Lighting is one of the aspects when decorating a living room that are considered insignificant. Although color schemes, furniture and decor might have the main recommendation; lighting brings it all together and makes your space magnificent. Proper lighting will set the tone, boost the functionality, not to mention that a small room will seem larger and more accepting.
Here, we will look at some living room lighting tips and ideas which are practical and stylish. Regardless of whether you are planning an entirely new layout or refreshing up your current one, being familiar with how to utilize lighting best will enable you to make the best of living rooms.
Also, referenced is expert advice given by renowned interior designers and by other reputable interior design websites such as Elle Decor and Architectural Digest.You may get more ideas about beautifying your space by just visiting Homewavey.
Why Living Room Lighting Matters
The living room is the most frequented areas in any given home. It can be used as a relaxing lounge, an entertaining house visitor, reading room, television and in some cases working area. Due to the multifunctional character, lighting in this room has to be the same versatile. One ceiling light or an under-lit lamp in the corner is not going to do the trick. Rather, mixtures of lighting types with ambient, task, and accent lighting are the key to a well balanced and versatile lighting scheme.
Lighting can have an incredible effect on the feel of a place, according to top interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard. The lighting is everything as he phrases it in an interview in Architectural Digest. It makes the air, drama and intrigue. When one gets the combination right, even the simplest living room may seem expensive and considered.
What is the purpose of ambient lighting in a room.
General lighting is the basis of any lighting system and is also known as ambient lighting. It gives general light that renders the room usable. The most frequently used sources of ambient lighting include the ceiling patterns, which include a chandelier, pendant lights, or a recessed lighting.
Selecting an overhead light fixture, think of the size and the style of your living room. A flush mount or semi flush installation will be adequate in a low or small room. Higher ceilings with larger rooms would allow the use of a chandelier or a pendant light to create a statement.
To prevent fierce shadows, it is useful to use dimmable bulbs or put dimmer switches. This provides you with convenience of adjusting the brightness depending on the time of the day or usage. As reported in Elle Decor, designer Amber Lewis says it is always good to use dimmers to make the place more welcoming. You also want to be in the position to control the light yourself. It must be set to your mood, not vise versa.”
You can also read Best Color Schemes for Modern Living Rooms: A Complete Guide
Where should you add task lighting in a home to improve functionality?
Task lighting refers to tasks specific lighting because it assists in reading, work, and hobbies. Task lighting is commonly used in the living room- and is obtained through floor, table lamps, and adjustable sconces.
Place a floor lamp near your reading seat or sofa, or place a table lamp on a side cabinet to provide light when you are in mood to read. or work on your laptop device. In case your living room is also a workspace or a play area, task lighting will enable those in need to use the space effectively without hurting their eyes.
A useful suggestion is to select those lamps that can be adjusted in brightness or directional. In this manner, you can control the light where it should be. Bobby Berk, who is one of the designers in the popular Netflix show Queer Eye underlines how lighting should be utilized both in terms of form and functionality. Task lighting may be decisive in the design philosophy because he does not want spaces to be merely beautiful but rather livable.
You may get more ideas about How to Choose the Perfect Sofa for Your Living Room
Use Accent Lighting to Create Depth
Accent lighting helps to give depth and personality to your living room.. It accentuates architecture, art, plants items or any other thing that you may be wishing to emphasise. This kind of light comprises of the wall sconce, picture light, LED strip, and spotlights.
A strategically positioned spot light can be used to bring attention to a piece of art work or a bookshelf and wall sconces can be used to make a focus to a fireplace or a mirror. The accent lights are not bright in general, and they are designed to add levels and evoke the atmosphere.
Architectural Digest explains that accentuating your living room space with accent lights in strategic places gives the room a well-thought-out design. It has the effect of attracting the eye through out the room and provides a good visual focus, particularly at night.
Make the Most of Natural Light
Though artificial lights are mandatory, it would be foolish to look at natural light in a light manner. A room that has a decent amount of light will feel open, light and vivacious throughout the daytime. Do the best you can towards natural lighting by sheers curtains without heavy drapes and a clean window without any obstruction.
Bounces of natural light You can also bounce the natural light of the reflective surfaces and a mirror and glass furniture and glossy finish.Hanging a big mirror in front of a window will reflect the light and it will have an illusion of a larger room and with more light.
Sheila Bridges, whose designs appear in Elle Decor, uses mirrors and reflective ed components in many designs to add extra light. The best and most flattering and dynamic source of light is natural light.You only have to learn to operate with it, she says.
You can read more about the space arrangement ideas on interior design blogs.
How does the color temperature of your bulbs affect the atmosphere of a room?
Not every light bulb is made up equally The temperature of the color of a bulb measured in Kelvins (K) can make a significant difference to the atmosphere of your living room. Lower does it Kelvin rating in bulbs, the better (2700K to 3000K), the more yellowish a light brings the relaxed mood. The blue light of cooler bulbs (4000k and — ) can be considered sterile and the bulbs can be uncomfortable in the family room.
Neutral and comfortable effect is achievable by landing in the range of warm white bulbs 2700K – 3000K.This approximates the mellow illumination of an incandescent light, and goes well with most color schemes
Embrace Smart Lighting for Flexibility
The systems of intelligent lighting sygnetized with contemporary houses allow the adjustment of the light level, the setting of any schedule as well as the selection of any color with a single touch of a control button or voice. Smart bulbs like Philips Hue or LIFX can be used in various moods and at different time of the day.
You may have a Relax mode with soft warm light in the evening, Focus with more the light in the back to read or work and a party mood with colored lights. The range of smart light allows you to enhance the convenience of the living room and improve its quality.
Conclusion
Lighting is not only a convenient necessity but an excellent design tool and can give a room a very attractive sense of design as well as an effect on the style, ambiance and nature of being. Optimization of the scheme through the coordination of various kinds of lighting, the appropriate selection of lighting devices and light sources, and by applying as much ambient light as possible, will completely transform your living room.Homewavey has a number of ideas for your interior and exterior designs to be beautiful
Find inspiration by taking notes on how other experienced interior design professionals such as Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Bobby Berk, and Sheila Bridges have used lighting plans and consult reputable sources like Elle Decor and Architectural Digest in getting your lighting plan down. No matter the size of your living room or how modern or traditional you want it to be, proper lighting will provide it with some spark either metaphorically, or quite literally.
Transforming the living room from simple to spectacular with some planning and creativity is something that can not only assist in decoration, but also on everyday life.
