Your living room is usually the largest room in your home. It is a strategic place where a lot of things happen during the day and in the evening. And making sure your living room is properly and beautifully lit for family gatherings, entertaining, relaxing, reading or watching TV – and all the other activities that take place in that central room, is more complicated than pressing the on/off button of any light!
A well-lit living room should ideally have light fixtures that illuminate its four corners, to create balance and a pleasant atmosphere. You have to rely on all types of lighting whether accent, mood or spot to illuminate the room according to what you are doing there.
Choose your lights for the living room according to your activity
While the concept of living room seems fairly obvious, its actual use varies from person to person. And so, in choosing your lighting fixtures, it is crucial to establish how your living room is used? What do you usually do there? The answer to this question will help you have the right approach.
If you use your living room to watch TV
If to disconnect or relax, your pleasure is to watch television, consider a very specific lighting. Choose a dimmable ceiling light. Make sure other light sources stay out of your line of sight. You can place a lamp behind your armchair which may be useful when using the remote control – but which will probably be extinguished once the television is switched on.
If you use your living room to read
If you prefer to immerse yourself in a good book or magazine, consider general ambient lighting. Since you don’t have to worry about TV glare, your possibilities are much wider. So you can add floor lamps, sconces, etc. to the main lighting.
Of course, you need more localized lighting, which is essential for reading.
If you use your living room to relax and entertain
It cannot be overstated that general lighting is the essential element of your “lightscape”. For gatherings with family or friends, you have all the options available, including floor or table lamps, wall lights and ceiling lights. For an extra design element, add a chandelier as a centerpiece, especially if it provides warm lighting.
What to choose as a light for your living room?
An oversized arched floor lamp
For a warm, modern living room, choose an oversized arched floor lamp with a slender silhouette that provides ample but diffused ambient light. Even off, it is just as beautiful! Whether you choose a very luxurious design classic or a more affordable Scandinavian-style floor lamp with tripod, do not just treat it as a source of lighting but also as a major decorative element.
An ultra-design wall lamp
Why not use the space above your sofa to install a dramatic wall lamp? This will surely trigger questions from your friends and those around you. And it instantly gives a certain ambiance to your living room. This type of luminaire will work particularly well in a minimalist universe.
A mix of ancient and modern
An old chandelier or vintage sconces can warm up a contemporary living room. Where you might expect classic, opt for contemporary. For example, on either side of your fireplace mantel, you could consider installing two beautiful timeless pieces. But rather than formal sconces, why not choose warm contemporary lighting?
transparent lights
If your living room has extremely large windows, consider choosing fixtures that don’t interfere with natural light, such as a classic crystal chandelier. For an airy, clean look, try lamps with clear glass or plastic shapes or some lamps that come in several shades of tinted clear glass.
colored light
If your living room is in very particular tones, choose wall lights of the same color. For example, if your living room is in orange tones, place lampshades in the same color which will provide a soft, flattering light and add depth to your wall.
A geometric ceiling lamp
There are avant-garde LED ceiling lights, which you can hang in the middle of your living room, in the center of your ceiling. You can then balance this geometric ceiling lamp with floor lamps to distribute evenly throughout your room to create a warm lighting ambiance, which will have the effect of making the room welcoming.
Mismatched light fixtures
When choosing lights for either side of a sofa, you don’t have to limit yourself to matching bedside lamps. Keep a common character: for example the same size and the same material for the finishes but opt for distinct lighting. The lights are not twins, yet the balance between the two is respected.
A Moroccan lantern
You don’t need a Moroccan style interior to incorporate a metal Moroccan lantern into your living room. Hang one in the center of your ceiling to add a touch of whimsy to your decor and cast magical shadows when lit.
Candles
Candles or candlesticks are sources of light par excellence, those that will bring the welcoming final touch to your living room. Mix and match candle holders in various styles and materials to add warmth to your living room, especially if it’s contemporary in style.