What to consider when planning lighting in the living room?
The lighting in the largest room can be decorated using a chic chandelier. But before you think about the design, you should consider some points:
- Dark places will appear in the corners of the ceiling if there is only one chandelier or other lighting device in the center of the living room.
- There must be at least two light sources, otherwise it will be quite dark in such a spacious room.
- The chandelier can be hung above the dining table or above the place where they study correspondence or do creative work.
- To create a local lighting zone, you can use spotlights.
- The light in the living room should be soft, preferably warm rather than cold in tone.
- Spot lighting looks perfect on a multi-level ceiling in the living room.
The variety of shapes, the number of lamps and the choice of places for their installation play an important role in the design decision.
How to choose lighting fixtures
The choice of lighting fixtures is determined by the design style of the entire room. At the same time, the design and power of the luminaires must be taken into account. To ensure harmonious lighting, it is recommended to purchase floor lamps for a living room with rich tones to make the interior light and relaxed. When choosing a chandelier, you need to pay attention to the fact that the light from it is not directed directly, but is scattered throughout the apartment.
It is best to select the same light for all devices that will be installed in the same room.
Where to place the switches
It is imperative to take into account the location of the switches, that is, before performing work, they should be indicated in the project. No more than 4 switches are enough for all devices, otherwise it will not be convenient to control the light. For a large living room, it is worth using several switches for one device; this will ensure lighting control from any point.
Switch installation options:
- at the entrance;
- within the recreation area;
- next to the computer;
- by the sofa.
Most often, switches are installed near the door at a distance of 90 cm from the floor; from the door itself it should be at least 10 cm.
Modern sconces in the interior, 30 photos
Cozy modern sconces are a great way to add an elegant touch that will complete your interior like the icing on the cake. Unlike a large chandelier or floor lamp, they provide soft and warm light. Typically, wall lights are used to enhance the lighting of a specific area in a room or to zone a room. Using wall sconces, you can also highlight various decorative items: sculptures, paintings, mirrors or flowerpots.
If you are looking for a simple yet elegant way to decorate your room, we present you with several options for placing wall lights.
Black wall lamps can create a favorable and light atmosphere in the room
Black lamps will look good in an office, bedroom or living room. They subtly emphasize the design of the room and do not look flashy. When placing wall lights, do not forget about some tricks. To expand a narrow space in a bathroom or hallway, attach several sconces in one row. Lamps installed closer to the floor will help to achieve subdued lighting and create a mysterious atmosphere in the room.
Wall sconces are also suitable for street lighting
Sconces can also be used for additional lighting outside the room. They are a universal light source, so they can be mounted on any vertical surface. When choosing street lighting, pay attention to style, brightness and purpose. Wall lamps should fit into the main lighting composition and not draw attention to themselves.
Photo: unusual wall sconces in the interior
Closed sconces give soft light and do not shine too brightly. Most often they are hung on the walls in the bedroom, where dim light helps you quickly relax and fall asleep. As a rule, the lamp is installed next to the dressing table or bed.
Wooden sconces can be used in classic and modern interiors
The most important advantage of wall lamps made of natural wood is the environmental friendliness of the material. You can easily install such a lamp even in a children’s room, as it is completely safe for health. In addition, wood is strong and durable.
High-tech sconce - a work of modern art
Wall lamps occupy a special place in the interior, as they are excellent wall decor. Sconces can be made of fabric, metal, plastic, crystal or glass. When choosing wall lamps, remember - they must be made in the same style and be in harmony with each other. For your interior, you can choose sconces in the TopSvet online store: low prices and a wide range will pleasantly surprise you.
Correctly selected sconces in a classic style can give a lot of aesthetic pleasure
Sconces perfectly highlight any objects in the interior
The natural look of a sconce made of wood will add comfort to any interior.
Hi-tech sconce is a universal lighting option for both apartments and offices
Loft-style sconces look great against brick or concrete walls
A sconce for the bathroom will not only help illuminate the room, but also give a special character to the interior.
Chrome sconces can easily fit into any interior color scheme
Wooden Bathroom Wall Lights
Corner sconces are a convenient type of room lighting
Photo: sconce lamps in the living room
High-quality lighting: wall lamps will help to illuminate the steps of the stairs a little
The most popular placement of lamps in the bathroom
Classic sconces will never go out of style
You can highlight the modern interior of the living room with the help of sconces of an unusual shape.
Cute Animal Wall Lights in Nursery
Great idea for lighting your personal office
Sconce over the bed in the bedroom is a real highlight in interior design
LED wall lights
Pair of sconces for a baroque style bathroom
Sconces give the bedroom the necessary dim lighting
Wall lamps with a red bottle fit perfectly into the interior of the room
Unusual models of sconces in the hallway
Wall lamps will help achieve harmonious lighting in the living room
Photo: alleideen.com
We have:
Unusual DIY cloud lamp
Office lighting - how to preserve both eye health and the beauty of the interior
How to make a lamp from a bottle with your own hands, 27 photos
Solar garden lanterns (photo)
DIY concrete lamps
Types of lighting
Lighting in the interior is conventionally divided into general, local, decorative and special. You can provide one of the options in the project, as well as several at the same time, the main thing is not to overdo it. All types of lighting in one room can be achieved using different types of devices.
General
The lighting design in the living room to create a large space is selected using lamps of several designs. The lighting is combined. Chandeliers, spotlights or LED strip are used. General lighting of a room is when you need to illuminate all areas of the room and there is no need to highlight special zones.
Sources of general lighting include chandeliers and surface-mounted lamp models; the latter are quite compact and are mounted directly to the ceiling in rooms with low wall heights. Spotlights and LED strips have become the most popular and are successfully replacing massive chandeliers and shades.
When creating combined lighting, a solution to use several lighting devices would be acceptable.
Local
Lighting for the living room is complemented by floor, wall units or a table lamp. The design in the hall is created using these light sources. These devices create bright light at certain points in space: above a desk, sofa or other places.
Related article: Apartment lighting: organization, placement options and new ideas | +90 photos
Lighting also plays the role of decoration, so a room can be instantly transformed from ordinary to more interesting, depending on the activities chosen by the owners. It is better to think about the placement of lamps in advance. In the relaxation area you can put floor lamps or table lamps, and hang sconces on the wall.
Decorative
Living room areas can be illuminated using decorative lighting. This way you can create the effect of increasing space and focus on certain places. It would be good to create lighting in a modern style and focus attention on paintings, niches in the wall, original figurines, and an aquarium.
Illumination in the living room is provided by neon lamps, flexible lamps and LED strips.
Special
Light in a hall or living room is often classified as special. In this case, spot lighting is used when it is necessary to highlight several important elements of the living room decor. Lamps of this type can be located on the ceiling and also serve as auxiliary lighting.
Point spots can be rotating, then you can redirect light radiation at different angles, which will ensure the creation of scenery. Mixed lighting using several types of lamps will saturate the interior with many shining lights.
Types of spotlights
If we talk about appearance, then, in addition to round ones, there are models of square, oval and non-standard shapes. It is convenient to classify spotlights according to the place of attachment:
- Built-in. Such lighting fixtures decorate suspended and suspended ceilings, walls and stairs. They require lamps with a minimum heating level so as not to damage the base.
Recessed spotlights Source pegasus-pro.si
- Invoices (external). There are wall and ceiling; the structure is fixed with screws, the light flow is distributed by the diffuser of the outer housing.
The larger the model, the lower the ceiling appears Source www.zumaline.ru
- Furniture. Mortise and overlay spot models help illuminate furniture fronts, work surfaces, as well as the interior space of shelves and drawers.
Shelf lighting Source imarket.by
- Hanging. Such spotlights take up more space in the interior, since installation is carried out on special mounts, and the device remains visible. Many hanging models are equipped with a rotating mechanism.
Suspended spots in the bedroom interior Source amazon.fr
Built-in ceiling models, in turn, differ in the type of installation:
- Models for installation in rigid suspended structures (plasterboard, plastic panels, slatted ceilings); equipped with two fastening clips.
- Models for suspended ceilings. In this case, installation is carried out using special brackets before the canvas is tensioned.
On a suspended ceiling Source kmr-82.ru
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in designing and performing lighting work of any complexity
Lighting options
Lighting depends on the area of the ceiling, the height of the living room walls and the style in which the interior is designed. If the apartment has a rather low ceiling, then bulky chandeliers should be abandoned. Additional lighting is created through the use of table lamps or floor lamps.
In a small living room
It has become popular to combine the kitchen and living room at the same time to make the area seem a little larger. Most often, such a layout is provided for in studio apartments. For a small living room, you can create zoning between the kitchen and the living room. A massive lamp placed above the kitchen table looks perfect. For general lighting, you can use a chandelier in the center of the room or spot spots around the perimeter.
A harmonious lighting solution in a small living room would be the use of floor lighting or floor lamps.
Without chandelier
Lighting using a large chandelier is not necessary, since its installation will take up a lot of living room space. A small number of lighting devices, which may include wall lamps, floor lamps, and table lamps, will be sufficient. As an alternative, it is better to use spotlights that are located around the perimeter of the ceiling.
Living room lighting without a chandelier looks no less impressive than with this device, as can be seen in the photo.
With chandelier
Lighting options in the living room using a chandelier are classic. When choosing this solution, you should take into account the size of the device, the dispersion of light and the definition of the area in the living room above which the installation will be made. The chandelier can be chosen in a classic or modern design. A dimmer can be used to regulate the brightness of the light and turn on the lamps.
Varieties of chandeliers
Lighting a living room without a chandelier is not a bad solution, but for those who pay tribute to this device, it is worth considering the following devices:
- Hanging. They are suspended from the ceiling on specially designed hooks, chains or cords. But for a small living room, choosing such chandeliers will not be a good solution.
- Ceiling. In a hall with a low wall height, this type of lamp would be an ideal design. They are fixed on a special bar and do not curl down.
- Classic. These are decorative and antique lighting fixtures, often found in modern apartments. They are made in eco- and modern styles, and can be crystal, forged or floral.
Lamps on the table
Ideas for lighting a living room divided into several areas involve the use of tabletop lighting fixtures. By using these lamps, you can achieve a good design solution in the living room, the main thing is to ensure that there is enough lighting from them.
Article on the topic: Features of lighting in the kitchen: what is it and how to organize it? (current ideas)
What should you consider when choosing tabletop appliances? First of all, technical characteristics such as power ratings, color and configuration. The design of the lamp should fit harmoniously into the interior of the living room.
In such devices it is better to use halogen, LED or fluorescent lamps rather than incandescent lamps.
Floor lamp
Lighting in the living room is a whole composition of several lighting fixtures. One of the convenient and mobile light sources can be a floor lamp. The device provides light dispersion and sets the direction of light rays from matte or mirror surfaces. The light distribution can be adjusted with a dimmer. The choice of color scheme and design solution for the living room arrangement is decided individually.
Sconce on the wall
Wall lighting should match the style of the room. Thus, sconces made of glass, crystal and gilded trim will fit perfectly into the classic style of the interior; for modern design it is better to choose more laconic forms of lamps made of metal or plastic.
Typically, sconces are placed above the seating areas; the number of lamps and the power of the lamps built into them depends on the size of the room. If the ceiling is low, then the direction of the light should be upward. For a divided zone, you should choose sconces with bright light. A dimmer light can be chosen to install above the sofa so that it does not dazzle the eyes.
An original solution would be to place modern spotlights with a rotating mechanism on the wall. Look at the photo, this is how unusual you can highlight the seating area in the living room.
Hanging lamp
On the Internet, in many photos you can see that lighting the living room includes the installation of pendant lamps. Installation of devices of this type is used in the dining table area. A living room decorated using such devices is comfortable and cozy. The choice of colors should correspond to design decisions. It is not advisable to choose a bright color; it is better to use pastel colors.
According to their design, pendant lamps are divided into ceiling, multi-lamp, double, in the form of balls and on cable or string systems.
On video: designing lighting in an apartment.
Lamps and sconces in modern interior design
There are many models of lamps, so you can safely select them to suit your interior design. For example, chandeliers with crystal pendants look great in a classic or modern style, but they are rarely suitable for minimalism.
Floor lamps are also suitable for classics ; they give the room some intimacy and privacy. The floor lamp can be used without even turning on the overhead light, which allows you to create a cozy corner in the lighting area. They are most often placed in the living room, but sconces .
Built-in lamps are installed in suspended ceilings and kitchen units; they provide a minimum of energy consumption with a large percentage of lighting. However, they are less elegant and can be used as a complement to the living room lighting, but not as the main one. Halogen lamps usually have directional light and are used as desk lamps in the office. They can also be matched to the interior style, as they have many shapes and modifications.
Sconces will be an excellent decoration for a living room or bedroom . They are often made simply as a work of art, and can create a special mood and be a true decoration of the interior. Such lamps take up minimal space, but can be the highlight of the interior due to their bright colors or unusual shape.
A simple design in the form of a bracket and a lampshade helps to use this form to decorate any interior, but models with lampshades attached to the wall are more suitable for a loft or minimalist style. They look quite strict and are not full of unnecessary details. Sconces are not only made of glass and plastic, but may contain metal parts, bamboo wood, textiles, so you need to choose a lamp depending on how it fits into the space.
Also find out what is the difference between laminate and parquet boards?
How to lay parquet boards on a concrete floor with your own hands: step-by-step instructions.
Proper priming of walls before wallpapering and plastering: https://tv-peredelka.ru/remont/wall/gruntovka-sten-pered-pokleykoy-oboev.html
Lamp options
There are many options for lamps - from spotlights to hanging and wall-mounted models. These devices can simultaneously illuminate the entire space or control each of them separately.
When choosing directly, it is recommended to take into account the design of the lamps; it is necessary that they be made in the same style. It is not recommended to use devices from different manufacturers and use more than four devices when lighting a small living room, otherwise there will be no harmony.
Spotlights can be built-in and overhead, with a rotating mechanism and static.
This is what spotlights look like
Backlight
Illumination is performed using main lighting devices and additional ones manufactured by modern manufacturers. These can be built-in spotlights, LED strips, neon flexible devices like duralight. Backlighting provides illumination of the ceiling, walls, floor, as well as individual elements: paintings, figurines or beautiful things.
Ceiling
Ceiling lighting is usually created using lamps or chandeliers of various types. However, new ideas for illuminating the ceiling area involve the use of point devices with rotating functions, neon tubes, strips with LEDs and duralight strips. When choosing, you need to take into account that the light is the same color, since different colors negatively affect vision.
Stan
To illuminate the walls in the hall, it would be a good solution to use halogen lamps; lamps can be of different solutions. For this type of lighting, you can use wall decoration from LED strips, sconces or lamps with halogen lamps. It all depends on the intended design.
There is no need to hang a lot of lighting fixtures on the walls, otherwise there will be an overload; when there is a lot of light and it is reflected at different angles, it is difficult to be in such a room.
Paula
Floor lighting is provided by placing directional spotlights on the wall. The light hits the floor and ceiling at the same time. The number of lamps is selected taking into account the area of the living room, and their design depends on the style of the interior. A large number of light points can be placed at the very bottom of the walls or built directly into the baseboard body. LED floor lighting will also look original.
Related article: Organization of lighting in suspended ceilings: installation and ideas for different rooms | +70 photos
Layout diagrams of lamps on a suspended ceiling without a chandelier
How to place lamps on a suspended ceiling without a chandelier also depends on the style and its proportions. Sufficient lighting will require more bulbs and higher wattage.
Spot layouts can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical. Filling the central section of the stretch ceiling is optional.
It is even possible to evenly place spotlights over the entire area, although this is not the most successful way:
- two semicircles are the optimal way to illuminate a living room or nursery using only spotlights. By varying the power of the lamps and the bending radius of the arc, uniform illumination is achieved;
- cross-shaped arrangement is an original option, suitable for a room of any proportions and sizes.
The photo shows the arrangement of light bulbs on the suspended ceiling in the hall;
- wave or zigzags - relevant for rooms with complex configurations. This arrangement allows you to create lighting in all areas of a pentagonal, highly elongated room, kitchen or living room with a bay window;
- arbitrary grouping - spots are placed in the form of a combination of a circle and arcs, an oval and a circle, waves and a frame around the perimeter. A big plus of this option: the ability to select the lamp power depending on the zone;
- drawing - performs the same functions as grouping, but at the same time the spots form some kind of figure.
The photo shows spotlights for suspended ceilings in the living room interior.
When choosing a scheme, the general principle is followed: the work area should be as saturated with spots as possible, and in the recreation area, the decorative effect of the lamp is more important than its power.
Zoning with light
Since the living room is considered the largest room in the apartment, it is reasonable to divide it into several functional areas. This technique can be implemented not only with the help of properly arranged furniture and different wall colors, but also with the help of light.
Ideas for lighting a room divided for relaxation, receiving guests and work are different. For example, when combining a hall and a dining room, you should illuminate the dining area, the main thing is that the light does not hurt the eyes. You can provide a wall lighting solution near the sofa, and install a table lamp on the desktop.
Multi-level lighting
When the living room simultaneously performs several functions, then creating multi-level lighting is necessary. Each place must have its own lighting device. You can install a sconce or floor lamp near the sofa, and spotlights next to the acres. Creating multi-level ceilings will illuminate individual areas.
Artificial lighting should be as close as possible to natural lighting. It is better to make the light soft and not harsh on the eyes; you can use adjustment devices. When choosing lighting, it is imperative to take into account the tonality of the wallpaper and furniture.
List of recommendations:
- There is no need to place sconces in front of the TV.
- Lamps on the wall should be hung at a distance of 1.2-1.6 m from the floor.
- To create harmony, sconces are best used with paired light bulbs.
- Be sure to take into account the placement of furniture.
- When choosing this type of lighting, it is worth considering that the selected lamp models must be of the same design.
If there are niches, it is recommended to arrange directional lighting to create an imitation of windows, so the room will become more spacious.
Lighting in different styles
The choice of lighting should match the design of the room. You can use several devices at the same time, combined with each other. Their main purpose is to illuminate the room well and create comfort.
The main styles used in the living room interior:
- classical;
- minimalist;
- modern;
- high tech.
It is allowed to design lighting using lamps in different styles. This way you can achieve interesting effects.
Unusual lighting ideas
It is enough to select one or several types of lighting fixtures to achieve an unusual creative design. This is achieved by the placement and design solution of lighting devices:
- unusual arrangement of LED strips;
- the presence of built-in lamps in the ceiling;
- using spot systems;
- simultaneous use of several types of lamps.
With a multi-stage ceiling, each lighting segment must be placed at its own level. Placing the chandelier in the center will give you a working mood, and with the help of side light you can create coziness. Surface-mounted lamps will create a special color scheme and contrast, and LED lighting will make the room interesting. You can create the effect of a fairy tale or a stay at a resort, regardless of the price of lighting devices.
8 tips for choosing lighting design (1 video)
Various design possibilities (110 photos)
The best posts
- Types of ceiling lighting and design ideas for different rooms | +80 photos
- Lighting in the corridor: stylish solutions for large and small apartments (+62 photos)
- Organization of lighting in suspended ceilings: installation and ideas for different rooms | +70 photos
- Features of lighting in the kitchen: what is it and how to organize it? (current ideas)
- Choosing the optimal lighting for the bathroom [design ideas]
- LED lighting in the interior of an apartment: pros and cons (types of devices)
- Organization of lighting on the balcony: fresh ideas, preparation and installation
- Lighting for indoor flowers: selection, features and types of lamps
Lighting in the living room with suspended ceilings
According to its texture, a stretch ceiling can have a matte, glossy or satin surface, which will significantly affect its ability to reflect light. Therefore, for glossy ones, you can install pendant lamps with an upward flow; the light will still be reflected from the film and create soft, uniform lighting in the living room. Matte ones reflect light to a lesser extent, but a sufficiently powerful lamp can solve this problem.
Suspended, built-in, and ceiling-mounted lamp models are equally suitable for installation in suspended ceilings. However, please note that the lampshade close to the film should never heat up, otherwise the film will be deformed and tear. Therefore, it is better to avoid incandescent lamps or powerful halogen lamps.
A stretch ceiling can be effectively illuminated from the inside, providing a beautiful effect. Or install lighting in a plasterboard niche around the perimeter, under the ceiling plinth or in a box. If the living room has multi-level ceilings, the lighting of the niches can be arranged separately.
