Lighting Your Living Room

When you think about your own home, which room do you consider to be the most important? If you enjoy cooking, the kitchen will be your go-to room. If spa-like relaxation is your daily indulgence, then the master bath is likely your sanctuary. However, there is a room in your home that serves multiple purposes and has been the site of many family memories: the living room. How can you best light your living room to be a versatile space in your home?

Layered Light

Modern living room a chandelier and table lampWhen you’re designing a new home, most lighting experts will stress the importance of layering light. There are three basic types of lighting: ambient, accent and task. A balance of all three will provide sufficient illumination while eliminating shadows. How can you accomplish this in your living room?

General Illumination

The living room, also referred to as the family room, is used by many families for entertainment, relaxation and work. Whether you play board games with guests, curl up on the couch with a book or work on your laptop in the living room, you need light! Start with the main source of ambient light; this could be a chandelier, pendant or recessed cans.

  • Chandeliers: A chandelier is a sophisticated focal point; there are many traditional, modern and rustic styles to choose from! If you want to make a statement, choose a fixture that is proportional to the size of the living room, yet shows off your unique design sense.
  • Pendant Lights: Pendant lights come in various sizes, from teardrop to over-sized. It is your choice to have multiple small or one large pendant as your source of ambient light. Pendants often work well as decorative focal points in rooms with high ceilings.
  • Recessed Lights: Many homeowners consider recessed lighting to be outdated. However, when used correctly, recessed cans are a great source of general illumination. They tend to reflect the most light against white, glossy ceilings.

Table and Floor Lamps

One of the best features of lamps is their portability. Once you hang a chandelier or mount a couple wall sconces, you don’t want to move them! With a floor or table lamp, you’re able to easily move your source of light as needed – they also throw a decent amount of light.

Under-Cabinet Lighting

This light source combines task and accent lighting. If you have a shelf that showcases pictures or holds books and DVDs, under-cabinet lighting takes up virtually no space. You can find the movie you’re looking for and guests can admire the photos.

Wall Sconces

Oftentimes, wall sconces act as a source of accent lighting. Placed on either side of a mirror or canvas painting, wall sconces showcase the items around them. Depending on the number you mount, they can also be a decorative source of general illumination.

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