1. Add warmth with a wash of lighting
Before you buy anything, think long and hard about what type of living room you are choosing the lighting for. ‘Is it a more formal living room or a casual family hub type of space?’ asks Rohan Blacker, founder of lighting company Pooky(opens in new tab).
‘Also think about the aesthetics of the room,' continues Rohan, 'you can use a mix of lamps, pendants, and wall lights in various finishes to easily dictate style.’
‘The main function of a living room, more than any other space within the home,' he says, 'is to promote a sense of familiarity, relaxation, and coziness – all of which can be enhanced by lighting.’
Start by hanging pendants at different heights like these Otis ceiling shades, £30 each from Iconic Lights(opens in new tab) for visual variety. You can place them above an area of focus like a console table. Next, choose a table lamp with a similar finish for a coordinated look.
2. Swap out your old lightbulbs for 'smart' versions
Five years ago, we might have suggested that you install a dimmer switch as a clever living room lighting idea, giving you control over how brightly your lights shone. Nowadays, you need simply switch out your lightbulbs for bright versions for the same effect (and with far more functionality).
‘Don’t get overwhelmed by smart lighting and color-changing lamps, though,’ says Peter Legg, design & brand manager där Lighting Group(opens in new tab) and The Light Shade Studio(opens in new tab). ‘Try smart light bulbs in your existing fittings – the best feature is the ability to dim or turn off lights and create ‘schemes’ on your app via these bulbs. It does take some time to set up scenes, but once set up, you’ll be glad you did.’
Begin with a starter kit from Philips Hue at Amazon(opens in new tab) which covers two lights and you can link up to 50 in total around your house. When your smart lighting is linked to a smart assistant, you can turn the lights on and off and adjust the brightness all via voice control. You can also set schedules and design scenes depending on what you're using the room for.
3. Introduce a soft glow
‘Lighting can definitely make or break any interior scheme,' explains Peter Legg from Dar Lighting Group and The Light Shade Studio. 'Living rooms are often used for relaxing, so adding soft, layered light is the way to go.’
Low-level lighting covered in a naturally diffused shade made from bamboo or rattan casts interesting shadows at floor level and gives the space a warm, relaxed vibe.
4. Echo natural light with natural fabrics
Use your lamp base to add natural texture to your space, like this Palmer wood floor lamp(opens in new tab) from Next. The stacked ball design adds visual interest while the plain natural shade echoes the similar fabrics on the curtains and upholstery creating a calming, cohesive scheme.
Try to avoid cold white lightbulbs. Rohan Blacker from Pooky agrees. ‘Try using a soft warm yellow or white light, rather than a stark white, with a dimmer to find the right intensity.'
'It is no surprise that an open fire is always considered as the coziest place in a house – the lighting from the fire is localized, soft, and accented, and the colour and intensity are just right.’
5. Keep surfaces clear (but don't lose out on light)
Keep desk space clear of clutter - essential if you have a desk area in your living space - using a smart wall light hung above.
Rohan from Pooky loves a wall light. ' They add an extra layer to your overhead, table, and floor lamp options – they are unobtrusive, pretty, and very efficient with space if you aren’t spoilt with lots.’
‘They are beautiful as both ambient and accent lights,’ continues Rohan. ‘They can act as great practical task lighting and can make a striking design statement.’
6. Make a feature of inset shelving
‘The more sources of light you have, the more moods you can create. Clustering a few lamps is a great way to add impact to an alcove or mantlepiece,’ says Rohan from Pooky.
‘Keep these table lamps soft,’ agrees Peter Legg from Dar Lighting Group. ‘Pleated fabric shares are really trending right now. Again, low-wattage bulbs will allow you to build up these layers of light, creating different moods within the room, depending on the time of day or activity.’
7. Choose different lighting from a co-ordinating range
Even if your ceilings are low, you can still hang a striking pendant light. You can still have a statement central light, as interior designer Sarah Gare explains; ‘Just hang it above a sofa or coffee table as this is dead space that no one will walk under, so there aren’t any height restrictions. I’d also add directional spots in the ceiling and floor or table lamps.’
This clear glass cluster design is extra clever - as it's see-through, it allows you to see any wallpaper pattern through it.
8. Complement your interior scheme
Lighting elements don't always have to shout about their existence. Living room lighting ideas are often thought of as having to include bold pendants and bright shades, but that's not always the case.
Peter Legg of Dar Lighting Group advises, 'when choosing a lampshade, pick out a colour used in the rest of your interior scheme or choose a complementary colour.'
Choosing a light that melds beautifully with your living room color schemes, complementing it without distracting. Following commonly used shapes (whether graphically straight or quirkily curvy) will have the same effect.
9. Go for the pattern on the pattern
If you have patterned living room wallpaper ideas in your space, it might be tempting to choose a very simple wall light - or eschew them altogether. Instead, take this as an opportunity to create an extra dimension.
A textured wall light can appear to have a pattern of its own and will look striking against even the busiest of wallpapers. Just make sure that it's a neutral color as both pattern and color clashing can be a little overwhelming.
10. Layer your lighting
One thing that should never be forgotten with living room lighting ideas is layering. No matter how large or small your space, whether it's an ultra-modern or quiet country, or if you subscribe to living room trends or not, layering is key to a successful scheme.
‘You can create layers of lighting by having various lights and settings for different moods,’ says interior designer Sarah Gare. ‘Try some large lamps on side tables on either side of the sofa for a warm glow to watch television or read, while a chandelier in the center of the room can be quite dramatic, as can architectural lighting around the room.’
Peter Legg from Dar Lighting adds: ‘If you’ve got the room and budget, always think of your centre light as a feature rather than the primary light source, using a dimmer or low-wattage bulbs so it doesn’t overwhelm the rest of your scheme.’
‘The more sources of light you have, the more moods you can create. Clustering a few lamps is a great way to add impact to an alcove or mantlepiece,’ says Rohan from Pooky.
Make sure you account for all your activities and moods. Use an overhead light for blanket brightness, floor lamp and wall lights for ambiance, and reading lights for focus time.
11. Choose a sculptural style
Lighting doesn't just have to be practical - it can be pretty and artistic, too. A beautifully sculptural lamp will add a new dimension to your surfaces and can become a focal point in and of itself.
Choose an option with shapes or colors that tone in with your other decorative items for a cohesive feel.
12. Add drama with a modern ceiling light
A contemporary ceiling light will add a splash of drama to your space. Look for designs that incorporate brass, opaque glass, and sculptural shapes for the utmost interest in modern living room ideas.
Peter Legg from Dar Lighting agrees: ‘For a well-lit living room, I’d have a beautiful crystal central light hanging over a coffee table where no one can bump into it, with table lamps adding layers of light.’
Remember, in this case, bigger can most definitely be better, so have some fun with it.
13. Source a vintage chandelier
For a unique addition to your living room lighting ideas while being kind to the environment (win-win), find a vintage piece.
Look to mid-century living room ideas for inspiration. The softly undulating shapes and use of glass and metal are sure to create a one-of-a-kind feel in your home.
14. Pick the perfect pendant
'Investing in a feature ceiling light helps to transform your space in two ways: it draws the eye upwards and opens the space up, and tricks the eye into thinking that the space is bigger than it is,' says Natalie Mann, New Product Development Co-Ordinator at Iconic Lights(opens in new tab).
'It's not always necessary to opt for an overhead living room lighting ideas,' adds Jo Aynsley, Designer Director, Jeffreys Interiors(opens in new tab). 'But comes down to design preference and how you plan to use the room.'
15. Add on-trend texture with woven pendant shades
Changing a light shade can be transformative to a room's decor. Not to mention simple and cost-effective.
Natural textures will add a touch of biophilia to the space, helping you to relax to the max. Plus, these type of rustic living room ideas' design details looks just as striking when the bulbs are switched off.
16. Keep wall lights simple and sophisticated
'Wall lights are a great addition to a living room,' says Natalie from Iconic Lights. 'They act as a much softer alternative to an overhead light and add visual interest to the walls.' Keep the design simple and understated for a sophisticated finish.
'Living room wall lighting ideas are great for an ambient tone,' adds Simon from Fritz Fryer. 'They create a low level of light and bring out features in a room. It's all about balancing the layers.'
17. Lean into a theme
The best way to make all your living room lights blend seamlessly, without being too matchy-matchy is by coordinating a theme. For coastal living room ideas, for example, you might want to combine enamel shades with traditional glass Fisherman pendants.
By using a combination of materials and shapes, you'll create a more relaxed, organic vibe in the room. Less show home and more authentically collected.
18. Zone open-plan layouts
'By creating light and shade areas, you can have cozier spaces within open-plan living room ideas,' says Simon from Fritz Fryer. 'Mix up the layers of light, highlight architectural features with accent lighting, and don't over-light areas that don't need illuminating.'
'Look at your room and decide where function lighting is needed and mood lighting is required,' adds Natalie from Iconic Lights. 'There'll be some crossover between the two, so dimmer switches will give flexibility to switch between function and mood lighting.'
19. Mismatch lampshades
Do all lamp shades in a room have to match? 'No,' says Jo from Jeffreys Interiors. 'Unless they are a matching pair. For wall lights though, it's best to match.'
'It's important to work out what kind of living room lighting ideas you want,' adds Natalie from Iconic Lights. 'The weight and color of the shade will impact the amount and tone of light emitted. If you want brightness, consider mesh shades or glass. Or dispense with shades and go for exposed bulbs- Edison-style.'
20. Illuminate dark corners
If you have a dark corner, such as an alcove beside your fireplace ideas, a lamp can prove invaluable. This helps to illuminate the space, to make the room feel bigger, and add depth. It can also help to make it feel more characterful after dark, as the shadows play with the space to create interest in contrast to the light bouncing directly off a flat wall.
You can choose to direct the light slightly more into the alcove, as opposed to shining it directly outwards – as desired.
21. Mimic natural light with wall lights
Placement is an all-important factor when it comes to lighting, for any room. We tend to use living rooms throughout the day, so mimicking the natural light with well-placed lighting options is a good idea.
If you have skylights in your living room, place the wall lights directly beneath. Once dark outside these will help replace the lost light, giving the room a consistent brightness
22. Play with the scale
'Think about the size of the room and scale of chosen design' advises Suzy McMahon, buying director at Sofology(opens in new tab). 'The addition of a large floor lamp can draw the eye, adding personality and making a statement.'
'However, for small living room ideas, consider floor lamps with slim bases that won’t take up too much space; these also offer a way to light darker corners and hallways without being imposing.'
23. Bring symmetry with matching table lamps
Take a tip from the interior designers and double up for a more professional, put-together look for with your living room lighting ideas. Two identical table lamps used on either side of the sofa can really anchor a scheme, especially when set on matching tables.
24. Go glam with a glass droplet chandelier
Chandeliers might not be as popular as they were ten years ago when shabby chic fixtures were all the rage. But they can still be a classy and contemporary lighting option.
When used as a central lighting choice, it may be that you hardly use this as your lighting option – it can be there to provide more of a decorative purpose.
A top tip when choosing a chandelier is to opt for a dimmer switch, to allow you to control how bright the light is. Use to the nature of having multiple arms, these designs can often be very bright.
25. Mix-and-match lampshades and bases
The right table lamp can brighten up a room even when it's turned off. The trick here is to mix patterns with block colors and to take two contrasting colors to come up with a combo that really pops.
It's an easy but effective way of creating interest with small living room lighting ideas.
26. Welcome fashionable flex
The lamp flex – AKA the cable that runs to the plug socket – is having a moment. No longer the poor cousin to a flashier shade or even bulb, it's being allowed to make its own style statement.
Add a little splash of color and pattern to simple living room ideas, or coordinate in more maximalist spaces.
27. Co-ordinate with your furniture
For a truly cohesive and considered feel, work your living room lighting ideas in with your furniture choices. Choose a light in a colour to match a hero piece in your space, such as the sofa or a statement ottoman.
28. Add adjustable wall lighting
Wall lighting provides the perfect way to create a more directional approach with fixed lighting. Choosing living room lighting ideas that sit on the wall with adjustable rams allows you to concentrate pools of light exactly where you want them to shine, a great characteristic in open-plan living spaces.
29. Introduce natural light with skylights
You might think adding roof lights is a huge structural undertaking, but it can be surprisingly easy – especially if you only opt to add one or two. However, the transformation will be instant and dramatic. Velux is a good place to start your research – and if you'd prefer a larger roof lantern, try Apropos.
'Getting the balance right between natural living room lighting ideas and fitted lamps can be tricky, so think about what exactly you need,' adds Natalie from Iconic Lights.
30. Make a grown-up display of string lights
Fairy lights don't have to be exclusive to Christmas trees and kids' rooms. Pick the right design and they can be used tastefully to light up a dark corner for budget living room ideas.
Cotton ball string lights are ideal – provided you stick to tones like white, taupe or soft grey, you're on to a style winner.