We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
Light up your living room, and transform your space with the best lighting ideas and expert tips. Indoor Stadium Lighting
The living room is the multi-functional hub of the home. Whether we use it for entertaining, working or relaxing, our living room lighting should be versatile and cater to all our needs. The best lighting should not only illuminate our room but also lift our mood, promote productivity, and set the right ambience – especially if you have low levels of natural light.
Living room lighting needs to be 'layered' with three strategically placed types of lighting. The first is ambient lighting, the focal point that provides the room's overall illumination. This is often overhead ceiling lighting like a pendant or spotlights. Task lighting is more directional for specific areas in the room such as work from home zones, and these can be either reading or floor lamps. Accent lighting is used to bring attention to a certain feature such as wall art, a reading nook, or decorative accessories on a shelf.
'Play with layers – check that your walls are well lit, this will make the room feel brighter,' says Kate Wilkins and Sam Neuman of Home Lighting Ideas. 'Then create a focus point with tables or pictures, add evening lamps and you will have your key layers.'
This trinity of layered lighting is important for creating the perfect balance. From pendant and wall lights to LED, there are so many types of lighting to choose from. But there are some key things to consider before deciding on your living room lighting. Firstly, where do you want the lights to be positioned in the room and for what particular task? Think about the scale and size of the room. Large statement floor lamps can look overwhelming in small living rooms, so would benefit from wall-mounted lamps to free up space and offer more focused light.
• Do you want a warm soft glow or a cool white light for your space? Warm lighting is ideal for when you want to relax and unwind, while a cool white light is energising and ideal for a more open-plan space.
• Do you prefer a dimmer switch or a standard flick switch? Dimmer switches are usually better for setting the right tone.
• And finally, what is your budget? Lighting can be pretty costly so it's worth shopping around for what you need.
These living room lighting ideas will help you choose the right one to suit your requirements.
Ceiling lights come in various types, shapes and sizes. The most popular are pendant lights which hang from the ceiling, creating striking focal points. These are often height adjustable to suit any sized room. 'Ceiling lights that go beyond the humble light shade can make a real style statement and draw the eye up,' says Ally Dowsing-Reynolds, co-owner at Dowsing & Reynolds. 'Ceiling lights don't have to be stark and bright. Add a dimmer and you can have it bright and light during the day and relaxing and cosy at night.'
Chandeliers and cluster lights can make bold statement pieces, while flush lights are ideal for living rooms with lower ceilings. Before you buy, it's important to take the height of your ceiling into consideration. You don't want a larger ceiling light to overpower a compact space, while a small fixture won't have much ambient impact in a large room.
'Higher ceilings give you room for stunning statement makers,' adds Ben Marshall, Creative Director at Hudson Valley Group. 'Consider putting lighting first in spaces with higher ceilings, going big on a large chandelier, maybe something that goes in all directions like Sputnik and make other design decisions for the space complementary to this piece.'
Wall lighting or wall sconces are great for illuminating specific areas in the room. 'Hard wired' lights are installed into the wall and require professional wiring into your mains, while the 'plug and switch' options plug directly into the mains.
'Wall lamps offer an opportunity to create a zoned atmosphere,' shares Peter Legg, New Products Development Manager at där lighting. 'Many have individual switches that allow more control of the light in the space, but give thought to the projection – the distance the light protrudes from the wall.'
The main types of wall lighting include uplights that shine accent lighting up the wall, while downlights beam light towards the ground, ideal for illuminating artwork. Adjustable swing arm lights are great for directional light and for those dark reading corners. 'Illuminating a treasured artwork, alcove or collection of ceramic objects creates focus and contrast in a room,' explain Kate Wilkins and Sam Neuman. 'Shining a beam of light on a precious piece can bring it back to life, particularly at night.'
Other things to consider include the placement and spacing of your wall lighting. Wall sconces are usually used as a pair or placed either side of a feature like a fireplace. It's also recommended not to install wall lighting at eye level with an exposed light bulb, and to hang them at approximately 5.5 to 6 feet off the ground.
LED spotlights and fixtures are becoming more popular, with many contemporary styles to choose from.
'LED lights are 80 per cent more efficient than traditional light bulbs with better light distribution, lasting six times longer than other bulbs,' says Kate Wilkins and Sam Neuman. 'Choose warmer halogen or incandescent LED bulbs rather than the cold fluorescent versions on a 5 amp dimming circuit for greater control and flexibility.'
The kelvin numbers offered for LED lights are usually 2700K and 3000K, and commonly used in either warm white or cool light. It's useful to consider the type of mood lighting you want to achieve for your living room, as they can come in a wide range of colour temperatures.
LED lighting and strip lights are also a great way to illuminate display cabinets and show off your bookshelves. In addition, positioning LED spotlight lamps towards walls or the ceiling is a great way to get rid of unwanted shadows. 'LEDs are also dimmable,' adds Ally Dowsing-Reynolds, 'meaning you can show off stylish filament bulbs and control their brightness with the turn of a switch.' It’s useful to consider what specific places can benefit from LED lighting such as alcoves or around your entertainment/TV space.
If you have a favourite reading spot, floor lamps offer both ambient and task lighting. As well as illuminating dark corners, they are of great use beside a sofa to set the mood for relaxation – even more so if they have a dimmer switch.
'Floor lamps can be used anywhere and are particularly favourable when looking to introduce low light into a room where table space is limited,' explains Peter Legg. 'A popular position is next to an armchair where they can be easily switched on.'
Two or more floor lamps in a single space is common, and mixing styles won't look jarring.
From metal to wooden, a striking floor lamp can make the perfect statement piece in your living room. Just ensure the size of your lamp is in proportion to your room space.
Much like floor lamps, living room table lamps can offer ambient light to help you wind down of an evening, or task lighting to illuminate a corner where you might read or work.
As table lamps tend to be placed close to where you sit – on a side table, WFH space, or sideboard – it's important to consider the materials you choose. Most experts would recommend a lamp with a fabric shade in order to disperse harsh lighting, and create a warm glow. Remember that a darker shade will absorb some light, whilst white and lighter colours will bounce it around the room.
Even if you're not a fan of lampshades, and lean more towards modern orb lights or classic bankers lamps for instance, choosing the right material is key. 'Bone china gives a gentle, ambient glow, prismatic glass exaggerates and intensifies light, while aluminium or other metals bring a more industrial flavour and greater visual impact,' says Peter Bowles, founder and managing director at Original BTC.
Follow House Beautiful on TikTok and Instagram.
The best free interior design tools
Small space bedroom ideas for everyone
Kitchen larder & pantry inspiration for your home
How to measure for curtains
8 beautiful colour ideas for a bedroom
The order in which you should renovate a home
6 ways to make a rented property feel like home
Gardens in high demand in London's flat market
Property spotlight on Liverpool: where to buy
How to paint a room like a pro
How to decorate a period living room
45 beautiful bedrooms with great ideas to steal
House Beautiful, Part of the Hearst UK Fashion & Beauty Network
We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
LED Linear Strip Light and Tri-proof Light ©2024 Hearst UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 30 Panton Street, Leicester Square, London, SW1Y 4AJ. Registered in England. All Rights Reserved.