Living rooms and family rooms function as both a relaxing getaway for the family and a place to entertain guests. Create maximum flexibility and impact by carefully planning the lighting sources in this room. With multiple layers of light, you’ll be ready for game nights, quiet entertaining, reading or movie watching.
Did you know that there are 3 types of lighting? Here are the types along with a description of each.
1. Ambient Lighting – Overhead lighting in ceiling fan fixtures is a great way to illuminate your room. Ambient lighting creates a much softer and calmer look which is ideal for living rooms and creates a warm and inviting atmospheres for dinning rooms, hallways and bathrooms.
2. Task Lighting – This lighting illuminates the tasks at hand–reading, knitting, studying or playing games. If you have task areas where a lamp is not practical or desired, plan on a recessed spotlight. If the light is for a desk area or other element that may be rearranged in the future, be careful. It may be better to stick with a lamp that can be moved with the work area. Or you can strategically locate one or two additional spotlights where tasks may be located in the future, giving you flexibility in furniture arrangement.
Susan Goldstick Sienna Sara 23" Table Lamp
Another way to create flexibility is to place several spotlights 4 feet apart along the same wall. These lights should be located approximately 21 inches from the wall so that they’re directly over the work areas. If the light ends up being behind you as you work, your shadow will be cast over your work area. Also, being close to the wall, the light can bathe the wall, providing reflected light for the room.
3. Accent Lighting – Also called mood lighting, accent lighting is an important decorative touch for adding depth and interest to your living room. To begin, look at your accent lighting opportunities. In these areas, your recessed fixtures will typically be eye-ball lights that can be turned and pointed toward the wall or slightly downward to light a table-top display. Locate accent lights approximately 24 inches from the wall.
If the wall area you’re featuring is 36 inches or wider, plan on having multiple lights approximately 36 inches apart. For displays, plan on at least two lights 36 inches apart to keep from creating harsh shadows.
Here at Knobs, Hinges and More, we offer lighting for your living room, bathroom and kitchen. Furthermore, if you need some advice on what lighting would work best in your room, call us. We’d be happy to “shed some light” on your project!
