Choosing the Right Lamp for Your Living Room
The significance of having the appropriate lighting is paramount when completing any job, as it allows an increase in effectiveness as well as provides an atmosphere in any area. Lighting in the living room is no exception. Whether spending time together with friends and family, or taking some alone time with a great book, the right lighting can bring cosiness to any living room and make it more welcoming.
Lamps are a hassle-free technique of altering the lighting in your space to your liking. Selecting the correct lighting fixtures can rapidly enhance the atmosphere and ambiance of a house. According to Allison Ruda, an experienced interior designer, choosing light fixtures is a great opportunity to showcase your individual taste.
The type of lamp you choose depends on what your requirements are. Taking a few minutes to look into the lamp before grabbing the first one that draws your attention can be beneficial in ensuring your choice will both satisfy your taste and offer appropriate lighting. This thorough tutorial will take a look at all the different types of lamps used in a living room and which is suitable for the most favorable outcome so that you can purchase with surety.
Buying Considerations for Lamps
Space
Take into consideration the amount of room you have prior to buying something. Can you manage to squeeze the big ceramic table lamp onto your little side table? If you are looking for a floor lamp, check the surrounding area to make sure there is sufficient clearance so that the lamp can function properly.
Size
The dimensions of the lamp are as crucial as how much room is accessible. Ruda emphasizes that for successful planning, there are more factors than just the surface area that needs to be taken into account, particularly how big or wide the area is. Pick lamps that are appropriate for the size of the room. Ruda notes that the dimensions of the lamp can also depend on its purpose. A floor lamp situated in a corner of a space should be of considerable height, while a floor lamp adjacent to a comfy chair for reading ought to be within easy reach to switch it on. Consider the aim of your lighting fixture, determine what would be ideal, and then look for something that would fit the proper size (and design) for your requirements.
It makes sense that bigger lamps produce more illumination than smaller lamps, although the wattage of the bulb will also have an effect on the amount of light given out. The form of the lamp and any accompanying shades should also be taken into account when making a purchase (although sometimes shades are bought separately). Lamp shades that are angled upward spread the light out more than ones that are angled downward. It is imperative to contemplate this with the purpose of the lamp in view.
Features
Some lamps have useful characteristics to meet your lighting needs, like integrated dimmers and 3-way bulbs. Dimmers are excellent for places where it is desired to have both atmosphere lighting and regular lighting. The lamp can be adjusted to provide bright lighting overall, or toned down to a gentle, soothing glow for a peaceful or homely ambiance. 3-way lamps offer a similar service, providing three different light levels. These lamps are largely geared towards providing general lighting rather than setting an ambiance.
Types of Lamps
Table Lamps
Console and side tables can be brought to life with the addition of a table lamp. They perch atop these pieces of furniture and shed light on the areas surrounding them. This lamp type is great for illuminating a couch or seat close to a table. They can be used to create a subtle luminosity in a room as opposed to intense or intense illumination.
Floor Lamps
Living room lighting often includes floor lamps that are used to brighten up big furniture pieces like couches or cozy nooks. No stand or table is required for these lights since they are high enough to be put directly on the ground. These are perfect to put around or behind furniture pieces, for instance behind a seat for reading or beside a couch.
Task Lamps
Task lighting fixtures provide strong, focused light which is used to do a specific job that needs a large area illuminated and for small details to be seen. Activities that require focusing on details such as reading, sewing, etc. are most efficiently done with a light specially designed for the task. Table lamps and floor lamps are both available as task lamps.
Cost
The cost of lamps varies greatly. A basic table lamp may be priced anyplace from $10 to $60, while a more decorative one that is made with pricier components could be worth $200 or more. The same thing holds true for both floor lamps and task lamps. The cost of the lamp varies depending on the materials used and the features it possesses.
It is especially favorable to purchase lamps at the end of the calendar year or around Christmas. Stores often hold sales during these times. Alternatively, take a look at secondhand stores near you. Sometimes you can get lamps here at a lower cost than if you were buying them brand new.
Living Room Lighting Ideas
1. Add warmth with a wash of lighting.
Prior to purchasing any lighting, carefully consider the type of living space you are going to outfit it to. Rohan Blacker, founder of lighting company Pooky, wonders if the living room is meant to be more formal or a space used for casual family activities.
Rohan suggested that one should consider the overall look of the room. He proposed using multiple lighting elements such as lamps, pendant lights and wall fixtures in different finishes to establish an attractive style.
He claims that compared to other areas in a home, living rooms have the main purpose of offering familiarity, peace, and a feeling of warmth which can be further improved by lighting.
Begin by suspending pendants of different lengths such as the Otis ceiling lights, at £30 apiece, accessible from Iconic Lights to create a visually interesting look. You can hang them over a centerpiece, such as a sideboard. Next, select a table lamp in a similar style to create a harmonious appearance.
2. Swap out your old lightbulbs for ‘smart’ versions.
Five years ago, we would have advised replacing the traditional light switch with a dimmer as a clever way to give yourself control over the brightness of the living room lights. These days, you can easily replace your standard lightbulbs with smart versions for the same result (with even more features).
Peter Legg, design & brand manager of där Lighting Group and The Light Shade Studio, cautions not to be taken in by the fascinations of smart lighting and multi-colored lamps. Utilize smart light bulbs in your existing fixtures to be able to adjust the brightness or turn off the lights and design various “themes” through the app. It might take you a little bit of time at first to arrange the scenes, but you will be very happy with the results once it is done.
Start out by purchasing a starter bundle from Philips Hue on Amazon. The package includes two lights and you can hook up as many as fifty lights throughout your dwelling. If your intelligent lighting has been connected to a virtual assistant, you can switch them on and off, as well as alter the luminosity using voice commands. You can also arrange a timetable and create atmosphere based on the purpose of the room.
3. Introduce a soft glow.
Peter Legg, from Dar Lighting Group and The Light Shade Studio, emphatically states that the correct lighting can make any interior design stand out or be forgettable. The best option to create a comfortable atmosphere in a living room is to use layered, gentle lighting.
Hazy illumination from bamboo or rattan light fixtures creates interesting silhouettes near the ground and brings a mellow, inviting ambiance to the area.
4. Echo natural light with natural fabrics.
Select a lamp base made of natural material to bring texture to your room, like this Palmer wood floor lamp from Next. The arrangement of the balls in a pile provides a pleasant visual, while the neutral hue coordinates with the curtains and cushions to form a pacifying, unified look.
Try to avoid cold white lightbulbs. Rohan Blacker from Pooky agrees. Consider using a gentle warm yellow or white light, as opposed to a plain white one, and use a dimmer to reach the optimal amount of light.
No shock that a hearth is perceived as the warmest spot in one’s home – the illumination radiating from the flames is focused, cushioned, and highlighted, and the hue and power of the light is perfect.
5. Keep surfaces clear (but don’t lose out on light).
Get rid of any mess that’s on your desk– this is very important if there’s a desk in your living room– and put up a practical wall light above it.
Rohan from Pooky is a fan of wall lights. He notes that they are an additional option alongside overhead, table, and floor lamps, and can be subtle, aesthetic, and very handy if you do not have a lot of space.
Rohan continued to state that the lights were stunning when used either as background or accent lighting. They are useful for performing activities and can create a powerful aesthetic effect.
6. Make a feature of inset shelving.
The more different light sources you have available, the more possibilities there are to set a particular atmosphere. According to Rohan from Pooky, grouping together several lamps is a fantastic way to make a statement in an alcove or on a mantle.
Peter Legg, from Dar Lighting Group, concurs that the table lamps should remain dim. ‘Pleated fabric shares are really trending right now. Utilizing bulbs with minimal wattage will enable you to develop layers of light, which will produce various feelings in the room, depending on when it is or what is going on.
7. Choose different lighting from a co-ordinating range.
Even if your ceilings are not very high, you can still have an impressive pendant light suspended. Designer Sarah Gare suggests that you may still be able to have a chandelier as a focal point in the room. She recommends hanging it above a sofa or coffee table as these areas don’t have any obstructions and don’t require a certain height. I would also suggest adding lights in the ceiling that point in a certain direction as well as a lamp on the floor or on the table.
This transparent group design is especially sharp – its transparency lets you to catch a glimpse of any wallpaper design through it.
8. Complement your interior scheme.
It is not necessary for lighting features to draw attention to themselves. It is not mandatory to have bright shades and big pendants as the idea of illumination of the living area.
Peter Legg from Dar Lighting Group suggests that when selecting a lampshade, it would be beneficial to opt for a hue that is present in the existing décor of the room or a shade that contrasts the current colors of the space.
Selecting a lamp which blends nicely with the colors in your living area, adding to the overall look without interfering. Utilizing frequently seen forms (whether totally straight or strangely twisted) will generate the same outcome.
9. Go for pattern on pattern.
If you have an ornamental wallpaper in your living room, it may be appealing to get an unpretentious wall lamp, or not to have any at all. This should be seen as a chance to add an extra element.
A wall sconce with a textured design can seem to have its own pattern, and will show off impressively even against the most intricate wallpapers. Ensure that you choose a non-descript shade as having too much color or pattern can be somewhat overbearing.
10. Lean into a theme.
A great way to create a uniform look in your living room without it being over-stylized is by picking a specific design concept and unifying it throughout the lighting. If you are looking for decorating ideas for a living room located near the coast, you might want to merge together hues of enamel with classic Fishermans pendants made of glass.
By blending various textures and forms, the atmosphere in the space will be more comfortable and natural. Less show home and more authentically collected.
How to Choose a Lamp
Selecting a modern lamp could be an effortless and fast revamp for your sitting room. A few factors should be considered to find the lamp that is most appropriate for the room and your requirements.
What Do You Use the Lamp for Most?
It is essential to have the appropriate illumination for any activities that occur frequently in an area. It is critical to think about the reasons you need a lamp and the purpose it will mainly serve. Would you like to have a warm, comfortable light to brighten up your couch? Perhaps a floor lamp would be best. Are you in the market for a lamp to put beside your reading seat? A task lamp may be a good fit.
How Much Space Do You Have?
You need to take into account what amount of room you have. Remember to factor in the dimensions of the surface when selecting a table lamp. It is important to ensure that even though the lamp may be the right size, there is still enough room to put down items such as objects, drinks, or books. Pick a lamp that is the correct size for the table. The same goes for floor lamps. Even if an adjustable desk lamp with an angled arm looks pleasing, it might not fit into a cramped corner area. It is always wise to take the dimensions of your area into account before you buy a lamp for it.
Where to Buy a Lamp
Numerous stores offer lamps for the living area, ranging greatly in design and cost. Shopping sites like Wayfair and Joss & Main, which focus on home decor, are quite well known. Amazon is another online shopping destination with many lamps.
If you’re in the market for a lamp, home goods stores such as Bed, Bath & Beyond, IKEA, and Pottery Barn can provide you with plenty of options, whether you’re shopping online or in person. Furthermore, Home Depot and Lowe’s, amongst others, typically offer a wide range of products for home improvement.
