Lighting is the game changer of any well-designed space. Effective lighting adds depth and dimension to the space changing the vibe and energy of the room. The balance of light and shade defines the mood and brings life to the space. Doing the living room lighting may be rather overwhelming while doing your living space as you do not want to overdo or play down and kill the charm of the room.
Living Room Lighting Ideas
Using Corners
A living room complete with furniture is bound to have dead corners or spaces that are perfect for a side table to complete the look. Such pockets are just the right spots for some versatile lighting.
Floor lamps are a perfect choice for such corners. The vibe of the space will dictate the lighting effect of the floor lamp – opt for a shaded lamp for a subtle calm effect, an inverted floor lamp for ambient lighting, while a multi-head floor lamp can be used for aesthetics as well as some brighter light within the space.
In case your living room has a small niche you wish to make your favorite reading nook, elevate the look of the space by some pendant lights that hang above. Creating a spotlight effect, design a cozy corner by placing some comfortable cushions and throw pillows as you enjoy a relaxed evening with a hot cup of your favorite drink as you immerse yourself in your books.
Side tables work well for a variety of table lamps. Pick lamps that suit the decor and design of the room, ranging from modern minimalistic to painted glass decorative lamps, the choices are plentiful. Vary the intensity of the light fixture depending on the purpose of the lamp!
Centrepieces
Make a statement with your living room decor by installing a fancy over-the-top centrepiece for your space. You may opt for the classic crystal chandeliers or pick from the more modern pieces. Design tip – look for light fixtures that have dimmers which can be adjusted to tone down the lighting for a cozy, soft glow.
An oversized chandelier can give a glamorous and showy look to the space, while contemporary minimalistic ceiling centrepieces are the most trending choices in the recent times. Colorful Moroccan lanterns may seem the right choice for a Boho living room. There is a lot of variety to select from, including the material, color, shape, size and pattern. The overall design style of the space is crucial while selecting a central ceiling centrepiece light for the living room.
Do keep in mind the size of the chandelier to the proportion of the room while selecting one, and ensure the right height when installing. A disproportionate ceiling centrepiece can ruin the look while making it seem visually disturbing or overwhelming.
Indirect Lighting Ideas
One of the most popular lighting ideas for living room is the use of indirect ambient lighting that bathes the space in a warm, soft glow. Set the mood right as you enjoy some wine and cheese on a cozy evening with your loved ones for a movie night as recessed cove lighting works its magic within the space.
This is the most apt lighting for a theatre or media room as it minimises shadows and any reflected glare. It is also quite widely used in living areas as it tends to accentuate the space and eliminate dark spots lighting up the room evenly.
While opting for indirect living room lighting, understand and choose the right style that suits your personal preferences. Individual lightings such as recessed cove lighting or wall wash lighting have a unique illumination output. You may even opt for an indirect pendant lamp to serve the purpose incase of a corner of the room.
Mood Lighting Ideas For The Living Room
Decorating a room is never complete without adding some cute touches to the decor by some accent pieces. Decor lighting is now a big thing, and the options are quite unlimited. Pick styles that suit your space and add that personal cosy touch to the room to finish it off.
Fairy lights are now big in the home decor market. Instantly jazzing up the space while maintaining an elegant look and soft glow, fairy lights are the perfect addition to the plant in the corner – string it around, or lay it at the foot of the plant on the pot – it is sure to make the space twinkle with magic. You may also put a bunch of fairy lights in a clear glass bottle for a rather chic DIY centre table light.
Giving a classic look, lanterns are making a strong comeback in home decor. A matt black for a stylish grace, or a wood finished lantern for a rustic look, pick one to suit your taste. Light up a scented pillar candle inside the lantern, and place it one corner of the room for a subtle, muted effect for the evening.
For an eclectic or Boho decor, customised neon lights are the perfect fit to complete the puzzle. A tailor-made ‘Dream’ or ‘Be Happy’ sign in a bright fun neon color is sure to change the vibe of the room and bring in some energy to the space. Complement the neon color to the rest of the decor to make it stand out!
Task Lighting
Task lighting very often relates to lighting used for the working space within a home office. However, it is a smart choice to highlight some specific spaces such as the bar counter. You can never go wrong with under the cabinet task lighting for your bar counter area. Hide your profile lights in the cabinets above.
Light up the cabinet with some direct spot lights making the glassware sparkle while the countertop shines under the cabinet lighting. Create a design wall with mirrors behind for an extravagant look!
Lighting Ideas For The Wall
Retain a traditional touch to your living room decor by installing sconce lights for your living room lighting purposes. Highlight any statement art pieces or create a patterned yet muted lighting effect by placing sconce lights on the wall. Pick a rather modern sconce to match your design style and light up dark corners quick and easy!