How to properly arrange the lighting in the living room, interior design ideas
There are many things to consider when choosing lighting for your living room. To decorate such a room, you need to focus on the amount of natural light, the rules for zoning space, the need to use decorative elements. Not insignificant is the overall style of the room, which should certainly be taken into account when choosing lamps.
What factors should be considered when arranging lighting in the living room
When decorating a living room, a considerable number of factors must be taken into account. They influence the choice of light sources.
Functional objective
The living room is used for various purposes - receiving guests, reading, watching TV. If the room is small, a central lamp is enough. If you need to zone the space, use additional lamps.
Day light
When choosing fixtures, the volume of light entering the room is taken into account. If there are a lot of them, it will be possible to get by with a minimum of devices. In dark rooms, it is worth providing many lamps.
The need for additional lighting and decoration
A lamp is often placed near the chair. It is recommended to decorate the area above the TV with small light sources. This will make the room more comfortable.
Style features
When choosing light sources, one should take into account the general style of the room. Trendy design does not involve fancy chandeliers. In this case, high-tech lighting sources are used. At the same time, the classic interior can be diversified with a sophisticated chandelier.
Kinds
There are several types of lighting, each with specific characteristics.
The main
Today, basic lighting is considered the most popular, which involves the use of a chandelier in the center. Classic style lamps are ubiquitous. The use of a multitrack chandelier contributes to the good diffusion of light.
When choosing a single lamp, you should focus on the living room. In small rooms, a chandelier seems appropriate. This option will make it possible to highlight the dining room.The spare room will require other light sources to help affect all parts of the living room.
Additional
The living room often combines several zones - a place for communication, a dining area, a working area. In this situation, additional lights are required.
Embroidery, reading and other work lead to eye strain. Therefore, it is so important to choose the right lighting. For small jobs, it is worth using floor lamps. Table lamps are also suitable. It is allowed to place a wall lamp above a sofa or a table.
Interior lamps are used as an element of zoning. They help to illuminate the desired areas and make the room more elegant.
Decorative
There are often objects in the living room that require special attention. These include paintings, mirrors, figurines. Spotlights are used to highlight these elements. Soft light helps create a graceful space and draws attention to collectibles.
One of such types of lighting is considered to be a spot that regulates the luminous flux. They make it possible to favorably illuminate a certain part of the room.
Wall niches
An interesting option would be to illuminate niches in the wall. They may contain works of art or furniture.
Individual decoration elements
The lighting of the decorative elements looks good. This makes it possible to highlight the interesting details of the room.
Pictures or picture frames
Often, additional lamps are used to illuminate paintings or photographs that decorate the living room.
For aquariums
An aquarium is considered an excellent solution for placing light sources. This option looks very impressive.
Clever
If there are several light sources in the living room, it is recommended to use the intelligent control system. In such a situation, a remote control is used, which serves to control the saturation of the lighting. It can be mobile or fixed to the wall.
Basic rules
There are a number of recommendations to follow when choosing lighting sources. This will help create a harmonious interior.
One lamp is not enough
When decorating a living room, central lighting is often used. This is the most popular and affordable option. However, additional lamps must be used.
Highlight the main square
The main square should be present in the room, which should be emphasized with light. It can be a table or a sofa. Decorative elements are often singled out.
Soft light
In the living room, it is recommended to use lamps that emit soft light. Such sources provide comfort.
Ceiling lights cannot be placed in a row
It is not recommended to arrange spot lamps in a single row.
For each of the fragments of the piece, background lighting is used.
Zoning
The living room should be lit in separate areas. This is done using local lamps and devices.
Hide flaws from within
The correct use of light sources can hide certain imperfections in a room.
Location of switches
It is recommended to place the switches at a height of 0.8 to 1.7 meters from the floor. It is important that it is convenient for all residents of the house. Usually the device is mounted near the front door - this is done at a distance of 10 centimeters from the box.
Types of luminaires
There are several options for lamps that are often used to decorate the interior of a living room.
Chandelier
It is a popular traditional option. Today, chandeliers are used not only to decorate a classic room. There are many modern options that help to achieve a harmonious interior.
Street lamp
Refined fixtures are used where there is a need for direct lighting. It is recommended to place the floor lamps in the corner. They are also placed near a sofa or chair.
Lamp
It is allowed to put an interesting lamp on the bedside table.The device will become a source of lighting and perform decorative functions.
Candlestick
These lamps are used to highlight interior items - a fireplace or a mirror. They are also often mounted near the TV.
Suspended
Instead of a chandelier, it is allowed to use pendant lights. They can light one lamp or several at a time.
Point
These are small recessed luminaires in stretch ceilings or plasterboard structures. Spot bulbs are used as a room or main light source.
Place
They are direct light luminaires that can be turned in different directions. They are becoming more and more popular. In this case, it is allowed to use one or more lamps at a time.
How to Organize by Style
When choosing light sources, you should definitely take into account the style in which the living room is decorated.
Attic
This interior is characterized by an open space with high ceilings. Therefore, it is perfectly acceptable to use adjustable lamps. They are supplemented with chains or long threads.
Such a lamp can be lowered to the required height. The interior will be complemented by lamps and floor lamps that look like spotlights.Luminaires should have simple shapes. They are decorated with metal, wood or leather.
Baroque
This style is characterized by luxury. The decoration of the living room requires a lot of light. It is worth choosing lamps that depict mythical heroes or works of art. When choosing a palette, you should give preference to red, golden and bronze tones.
Provence
This interior is organically complemented by natural materials. It is advisable to choose ceramic or wooden fixtures. Metal and stone lamps are no less successful.
As for the palette of shades, preference should be given to a combination of white and pink. Delicate green tones or gray colors look great.
Cottage
This style involves interior decoration using natural materials. It is advisable to choose lamps made of wood, metal, glass. In this case, it is worth giving preference to a laconic design. The colors should also be natural. Gray, black and beige tones look great.
Advanced technology
Spotlights fit perfectly into this high-tech style. They should have a shiny surface.
Classic
A classic style living room can be complemented with a crystal chandelier with candle-shaped bulbs. Beautiful wall sconces and an exquisite floor lamp will help emphasize the sophisticated shapes.
Modern
The Art Nouveau style can be supplemented with fancy chandeliers and unusual lamps. They should be made in bright colors. To emphasize the individuality of the room, it is worth choosing original shapes.
How to correctly perform light zoning
For zoning the hall, it is worth using partitions, colors and lamps.With the help of light, it is possible to designate the zones of the living room without performing complex transformations.
To do this, use LED lighting for podiums, stairs, niches in the wall. Thanks to the use of bright accents, it is possible to make the room more cozy.
In the recreation area it is allowed to arrange wall sconces or floor lamps. Thanks to this, it is possible to achieve a relaxing environment.
Subtleties and ideas
When decorating a room, it is allowed to use interesting ideas from designers.
small living room
Volumetric lamps are not suitable for small rooms. It is better to illuminate the living room with a floor lamp or a lamp in the corner.
large room
For a spacious room, you can take an interesting chandelier and place it above the dining area. A good solution would be to buy a lampshade. For other areas, dim sconces and floor lamps are suitable.
Architectural ceilings
Such ceilings represent an unusual solution.In this case, spot lighting is suitable. A flexible LED strip will help emphasize this design option for a living room.
Long rectangular shape
Living rooms are often elongated and rectangular. To make the space more harmonious, it is worth placing 2 lamps on the ceiling. They must be the same.
Decoration without chandelier
This type of lighting is said to be American. It consists in the rejection of the use of ceiling lights. Instead, floor lamps, sconces and other fixtures are used.
Floor lighting
An excellent solution would be to use floor lighting. This helps to make the design of the room lighter and airier.
Downdraft and Updraft Lamps
This is an original solution that is often used to decorate the living room. It gives pep to the room.
LED light strip
This technique makes it possible to create a unique interior and emphasize different parts of the living room - baseboard, sofa, wall.
Chandelier with candle lamps
It is a beautiful decorative solution that helps to bring a fabulous touch to the interior of the living room.
Raw luster
This option will organically complement the brutal interior. These lamps are often used for loft-style interiors.
Chandelier on long hangers
These chandeliers have many bulbs. They are often used to decorate the living room.
Cornice lighting
Ceiling lighting is a good solution. Thanks to this, it is possible to create the feeling of a volumetric dome.
Examples of out-of-the-box design solutions
To decorate a room, you can use the advice of designers:
- An original designer lamp can be placed in the living room. However, in this case, the rest of the details should be concise.
- If the room is made in pastel colors, then the room will look bright and without additional light sources. However, an unusual floor lamp will help complete the room.
- For a small room, it is worth using 3 types of lighting. This will help divide the space into a living room, dining room and hallway.
There are many factors to consider when choosing light sources for your living room. The amount of natural light, the style of the room and individual preferences are of great importance.