Your living room is probably one of the most used spaces in your home. It’s where you kick back after a long day at work, get stuck into a book, watch TV, and hang out with friends and family. As the living room is a space with so many purposes, getting your lighting right is so important. That’s where layered lighting comes in. It can transform your living room into a balanced space that’s ready for any activity. Using layered lighting isn’t reserved for grand spaces only; it’s the perfect way to help you maximize small and large living rooms. Keep reading to find out how to use layered lighting to get the most out of your living room.
What Is Layered Lighting?
As the name suggests, layered lighting is when more than one light is used to create atmosphere and improve the function of a room. Ideally, each layer of light has a purpose and helps to make a room feel balanced and comfortable. Layered lighting helps create mood, depth, and adaptability, depending on what you’re using your living room for.
There are three main types of lighting you should think about when layering:
· Ambient lighting – provides general lighting for the room through the likes of central ceiling lights or recessed lights. This is the base layer that brightens the room without annoying shadows or glare.
· Task lighting – delivers focused lighting for activities like reading, provided by table and floor lamps. These lights give an additional layer that makes tasks easier without straining your eyes.
· Accent lighting – helps highlight certain features, such as art, architecture, or shelving, through picture, strip, and sconce light styles. These lights help set the mood, make a room feel warm, and act as a point of interest within the room.
In a multi-purpose room like the living room, where relaxing, entertaining, reading, and watching TV happen, layered light sets the space up for whatever activity it’s needed for. Being able to choose what light you need, whether that’s bright illumination or something softer, means it’s easy to switch things up.
Living Room Layered Lighting Guide
Here are our top tips for making layered lighting work for your living room:
· Think About the Functionality of Your Space
Having a clear idea about how you and your family members use the living room can help you figure out where ambient, task, and accent lighting will work the best in the space. Reading, watching TV, playing games, entertaining, and relaxing can all benefit from a different type of lighting.
For example, if you’re reading, you’ll need decent task lighting. For a night in front of the TV, dimmable, indirect light can save you from pesky glare. Entertaining guests calls for atmosphere, which accent lighting can help you achieve. For family game night, general ambient lighting is a practical choice.
· Take Living Room Zones into Account
Whether your living room is big or small, different areas of it likely serve different purposes. You might have a primary TV watching area. For families, it’s common for children to have their play space in the living room as well. Identifying which zones your living room has will let you light each one appropriately. For watching TV, soft, ambient lighting is best, and for children’s play areas, a mix of ceiling and wall lights is best to keep the space well-lit and safe.
· Don’t Forget About Dimmable Options
Being able to adjust the level of light in the living room can make layered lighting work for you, depending on what you’re using the space for. Dimmers let you adjust the brightness easily, helping you to set the mood, depending on whether you want bright light or something softer for relaxing or watching TV.
· Bulb Color, Temperature, and Type are Important
When layering lighting in the living room, the color temperature of your bulbs is critical. Warm white bulbs are perfect for the living room as they create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. Cool white bulbs are also popular in homes, but they can feel too harsh and clinical in the living room. Whichever your personal preference, make sure your bulb color matches across all your lights for a cohesive look.
· Avoid Glare
There are many reflective surfaces in the living room, from the TV screen, mirrors, glass surfaces, and tables. When layering multiple types of light, glare and reflections are a risk. Still, they can be avoided by angling lights away from shiny surfaces, using shades to soften light, and placing lights to the side of reflective surfaces, like mirrors, rather than above them.
Common Living Room Layered Lighting Mistakes To Avoid
To get the most out of living room layered lighting, don’t:
- Mix and match your bulbs’ color temperatures
- Rely on just one central light
- Position fixtures in unusual places
- Forget about dimmable lighting options
Living rooms were made for layered lighting. Whatever you’re using your space for, layered lighting can help set the tone and complement the space’s function. The tips above can help you achieve flawless lighting that works for you.
