Tips & Tricks
A Guide to Living Room Lighting
Lighting plays a huge role in creating the perfect atmosphere for your living room.
Do you want warm, cozy lighting for a quiet evening in or bright, lively lighting for entertaining large groups? Whatever atmosphere you desire, making the right lighting decisions can help you accomplish just that.
How Many Lamps Do You Need in Your Living Room?
When we design a living room, we typically recommend anywhere from 2-4 lamps. However, the exact number of lamps your living room needs depends largely on factors like:
• The size of your living room
• The layout of your living room
• The light fixtures that already exist in your living room
• The amount of natural light your living room gets
• How you want your living room to be used
• Your own personal preferences on lighting
Can You Have Different Lamps In The Living Room?
Mixing and matching different lamps can bring a lot of character to your space. However, we always recommend picking lamps that still have some similarities, like shade colors or base shapes.
Can You Have Too Many Lamps In A Living Room?
While we believe in getting creative with your lighting, it can be easy to go overboard. Remember that your living room will likely have other light fixtures like wall sconces or overhead lights. This is why we don’t typically recommend more than four lamps. When it comes to your living room, we want it to feel homey and spacious. Adding more lamps would only take away from that.
How Many Lumens for a Living Room?
An average estimate for how many lumens your living room needs is 1,000-2,000. However, this might not be true in all spaces or scenarios. You may need additional lumens if your living room has darker walls or high ceilings.
Want a consultation? As interior design specialists, we’ll provide a more accurate estimate for your space. Send us a message to get in touch today!
How to Light a Living Room With No Overhead Lighting
No overhead lighting? There are more solutions than you might think!
1. Floor lamps – Tall and slim, floor lamps fit behind furniture, in corners, and in other tight spaces with ease. They can provide as much or as little light as you need.
2. Uplights – Made to highlight certain areas in your living room, uplights are small and often hidden in corners or behind things like plants or mirrors.
3. Table lamps – While they are the most traditional lighting option for your living room, the design options are limitless!
4. Plug-in sconces – Plug them in, set them up, and enjoy their ambient glow. They typically work best in pairs and highlight things like fireplaces or artwork.
5. Plug-in pendants – Get the same look and feel as mounted pendants without the hard wiring. Just plug them in, hang them up, and watch your living room come together!
6. Cove lighting – Elevate your living room with hidden LED lights. Apply them under furniture or on top of cabinets for a more sophisticated look.
7. And more! Talk to us about your options.
What Color Light Is Best for Living Rooms?
Generally, we find warm, white light to be best for your living room. It’s great for relaxing, reading, watching TV, or entertaining guests. However, it all depends on your own preferences and lighting needs.
How to Choose Lamps for Living Rooms
How Will You Use Your Lamp?
When choosing lamps for your living room, we encourage you to first think about how you will use the lamp. If you’re just looking to brighten up a corner of your living room, a floor lamp might be best. But if you are wanting more light by your reading chair, you might be interested in a task lamp.
How Much Space is Available?
If you are looking for a table lamp, it’s important to keep the size of your tabletop in mind. Even if a lamp technically fits, you should still leave some room for books, drinks, or decor. Similarly, it’s also good to consider how much space you have when looking for a floor lamp. We recommend measuring your area before bringing one home in case the lamp it’s too bulky or angled.
Shopping for Lamps: Our Recommendations
Many retailers sell living room lamps in a variety of styles, sizes, and price ranges. However, if you’re looking for some out-of-the-box options, we encourage you to check out these creative online shops.
Find the Right Lighting For Your Living Room with By Design Properties
Lighting is the first step to feeling at home in your space and we hope this guide to living room lighting helps you do just that. But if you’re still not sure how to get the lighting you desire or if you have any other interior design questions, contact us for a consultation! We’re here to help you create your dream home from living rooms to kitchens, bedrooms, dining rooms, and more.
Serving the Greater Grand Rapids area, By Design Properties specializes in boutique real estate development and design consultancy. We blend expertise in real estate investment, development, and bespoke design to craft unique living experiences.