Tips for Living Room Lighting

Need the right lighting for a living room? There is a whole world of indoor lighting options for your living room that is waiting to be explored. Many homeowners overlook the type of lighting they want in their living rooms. It’s often an afterthought and yet it can make all the difference. The right lighting can highlight various features and enhance your home’s interior.

While many people think about incorporating one or two options for their living room lighting, interior designers suggest that you should consider even more for a multi-purpose living room. Some of the lighting options include wall lights, floor lights, table lamps and much more.

The lighting you choose for your living space should be determined by how you plan to use the room. For example, the lighting choice for an area of the room where you do a lot of reading or play board games will be different from the area where you watch TV.

Thinking about remodeling your living room? When designing your living room space, consider how you want to use each section of your living room. By having dedicated spaces for certain activities, you can have a good idea of how to incorporate different types of lighting that complements the design of your room. Knowing this can also help you make decisions on where electrical outlets should be positioned, which is something you can discuss with an electrician.Dimmers are an excellent choice because they allow you to adjust the brightness of the room according to your mood and time of day. Keep reading as we explore some room lighting ideas, the different types of lighting and how you can use each one to enhance your living room space.

Main Types of Lighting for Living Room

One of the advantages of modern technology is that there is a plethora of energy saving lighting options available on the market. Some of the most popular selections are:

• Accent

If you have a particular area in your living room that you would like to highlight like a piece of art, fireplace or some other decorative feature, accent lights are a perfect option. Accent lights are in the form of recessed lights that you can adjust them to spotlight a particular area. This can be installed into the ceiling or under cabinet shelves. The key to having effective accent lighting is to make sure that it is substantially brighter than the lighting in the areas surrounding the highlighted area. Accent lighting is also perfect for setting the tone or mood of a room.

• Ambient

These are often very beautiful lamps, chandeliers or ceiling lights that add warmth to the room and are designed to make a space more inviting. Ambient lighting is also referred to as general or background lighting.

• Decorative

These types of lights have a dual purpose. In addition to illuminating the room, these lights are also decorative features that add character to a room like table lamps and hanging pendants.

• Task

These lights are functional and are perfect when you need to perform a task that requires additional lighting like reading or writing by a desk.

Best Bulbs for Living Room Lights

Bulbs are available in different sizes and shapes that fall under four main categories.

1. LED Bulbs

These give off a very bright light but do not emit any heat. One of the great things about LED bulbs is that they are energy efficient and last a long time. Many of the modern bulbs are LED bulbs and come in a variety of colours.

2. Incandescent Bulbs

These are the most economical bulbs on the market. They are also the most predominant bulb types in older homes.

3. Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

These bulbs do not cost as much as LEDs and last longer than the incandescent bulbs.

4. Halogen

Halogen bulbs are energy efficient and are best installed underneath cabinet shelves or used as pendant lights. It’s important to note that they get quite hot and also do not last very long. So placement of these types of bulbs is very important. Avoid placing them close to material that can easily be ruined by heat emitted from these lights.

How to Control Living Room Lights

Deciding how you would like to control the lights in your living room is something you should think about before you hire an electrician. How you want to turn your lights on and off depends on your preference. You can have your lights controlled remotely using your smartphone or you can have traditional light switches where you turn the lights on and off on the wall.

While traditional light switches are the most affordable option, many homeowners opt for smart phone light controls for convenience. When considering which lighting control you want to incorporate in your home, think about your family‘s lifestyle.

Smart lighting is an excellent option because it allows you to control the lights from the convenience of your phone. Keep in mind that you do need to have an internet signal to be able to use this option. You’ll also need to have smart LED bulbs installed in your home to be able to respond to your smartphone. With this option, you can control the brightness and colour of your lights using your phone and turn them on and off.

Some of the living room lighting options available are marketed as DIY-friendly. By following the manufacturer’s instructions, you can assemble lamps and other movable lighting options. However, we strongly recommend you hire an electrician for more complex lighting options. It’s important that the electrician you hire is qualified and licensed. Not only can an experienced electrician help you with wiring and correctly installing light fixtures, he or she can help you design your lighting floor plan.

Mr. Potlight offers an array or breathtaking living room lighting options that will make your living room pop. We’re happy to help you make the right lighting choice for your home. Contact us today and one of our friendly team members will be happy to assist you.