you can adjust the lighting levels to suit the desired mood or event.
02. Create ambient lighting
Start with ambient lighting to lay the foundation for your living room lighting scheme. This type of lighting provides overall illumination, allowing you to see the activities going on and walk safely. Ambient lighting is typically in the form of ceiling lights or recessed spotlights, but fixed wall sconces and natural light can also provide ambient lighting. Install a dimmer to adjust brightness as needed while saving energy.
03. Brighten up small spaces
For dark corners with less natural light, lighting needs to be more strategic. By using small downlights and dimmer switches, you can bring light to small corners, creating a feeling of sunshine even on gloomy days. Wall sconces are the best choice in tight spaces because they provide effective lighting without taking up valuable floor space.
04. Choose a practical floor lamp
Comfortable living spaces are ideal examples of task lighting. The practical floor lamp provides you with the ideal light source to suit your needs, whether for reading, playing games or other tasks. Choose a floor lamp with adjustable light so you can change the height or angle as needed.
05. Choose a decorative table lamp
Table lamps are not only a form of task lighting but can also be decorative. The attractively shaped table lamp becomes the design highlight of the room even when closed. Distribute table lamps evenly around the room and turn them on at night to create a relaxing atmosphere.
06. Turn lights into wall decorations
To provide functional lighting on your sofa or seating area without sacrificing aesthetics, use decorative wall sconces to turn the lighting into a work of art. Gold candlesticks make golden lights part of the decor by being framed by decorative wall panels like a feature art print.
07. Highlight your favorite decorations
Use lighting to guide the eye and highlight your favorite pieces of art. Good lighting can bring out the full potential of artwork and make it look gallery-worthy. Lighting can also be used to highlight sculptures and books in open shelving units.
08. Install personalized ceiling lights
Have some fun and choose eye-catching modern ceiling lights. Living room chandeliers and large light clusters are a great way to make the most of high ceilings, drawing the eye through decorative features. Place the ceiling light in the center of the room and use it to guide the layout of the space and create a central focal point.
09. Embrace the versatility of wall sconces
Wall sconces are an easy way to create ambience and add décor to your living room. They can draw attention to corners that might otherwise be overlooked, while bringing focus and definition to a space. Place wall sconces at eye level to avoid glare from exposed bulbs, and choose hues to match the style of the room for a cohesive look