How To Layer Lighting In Living Room: Top Designer Tips

Lighting is so important in any room! It’s an element of interior design that impacts the ambiance, functionality, and overall feel of the space. Layered lighting is one of the most effective strategies for achieving a well-lit, versatile, and inviting space. It’s literally a mood-changer!

Layered lighting combines multiple light sources at different levels to create a balanced and adaptable lighting scheme. The shape, style, and material of the light fixtures are a big part in styling your room too. So what are the best ways to layer lighting in a room?

Does it sound complicated? Today we’ll share all the best tips on how to layer lighting in a room. From the different types of lighting, their placement, and their purpose.

Table of Contents

What Are The Types of Lighting In A Room?

Layered lighting typically involves three main types of lighting: ambient, task, and accent. Each type of lighting has a purpose and, when combined, creates a flexible and well-lit space that can be used from daytime to evening.

Ambient Lighting

Purpose: Ambient lighting provides the general illumination of a room, using overhead light fixtures ensuring it is well-lit and comfortable.

Sources: Common sources of ambient lighting include overhead lights like chandeliers, pendant lights, recessed lighting, and large ceiling-mounted fixtures. When using ambient lighting, consider the size and shape of your living room.

A central chandelier for a room with high ceilings or a series of recessed lights can offer broad coverage. While dimmer switches can allow you to adjust the intensity to suit different moods and activities. For low ceilings flush mount lights are best for overhead fixtures.

Task Lighting

Purpose: Task lights are focused on specific areas where activities such as reading, working, and where specific tasks are taking place.

Sources: Desk lamps, floor lamps, and under-cabinet lights are typical sources of task lighting.

Position task lighting in areas where focused light is needed. For example, a floor lamp next to a reading chair, a desk lamp on a side table, or under-shelf lighting in built-in bookcases can provide targeted illumination without overpowering the room’s overall lighting scheme.

Accent Lighting

Purpose: Accent lights are used to highlight specific features or areas within a living room, such as artwork, architectural elements, or decorative objects.

Sources: Wall sconces, picture lights, track lighting, and LED strip lights are popular choices for accent lighting.

Use accent lighting to draw attention to focal points in the room. For instance, wall sconces can frame a fireplace, picture lights can illuminate artwork and architectural details. And LED strips can highlight the contours of a bookshelf or a feature wall.

How To Layer Lighting In Living Room

To achieve a well-balanced and layered lighting scheme in your living room, follow these steps:

1. Assess The Room’s Needs

Consider the natural light available in the room and identify areas that need additional illumination. Note the activities that take place in the living room, such as reading, entertaining, or watching TV, and determine the type of lighting required for each activity. Dark corners of the room will need extra lighting sources.

2. Plan The Layout

Sketch a layout of your living room, marking the positions of furniture, artwork, and architectural features. The hardwired lighting is priority for the early stages of the layout.

Plan where each type of lighting will be placed, ensuring a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting throughout the space. Plug in lighting like floor lights and table lamps you can get a good idea of placement but move around if needed.

3. Choosing The Fixtures

Select lighting fixtures that complement the style and décor of your living room. For a cohesive look, choose fixtures with similar finishes or design elements. Consider the scale of the fixtures to the size of the room and the furniture.

4. Install Dimmer Switches

If you’re able to install dimmer switches, it’s a good idea. Dimmers allow you to adjust the brightness of your lights, creating a versatile lighting environment.

Dimmer switches are particularly useful for ambient lighting, as they enable you to transition from bright, functional lighting to softer, more intimate lighting but it’s not a must!

5. Layer The Light Sources

Begin with ambient lighting to ensure the room is evenly lit. Add task lighting in specific areas where focused light is needed. Finally, incorporate accent lighting to highlight key features and create visual interest.

6. Consider The Bulbs

The type of bulbs you choose can significantly affect the ambiance of your living room. LED bulbs are energy-efficient and available in a range of color temperatures, from warm to cool. For a cozy and inviting atmosphere, opt for warm white bulbs. For task areas, brighter, cooler bulbs can provide better visibility.

Practical Examples

Here are some practical examples to illustrate how to layer lighting in a living room:

Reading Nook:

Ambient: Recessed ceiling lights provide overall illumination.
Task: A floor lamp with an adjustable arm placed next to the reading chair offers direct light for reading and to reduce eye strain.
Accent: A small table lamp on a side table adds a warm glow and highlights decorative objects.

Entertainment Area:

Ambient: A large pendant light or chandelier in the center of the room ensures even lighting.
Task: A table lamp on a side table provides light for activities such as playing games or reading.
Accent: LED strip lights behind the TV or a spotlight on a piece of art create visual interest and a cozy atmosphere.

General Living Space:

Ambient: A combination of spotlights and a central ceiling fixture covers the general lighting needs.
Task: A pair of matching table lamps on end tables flanking the sofa offer light for reading or other activities.
Accent: Wall sconces highlight a fireplace, and a picture light illuminates a piece of artwork above the mantel.

Designer Lighting Tips

Budget: When deciding your budget for your room or each area make sure your lighting is included. It’s totally up to you if you splurge or save on the lighting. It could be a good portion of the budget if it’s a statement light fixture or you might decide to spend a little less for general lighting.

Either way, there are different fixtures to get the look you want within your price range. Just don’t let the lighting be an afterthought.

Statement Lighting: For a focal point light make sure it’s the star of the room. The additional lights should complement it and provide enough light for activities and highlight decorative features.

Mix and Match: Every single fixture doesn’t have to be the same finish or style. Mix it up! Using different types of light fixtures and materials is a good way to keep things interesting. And you can mix metal finishes too.

How Much Light: The amount of lighting you need depends on the size of your room. The larger your room the more amount of light you’ll need and different light sources.

Lighting Roundups

Here are some lighting roundups you’ll find helpful:

Layering Lighting for Open Plan Room

For an open-plan room, different areas need to have enough light. But the entire space needs to be taken into account as well. The types of fixtures used in different areas, like above your dining table and in your kitchen area need to work together.

Each area should have a combination of different lights. For a dining area, this might be a main pendant light or a chandelier over the dining table. And a table light on a buffet or console table and wall sconces on the wall behind the table.

A kitchen area combination would be ceiling spotlights, integrated cabinet lighting, and pendant fixtures over the kitchen island. Every area has lighting layers within the open-plan space but the entire room works together as one.

Lighting Summary

Layered lighting can seem complicated at times, but remember to just keep it as simple as you can. The ceiling height is your deciding factor on the type of fixtures you choose.

Start with your main overhead lighting this might be a statement light you choose. And then work around that, adding in table and floor lamps and wall lighting if needed. And remember that sconce wall lights don’t have to be hardwired.

Even without dimmers in your room, you can still create a great lighting scheme that is effective. Creating an inviting, and visually appealing space. With thoughtful planning and execution, layered lighting can elevate your living room to new heights of comfort and style.

Chloe

This post contains some affiliate links which I may make a small commission from should you purchase something. For more information check out the disclosure and terms and conditions page.

How To Layer Lighting In Living Room: Top Designer Tips