We selected some of our best recommendations when it comes to living room lighting ideas. Since it’s often the most used room in the house, your living room has to work in most situations from movie nights, friends’ gatherings, readings, homework and the odd games nights. Given the various activities happening, your living room lighting has to work well.
When looking at living room lighting ideas, there are usually three types: task lighting, ambient lighting and accent lighting. There is no set rule for any particular living room light. Having said that, you can select any lighting that you wish. From contemporary to modern we’ve got lots of stylish living room lighting ideas for you to consider.
Living Room Lighting Ideas
Contemporary Lighting for Living Room
We like to start off by keeping things really simple. Simple living room design works best in modern settings. The major advantage of having a modern and simple living room design is that, you can select any lighting that you like. You can go as simple as you like or as dramatic as you wish.
For example, you can look at a modern chandelier or a modern pendant light. A striking looking light fixture in your living room can complete the entire look and feel of the space. You can use the lighting piece to light up the seating area to create a central point. If you choose so, you can also add a light dimmer so you can change the mood of the room.
We love this elegant, simple yet sophisticated light from Warmly Decor. It retails for $285. Check for shipping costs. If you want to make a statement, this is a must have light for your living room.
Traditional Living Room Lighting
If you have a traditional style living room, it doesn’t mean that it has to be boring or that your lights need to hide. There are a great deal of beautiful lights that you can use with a traditional living room style. Depending on you wall colours and your furniture, you have options here.
First, you can go with a decorative lighting fixture. The brown wall light from Neptune is a beautiful take on a traditional wall lantern. The colour is dark bronze which makes it feel warm and welcoming, the perfect setting for a living room. This living room light is made from powder-coated steel ensuring durability. Price is $300+ but do check for a deal on sale.
There’s another option from Neptune if you prefer more of a chandelier type of light for your living room, but with a traditional, simplistic design. We recommend the Browning Lantern Pedant. Although a bit more expensive at $700+, this is worth a look for anyone that is looking for a traditional yet beautiful light for their living room.
Neutral Living Room Colours? Add Some Colour with a Colourful Lamp or Pendant
If your living room is neutral and you’re looking at adding some colour, look no further than adding a unique, colourful lamp. A colourful lamp for your living room will brighten up your living space, making it more inviting and cheery.
If you prefer to add a colourful pendant, we found these that will look great with any neutral colour in any living room. Pricing wise, it all varies from $100 and up but you can find some good deals on sales, online. Have a look around for various colours and shades.
Multiple Overhead Lights
Living rooms come in all different shapes and sizes. Some get plenty of natural light and others don’t. It all comes down to personal preference. Some people like large spaces so like more smaller, intimate areas. If you have a large living room and lack a lot of natural light coming in, consider having multiple overhead lights to brighten up your living space.
We like this set-up because you have a variety of options here that can look great, ultimately adding a unique look and feel to your living room decor. For example, you can go with a central light fixture such as a chandelier or a pendant. We prefer to go with a pendant that is unique. On each side of the wall, add two to three wall lights that you like. If you have higher ceilings, you can add a few ceiling lights also but don’t over do it.
Consider Floor Lamps
If you don’t like or don’t have a ceiling fixture you can go with a floor lamp. We suggest looking at floor lamps that curve. The idea here is that you want to cover as much of the living room space as possible. Having a floor lamp that curves will give you the ability to add light from above without having to dig in for new wires for a new ceiling light fixture.
For example, we like the Cheddigton 88″ Tree Floor Lamp from Wayfair. Priced well for about $200, you can get a beautiful light that will cover a lot of space in your living room with its five arching arms. Besides, this floor lamp is made from stainless steel ensuring durability.
Low-Hanging Lights
Going back to the high ceiling living rooms, you can take advantage of a low-hanging light fixture also. This will add a layer of space in your home. Depending on your living room decor, you can chose to go with a pendant or a few. Great for a unique look especially if the lights are above a beautiful coffee table.
The other option that we like is a tiered chandelier. We love this Flanders 8 Tiered Chandelier from Wayfair. Price at $300, this represents good value and a unique look for a living room that has high ceilings.
Corner Lights
Perhaps you have enough natural light coming in through your living room but lack light in some of your corners. The simple solution here is adding a corner light. Corner lights don’t have to be boring. You can select a colourful and unique lamp or go with a simple yet interesting light such as a nautical light as illustrated below.
Combining Old and New
There’s no set rule when it comes to living room lighting ideas. It’s your living space and that often shows some of your personality. If you like, you can combine old and new lighting fixtures to add an interesting decor to your place.
Perhaps you have an old chandelier that your aunt gave you or you found an interesting wall light or lamp at an antique market. Just because it “doesn’t match”, add it anyway. This will bring your space to life and add more character.
Steel Pendant For an Industrial Look
Industrial inspired living room decor has been trending for a while now. Typically involving darker wall colours, a metal pendant light fixture will complement this well. For example, you can go with a simple, one light dome pendant such as the one below. It retails for $150 and sometimes it goes on sale, with free delivery available. This will brighten up a darker living room and add more character.
Include Task Lighting in Your Living Room
We often read while we laze around in our living room. Having a good task light will make this easier and more pleasant. We like floor lamps that adjust in height and also move freely as we wish.
We like the Skurup Reading Lamp from Ikea. Priced at $49.99, it is a good value and it can match in any decor. Made of metal and easy to adjust, this task light will be the perfect companion when reading a good book in your living room.
Go for a Lighting Pair
Who says that you can’t double your lighting fixtures? Given the pendant trends, why not have two beautiful light fixtures hang over a coffee table or a dining room. This will give the space symmetry and balance, making it more unique.
We like the double pendant lights below from Wayfair. Although smaller than a regular pendant, these lights pack a punch. The other advantage is that you can add wall lamps or a floor lamp for added light if needed, making your living room more unique. These retail for about $99.
Add Lighting to Your Fireplace Mantel
Do you have a fireplace in your living room? Don’t leave this prime space empty. You can add decorative lamps or candle lights. This will dress up your fireplace mantel nicely and give your living room a cozy and comfortable feel. Perfect for those cold nights or when reading a book.
Oversize Living Room Lighting
Want to create a focal point in your living room? Got for an oversized pendant light or a chandelier. This works well if you don’t get much natural light. There are various shapes and sizes to chose from, so pick what you like in terms of colour, shape and size. For example, if you want to draw attention, select a bight colour, large pendant light. If you want to go minimalistic, go with an oversize white pendant light.
Go with LED Lighting
There are a various LED lights options available on the market today. From LED bulbs, LED colours, LED Lighting Tubes and more, you can find something that will fit your living room lighting needs.
You can go with a LED glow or a white LED light fixture. We prefer and recommend a simple, white light as this will add the perfect amount of light needed to brighten a living room space.
So whether you’re looking for a modern light, elegant lamp or a decorative wall light, we’ve presented a lot of living room lighting ideas here for your reference.
The main idea to remember is that your living room can function as a multi-purpose room. From reading your favourite book, to movie nights marathons to hosting friends and family, this space is universal on so many levels.
You’ll want to incorporate lights that are unique as well as functional. Budget considerations are obvious but you can find bargains online that come with free delivery. You can find a good quality pendant or lamps for $150 or less. Also, don’t forget to check your local antique market if you’re looking for something unique with character.
If you need more guidance on living room furniture, tips and tricks, you can see our furniture review of Ashley Furniture to get a better idea on what’s available for living room pieces.
If you have recently renovated or got a new living room light fixture, we’ll be very interested in learning more about your purchase. Please leave your comment below so that others can benefit from your knowledge.