The living room is where families and individuals spend most of their time. Whether you are watching TV, spending time with friends, or curling up with a book and a cup of tea, it is essential to have a well-lit room so you can enjoy this space all day and all night. We all have our individual sense of style and flair which should not be limited to our furniture. There is a reason why lighting is one of the key principles of interior design, it creates ambience, focus and is simply practical. No one wants to sit in the dark!
Whether you own your home or are renting, these 40 helpful lighting tips and ideas will help make your living room beautiful and bright.
1. Plan Ahead
When we move into a new space or decide to make some updates, lighting probably falls into the “I’ll deal with it later” category. It may seem like the focus should be on what furniture to buy, but without decent lighting, that expensive table you bought looks drab or goes unnoticed. Take some time to plan the various lights you need to bring life into your living room and then you can go furniture shopping.
2. High and Low
More often than not, the only light in a living room comes from the ceiling. While downlighting has its purpose, adding light sources at different levels of the room will help to create an inviting space. And for anyone renting, it is also a great way to make a room feel bigger. Wall sconces, floor lamps, table lamps, or a combination of all three add depth and personality to your living room.
3. Have a Budget
And stick to it! Definitely the most annoying but also probably the most important part of updating any interior design is knowing how much money you are willing to spend. Prioritising is a big part of this as well. Know which parts of your lighting design you are willing to splurge on and (window) shop for these first. Then with the remainder of your budget, you can find the items that aren’t as high up on your list. Remember: bulbs are often sold separately.
4. From Above
Overhead lighting is always a good starting point, as all living rooms should come with at least one ceiling light. These might hang from the ceiling, like a chandelier or be in-built, such as a recessed light. Regardless, this is the main source of light for the living room and should illuminate the whole space. If you are lucky enough to have a large room, one ceiling fixture may not be enough. Consider installing additional overheads to evenly distribute light through the room.
5. Make a Statement
Be bold! Nowadays, there are so many styles and structures of lighting fixtures to choose from… so why not have some fun? Installing a statement pendant light or chandelier, like this contemporary gold fixture, creates a focal point and draws the eyes upward. Shop around, and you will find that a light can easily double as a work of art for your living room.
6. Measure First
Hopefully, this one goes without saying… but don’t purchase new lights before measuring the space of the room or table that the lights will go on. There is nothing worse than the trip of shame back to the store to return your item because it was simply too big or too small.
7. Play With Ambience
Probably something we have all overlooked is the idea of installing a dimmer switch for our living room lights. It is time to think again! Not only will you have the options of changing the brightness of your room to suit your needs, but it is also a way to save on energy use. The living room has many purposes, so this is a fantastic way to manipulate the brightness (or dimness) of the room.
8. Get the Job Done
While ceiling lights brighten the room as a whole, any activities like studying or reading require a closer and brighter source of light to avoid straining our eyes. Time to bring out some floor or table lamps, which is also a great time to show your personality. Be strategic with the placement of these, just below eye level is best. A nice overarching floor or table lamp beside your cosiest armchair will make the perfect reading nook.
9. Hot and Cold
Most people are aware that there are two colour temperatures of light bulbs: “cool”, which gives off a white-blue tint, and “warm”, which is yellow-orange. The different tones of these bulbs can make a dramatic impact on how everything looks in your room, even the paint on your walls. In your living room, it is actually vital to have a bit of both. Cool lighting imitates daytime, which is an excellent option for your task lighting. However, if your ceiling lights have a cool bulb, you may want to consider using warm bulbs in your accent lighting to make the room feel more inviting.
10. Let the Light In
While adding light fixtures brings personality and warmth into your living room, don’t underestimate the powers of natural light. If you can, make the most of the sunshine during the daytime hours by opening the curtains/blinds/shutters. (And then switch to electrical at night.) Added bonus of saving money on electricity bills.
11. Perfect Pairs
Even if you aren’t a neat freak, there is something very satisfying about this set of table lights. A pair of lamps placed at opposite ends of the couch or cabinet will create balance and symmetry in your living room. You could even go one step further and have evenly spaced pendant lights drop from the ceiling, or strategically positioned wall sconces at either end of a wall. It’s going to look sharp, not to mention will give your living room twice as much light.
12. Call the Professionals
Plugging your new table or floor lamp into the powerpoint is pretty straight forward, so go ahead on your own. But if you are planning on installing new ceiling lights or wall sconces, it is definitely time to call the electrician. They have been trained and have the know-how to not to blow up your house.
13. Mix and Match
Styles are constantly evolving and changing, and it can be hard to keep up. Thankfully you no longer have to! A mix of old and new lights keep the living room looking fresh while maintaining a homey feel. Play around with combining vintage lamps or chandeliers with modern accent lighting, and find a balance that works for you.
14. Vintage Chandelier
If you’re dreaming of a beautifully designed living room that has timeless elegance (and I wouldn’t blame you if you are), here is your answer. Crystal chandeliers have actually existed since the 17th century, and they are still not going out of fashion any time soon. Installing a beautiful light like this one in your living space instantly adds a touch of luxury to an otherwise simple room.
15. Use of Space
A quick reminder that pendant lights and chandeliers are terrific. However, always ALWAYS make sure your ceilings are high enough, so there is actually room to walk underneath. We don’t want any bruises! If you are in love with a certain light that hangs too low, it is possible to shorten the cord of your light or have an electrician make the adjustment for you
16. Magic Mirrors
Using mirrors as a way to make a room feel bigger is one of the oldest tricks in the book. A floor mirror or hung mirror positioned on a wall opposite the living room window will reflect natural sunlight through the room, making the space bigger but also brighter. Renters rejoice! This trick can be achieved without drilling into the walls… simply lean a floor mirror against that wall, and your work here is done.
17. Black on Black
Black is a classic colour choice when it comes to lighting fixtures for a reason. Pairing black lights against the traditional white walls most living rooms have, you can create some monochrome magic. Combining different shapes of lights, all with black metal hardware will keep your room looking sleek but with some added fun. In this example, the lights even match the coffee table legs.
18. Marie Kondo It
Does it bring you joy? If there is a light fixture or lamp in your living room that you really can’t stand looking at, it is time to go! Also use this principle when shopping for new lights. Sometimes you have an image in mind of what we want, but when you go looking, either it doesn’t exist or is outside of your budget. Avoid making sacrifices… if you don’t love it in the store, you probably won’t love it in your home. Be patient and keep your eyes out for the perfect piece.
19. Where’s The Power?
Have you ever moved into a place and discovered the powerpoints aren’t where you’d expect or worse still aren’t even there? Without access to power, it’s going to be a real struggle to achieve your lighting goals. Your electrician will be able to install additional power points for you or move the ones that are there from their awkward hiding spot. Alternatively, you can use extension cords as a quick fix to hook up your floor lamps.
20. Exhibit A
Whether you’re an avid art collector or wanting to display your lego figurines, there’s not much point if they go unnoticed. Adding a light source, like track lights or wall lights, is a great way to feature whatever it is that matters to you. This example uses both wall sconces as a frame for the artwork and a top light to highlight the painting. IMPORTANT: Stay away from harmful fluorescent lighting, as these will damage artworks. LED bulbs are the best way to go!
21. Brilliant Brass
Brass has become one of the most popular lighting finishes in the past few years, and if you haven’t already jumped on board, it might be your time. There are also a few different options to choose from within the term “brass”, from bright gold to a darker antique finish. What’s particularly great about a brass finish is you can match your lighting to the hardware on your living room furniture, and instantly everything in the room becomes friends.
22. A Modern Take
If you’re not the crystal chandelier type but still want to bring that element of sophistication into your living room, look no further than the modern chandelier. Not as loud as the more vintage styles, modern chandeliers allow the furniture and decor of your room to be the hero. This monochrome chandelier makes use of the high ceilings in this room and adds some contrast to the neutral colour palette, without drawing focus. With sleek lines and interesting shapes, there are nearly unlimited options for you to choose from to add some structure to your space.
23. Mr Edison
If you are a lover of history, then why not use your lighting design as a reminder of where the first electric light actually came from. Dating back to the industrial revolution, Thomas Edison developed a long-lasting light bulb, which today allows us to have light 24/7. Incorporating industrial styled lighting into your living space is impressive with its simplicity and the rustic feel it brings. You will also feel good about helping the environment, as lighting fixtures in this style are often made of repurposed materials.
24. Add Some Colour
These days the sky’s the limit when it comes to choosing the colour for your lights. Your lamp base could be red, blue, green, pink, whatever you want. Even lighting fixtures are branching into the world of colour. My advice is simply to keep the colour choice within the colours of your space. Match it to the colour of the cushions on your couch, or the artwork in your living room. This will create harmony and make sure your lights don’t feel out of place.
25. Lux Living
Art Deco is a style that screams luxury and wealth, but it is not one for the faint-hearted! That being said… opting for art deco lighting, like a dramatic chandelier, can add some of the decadence of this style to a contemporary living room. If you are a lover of this style, then it is time to go all out, like this wonderfully rich black and gold living room. Don’t be afraid to mix lighting shapes or even mix metals.
26. Put Baby in the Corner
To make sure your whole living room feels polished, brighten up a dull corner with a large standing lamp. Whether this is beside an armchair and giving you the cosiest of places to sit with your favourite book, or as a stand-alone statement accent piece, it will complete the feel of the room. Try to match the material or finish to the surrounding decor, and it will tie everything together.
27. 2-in-1
Often when we think of lighting styles, it is with one direction of light only – downwards. But there are actually many options available for you to have up/down lighting within the one fixture. If you have wall lights or are thinking of adding some, up/down lights are a smart option for highlighting the architectural features of your room. Many floor lamps also have up and down lighting attachments, which is a fantastic way to combine task and ambient lighting in one. Giving you the warmth and focused lights you need to enjoy a good book.
28. Sky High
If you are committing to a remodel of your living room, you may not have considered installing a skylight (or 3 in this example) but maybe you should… Natural lighting has many benefits to your health and wellbeing: obviously as a source of Vitamin D but also reducing stress and anxiety, and even blood pressure. With a beautiful naturally-lit room, prepare to have your friends and family come around more often.
29. Eco-Friendly
While they can cost a little more at first, LED (light-emitting diodes) bulbs are really the only ones you should have in your home. LED lights contain no toxic elements, unlike fluorescent bulbs which contain noxious chemicals, such as mercury! That on its own should be enough to scare you away… LED converts 95% of electricity into light with only 5% emitted as heat, which saves you on electricity usage. They also have a much longer lifespan, so you won’t have to worry about always buying replacements.
30. Candles Count
Candles are the original lighting fixture. Before we had electricity, candelabras hung from the ceiling or were placed to give a room light. These days we have more effective lighting solutions, so candles have landed in the decor category. But lighting those candles can be the perfect way of adding warmth or a touch of romance to your living room. Not to mention with so many scented candles available to purchase, you can create a very calming space.
31. Keep Cool
The day the ceiling fan light was created was a happy day for anyone living in a hot city. But there’s even better news… it no longer needs to look daggy. Airflow is vital for creating a comfortable space for you to spend time in, but often ceiling fans are simply a fan and block out some of your light. Switching to a fanlight gives you the best of both worlds, and can also become a feature of the room.
32. Healing Powers
Himalayan Salt Lamps probably seem a little hippie, but there is actually some science behind these mood-boosting lights. The chunks of salt produce negative ions, while your TV and phone screen are releasing positive ions. To keep it simple negative cancels positive. Balancing these artificial frequencies can boost the immune system, reduce levels of stress and fatigue AND improve your sleep… Sounds pretty good, right? Not to mention, they can be used as a piece of decor.
33. Safe and Sound
With your fabulous new lamps comes the not-so-fabulous power cord dilemma. Making sure you keep these cords neat or covered is essential not only for the overall look of your room but to ensure there are no tripping hazards. Thankfully several solutions exist to keep your cords safely tucked away, from cover strips to storage boxes, and it will cost you next to nothing.
34. Neon Lights
Not just for bars and restaurants… Bring the party into your living room with a vibrant neon light. Whether it’s a slogan or a lit-up palm leaf, neon lighting is going to make a statement in your space.
35. Charging Station
We are definitely all guilty of double-screening: watching the TV while being on our phone/tablet/laptop. Around 80% of people do this every night! (I know I do…) A great new development is the lamp base that doubles as a phone charger, so you won’t have to leave the comfort of your couch to plug in your phone.
36. All Tied Up
Probably the most surprising new style of lights that’s been popping up more and more uses rope. Think pendant lights with a rope cord or a thick rope as the base of a lamp. Intrigued…? If your style is Hampton’s beach vibes, or even a more contemporary design, adding rope features can work perfectly. Plus it is sure to make an interesting talking point.
37. Thrift Shopping
Remember that annoying budget… Take a moment to rethink how you are shopping for your lights. Not everything needs to be brand spanking new! Consider taking a trip to your local second-hand stores or even looking on Facebook Marketplace. The price tags are always so much nicer, and it’s a way to find something unique. Just be certain to check that the electrical cords are fully covered and that the power actually works before handing over your cash.
38. Within the Perimeters
Adding a lamp to a side table or cabinet in your living room is both practical and an opportunity to add your personal flair. But be careful of size, so the light doesn’t outdo your furniture. Make sure the lampshade doesn’t spill over the perimeters of your table, like this perfectly proportional example.
39. Devil is in the Detail
Once you’ve made the changes to your lighting, remember the final touches before inviting your friends and family to see your new space. Polish any lighting fixtures to make sure they really shine. Check that your lampshades are sitting straight and try to hide the pesky seam. Right before your guests arrive, light some candles and you are good to go!
40. Lights Out
Many of us spend the entire evening, right up until bedtime, in our living rooms. If you are one of these people, it is crucial to switch off any blue lighting 1-2 hours before going to bed. Blue (cool) light tricks your brain into thinking it’s daytime and makes it much harder to fall asleep. Turning off the ceiling light and keeping just a yellow-toned lamp on will help your brain register that it is nighttime and start to relax.
If you are getting ready to move/renovate or even if you’re still at the inspiration stage, remember most importantly your home should feel like you! And if your project requires an electrician, LitePages is the site you need to help match you with a professional in your area.
