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Tasteful lighting is an interior designer’s secret to elevating any space. Learn how to layer lighting to make your living room feel cozy and collected with these classic lighting ideas.
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The living room is one of the most used spaces in a home because it’s where we gather as a family and entertain guests. Even if your living room decor is gorgeous, the wrong lighting can instantly make the space feel unwelcoming. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry! This guide will show you how to perfectly layer your living room lighting, give you examples of what not to do, and show you were you can find lighting for a range of budgets.
Where to start when it comes to lighting design
First, you’ll want to assess your space (what features does it already have and what are its limitations). If you live in an older how like I do, you may not have any overhead lighting, light switches, or many outlets in your living room. If you live in a new build, you may have a blindingly bright space with a swiss cheese ceiling of can lights.
Next, you’ll want to figure out what you need. For example, if you have a chair you like sitting in to read, you probably want a floor or table lamp nearby. If you need light near the sofa, consider adding a console table with lamps behind it or lamps on side tables.
You should also estimate your budget for your living room lighting. This will help you decide where to splurge and where to save. If you don’t plan ahead, costs can quickly balloon. I’ll give you tips later for maximizing your budget.
Living room lighting mistakes you don’t want to make
The obvious two issues would be having too much light or not having enough light. However, the type of lights you choose, the placement and scale, and the tone of light can all significantly impact the aesthetics of your space.
Excessive recessed lighting
Properly placed recessed lights can help balance the lighting in your space. However, if you go overboard with it, your ceiling starts to look like swiss cheese. Can lighting also casts harsh shadows downward without adding warmth or dimension, which flattens architectural details and leaves furniture and decor looking stark.
If your living room looks like the one below, don’t despair! You have several options for fixing this. The easiest thing to do is to remove the light and replace it with a cover plate. Your living room will no longer be covered in spot lights, but your ceiling won’t look perfect.
You can also remove the lights, terminate the wires at the junction box and then patch the ceiling (if you aren’t comfortable doing this yourself, you should hire an electrician).
Dated lighting fixtures / fans
If your living room has a ceiling fan or a dated fixture as the main lighting for the room, it can make the whole space feel dreary. Swapping this out will instantly elevate your living room.
Combination fan / ceiling lights reached their height of popularity in the 80s – 90s. While those clunky versions have been replaced sleeker modern options, ceiling fans just don’t look good in living rooms. Your best option is to replace your ceiling fan with a piece of statement lighting.
The same goes for dated fixtures like “boob” lights or fluorescent box lighting.
If you live in an old house, be prepared to find unpleasant surprises when replacing dated lights or fans. We’ve certainly had a lot of those!
Improper lighting placement
When installing hardwired fixtures like sconces or ceiling lights, you’ll want to consider whether you want to keep your current furniture arrangement long term.
For example, in the picture below, those sconces may have initially flanked a large mirror or piece of artwork with a sideboard beneath them. However, they don’t work high above this couch. This living room would be better served if the couch had two side tables with lamps next to it.
If you’d like to add sconces to your living room without the commitment of hardwiring them, you can buy cordless sconces with rechargeable batteries.
Using the wrong toned light bulbs
Cool-toned light bulbs emit a bluish, daylight-like hue (typically in the 5000K–6500K range) and are therefore often too harsh for living rooms, which are meant to be warm, inviting, and relaxing.
Cool light can make colors appear washed out and skin tones look pallid, giving the room an unwelcoming or overly bright feel.
For living rooms, opt for warm white or soft white light bulbs, usually in the 2700K–3000K range. These bulbs emit a golden, inviting glow that enhances the colors in your décor, flatters skin tones, and supports a more relaxing mood.
Selecting the lighting with the wrong scale
Selecting lighting with the wrong scale can really throw off the proportions of a space. A general rule is that the bottom of your light fixture should be around 7 ft off the ground. If you have taller ceilings, you can accommodate larger lights in your room.
How to properly layer lighting in your living room
Now that you know what mistakes to avoid when it comes to living room lighting design, let’s talk about how to get it right using these layered lighting tips.
In a professionally designed living room, overhead lighting, wall lights, and floor and table lamps are used to create layers, depth, and warmth that elevate the entire space. Interior designers often use these lighting elements to define zones, highlight architectural features, and create visual balance.
Select one statement piece of lighting
Start by selecting one statement piece of overhead lighting that is proper scale for your living room and is generally centered above the seating area. This is probably the piece you want to allocate the largest portion of your budget to.
Decide where to place wall lighting
Wall lighting such as picture lights and sconces can be used to highlight artwork or architectural features in your space. If you aren’t ready to commit to hardwiring, there are plenty of cordless options you can utilize. I’ve had excellent luck purchasing high-end sconces open box for a fraction of the cost. Amazon also has some great low cost options.
Add floor and table lamps
A tall floor lamp can visually anchor a reading nook or a banquette, while a pair of table lamps on a console table or placed on side tables creates symmetry in your space.
Choose lamps with interesting silhouettes, rich materials like ceramic or brass, and shades that diffuse light for a warm, ambient glow. Mixing lamp heights and styles adds a curated feel.
Remember, you aren’t stuck with the shades or finials that come with the lamp. These are both easy swaps if you want to change up the style of your space from time to time. Custom lampshades are a fairly easy DIY, but if that’s not your thing, Etsy has an incredible selection to choose from.
When it comes to purchasing lamps, secondhand is the way to go if you want beautiful and unique options without breaking the bank.
I’ve linked some living room lighting for you to shop below. If you’ve enjoyed this post, I’ve shared similar home decor posts below the shopping section for you to read next.
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