Your living room is where most of your family togetherness happens, making it a key part of your home interior. It’s the room where you entertain guests, watch movies, curl up and relax or read, and play with your kids — and of late it’s become the place where you work from home, too! With so many different activities happening in the same space, the lighting must be carefully planned. Here’s a how-to guide for the living room from the lighting experts at HomeLane, so you can get it right the first time!
Layers of Lights in Living Room
Let’s begin by listing out the various layers of lighting you need to look at. Every room must have three layers of lighting that must be balanced to create the ambience you seek.
- Ambient Lighting is the basic general lighting in your room. The natural light that comes in from your windows during the daytime is ambient light, and in the evenings it is the artificial lighting that is a substitute for this natural light.
- In your living room, this could include chandeliers, ceiling lights and wall lights that light up a larger area of the room. Ambient lighting is the foundation upon which the other two types of lights are layered.
- Task Lighting is the second layer and is purely functional and utilitarian. It’s the light that allows you to read, work or perform any specific task. The task lighting you may need to cater for in the living room includes reading lamps, adjustable floor lamps, under counter lights, and table lamps.
- Accent Lighting is what creates the atmosphere and adds a dramatic touch to your room interior. Also called mood lighting, accent lights can highlight important artefacts or artwork and can draw attention to any particular décor feature that you wish to highlight.
Think of adding picture lights above a family portrait, a focussed spotlight above a wall niche, or an uplight that dramatizes a special feature wall. Accent lights can be fitted with dimmer switches to enhance the mood you create.
How-Tos: Tips and Tricks
- Combine all three layers for an optimally designed space that scores high on function and aesthetics.
- Consider lighting at three levels: on the ceiling, at the mid-wall level and at table level. Each level casts different types of shadows. Generally, the closer a lamp is to the ceiling, the flatter will be the light it emits.
- If your living room is small, free up the floor by using wall sconces or ceiling pendants.
- A single striking chandelier can make a statement and be the sole focus of your décor.
- Colourful lampshades can add a touch of the eclectic.
- Rice paper lamps or rattan lampshades complement an organic themed living room.
Seeking décor inspiration? Here’s how top designers have brightened up their living room with perfectly planned lights!
Ceiling Spot Lights
Recessed spotlights in the false ceiling offer general lighting that is clean and glare-free, evenly lighting up your room without shadows.
Adjustable Pole Lights
An interesting ensemble of adjustable lights on a pole can face any direction and light up different parts of the living room.
Warm Sunshine
The best form of ambient light is sunlight! Allow natural light to stream in through tall windows and skylights, wherever possible.
Edison Lamps
Tungsten filament lamps, popularly known as Edison lamps, are stylish and contemporary options for a chic interior.
Wall Sconces
Wall sconces with Empire style lampshades are the perfect choice for this contemporary living room, throwing light that is directed below.
Chandeliers
A chandelier is an elegant choice for any living room and can be the focal point of the entire décor.
Tall Floor Light
Tall floor lights can be directed upwards, sideways or downwards to focus light where you most need it. This iconic curved lamp comes with a polka-dotted retro pattern that adds a touch of whimsy to the décor!
A trio of Pendant Lights
A lighting grid with a trip of pendant lights offers dramatic flair in this unique living room.
Living room Downlights
A series of downlights at the edge of the ceiling throws overlapping arcs of light that emphasize the textures on the living room wall.
Multiple Pendants
A medley of globe lights creates lighting magic in this industrial-style loft. Create separate connections that allow you to light up some or all of them, depending on what mood you are in!
Table Lamps
Table lamps can be designed to match any living room décor theme and can be placed anywhere and everywhere; on a side table, a desk, a countertop or even on the top of your piano!
Niche Lights
Spotlights at the top of this recessed niche showcase any artefacts or artwork that you would like to display.
Shelf Lights
Planning a green wall? Tiny spotlights below each shelf emit a soft glow on the potted plants below.
Reading Corner
A floor lamp doubles up as task lighting in this quiet corner of your living room, turned into a reading nook.
Ceiling Trays
Modern spaces can be warmed up with the right lighting plan. Recessed strip lights in the tray ceiling provide soft, diffused light that casts a warm glow in the room.
Lighting is one of the most important design elements that is, quite often, not given the importance it deserves. Plan your lighting early, and shop for the perfect lighting fixtures that can take your Living room décor to the next level.
Looking for bespoke lighting designs for your Living room? HomeLane can help!
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