Lamps for the living room - everything you should know before you decide on the one.

Lamps for the living room - how to choose the one and only one?

How to choose a lamp that will best match the style of our interior, highlight its greatest strengths, bring out its character, while fulfilling its most important role and illuminating the room in a way that is both practical and pleasing to the eye? Read our article and find out what to pay special attention to when choosing a lamp for the living room. And in addition to practical advice, we also have for you a lot of inspiration and suggestions for lamps for the living room, which we hope will steal your heart!

Lamps for the living room, and zoning and sectioning

Every apartment and every house is different. People with different tastes and needs live in them, and therefore there is no such thing as a universal recipe for a well-designed interior. A good clue and the first step that will help you in furnishing your home, as well as in choosing a lamp for your living room, is to determine the functional zones and sections into which you can divide your space. Among the zones we can distinguish:

• entrance area,
• a living zone with a relaxation zone,
• private area (with bedroom and host bathroom)
• dining area (combined with the kitchen or completely separate)
• work zone, etc.

The living room is the room that most often serves us as a relaxation area. A place where you relax after work, where you meet with your family, play board games with your children, listen to music, and where the heart of your home throbs. However, we do not always have such a large space that the living room can only serve a relaxing function. Sometimes we need to separate a work area or a dining area in it, with a family dining table. In large houses or modern apartments, the living room very often flows seamlessly into the kitchen, and in such cases, you should look at this open space as several separate zones.

Zones can be further divided into smaller sections (especially if you have a large space) such as a section with a comfortable sofa where you will watch your favorite TV series, a cozy reading corner, a decorative console with photos and souvenirs from your travels, a small coffee table, etc.

Why this is worth considering and what it has to do with choosing a lamp for the living room? It is at this stage - once you have determined the zones and sections in your living room - that you will be able to easily determine the number and type of lamps you will need to mark the distinct character of each section, while also taking into account its functions. After all, along with the color of the walls or the type of flooring, lamps are one of the best ways to emphasize the functional division of space.

Remember that when deciding on the choice and type of lamps for the living room, you have a choice:

• pendant lamps (including chandeliers, groups of pendant lamps, plafonds and ceiling lamps)
• floor standing lamps,
• table lamps and
• wall lamps and wall sconces.

When choosing lamps for the living room it is worth considering several types of lighting so that the space created in this way is interesting and visually attractive to the user, and at the same time practical. Remember, however, that floor lamps, table lamps or wall lamps, in addition to playing a practical role in certain sections, they can also have a purely decorative function and provide additional lighting points, which is extremely important if you want to be able to create an intimate atmosphere, conducive to rest and relaxation after a long day at work. More light sources also means more possibilities to adjust the light intensity to the current needs.

At this stage you should already know how many lamps you need. It's time to choose a specific type of lighting.

The main source of light in the living room - that is, which lamp for the living room to choose

A lamp in the center of the lounge area is an element that appears in almost every living room. Depending on how much space you have, how many sections you have divided the interior into and how many lamps will be in it, you can choose from several types of lamps available:

Pendant lamps - an option for almost any living room

The range of pendant lamps available on the market today is extremely wide. These lamps are offered in a wide range of colors, are made of various materials and in many types of finishes, and the number of models of lampshades and lampshades is practically countless. Most often, these lamps are attached to the ceiling on thin, almost invisible steel cables, as well as on wires wrapped in plastic or textile braid. Pendant lamp cables can be tightened or decoratively arranged, depending on the user's fancy.

Pendant lamp is a solution that will work especially in modern, spacious living rooms. Keep in mind, however, that a shade that is too small can make your living area underexposed. Consider the proportions, and if you do not have room for a large pendant lamp on a long cable, it is better to opt for a chandelier or other type of overhead lighting.

However, if the form of the chandelier does not suit you, and you have a large space, you may like the idea of arranging a group of pendant lamps (also available in versions on a strip or ceiling plate). Several lampshades will allow you to better illuminate a larger space, while easily maintaining the loft, minimalist or Scandinavian style of your interior. Remember, too, that if you opt for a pendant lamp whose shade directs the light downward, you have to reckon with the fact that the room will seem lower.

Chandeliers - the perfect choice for a large living room

The chandelier (whether in classic or modern style), like other lamps with several light sources, will be perfect for a room of both medium and large size. This type of lamp will also be an excellent choice for living rooms with mezzanine floors or those with raised ceilings. In addition, chandeliers, as well as other lamps in which the light is directed towards the ceiling, also make the interior appear taller.

Plafond - universal living room lighting

Plafond is this type of ceiling lamp, which is perfect for a low interior. If it is large, you can choose a larger diameter. It's also a great option if your living room is connected with other rooms - for example, the kitchen or corridor, and you feel like diversifying the arrangement by introducing different types of lamps, or you want to keep a uniform style by choosing such a collection of lamps, which includes both pendant lamps and plafonds.

Plafonds also have the fact that their shape and style is usually so universal that it is easy to choose a model that will fit into the chosen arrangement. In a word, it's always a safe option!

Ceiling lamp - central lighting for a modern or low living room

If your interior is relatively low and you don't have room for a long pendant lamp or a sprawling chandelier, but you're looking for something with more character than a plafond, you should consider choosing a low but interesting ceiling lamp. Lamp manufacturers have many models to offer that will satisfy even the most discriminating users. Among the ceiling lamps you will also find those that will fit the industrial style or lamps on slats with several movable shades, so you can direct the light in the desired direction.

Additional light sources in the living room - floor lamps and table lamps

If you want an intimate atmosphere in your living room, imagine turning off the main light source after darkness falls. Try to arrange the placement of floor and table lamps in such a way that no part of the living room is shrouded in complete darkness and you can still see the faces of those sitting on the sofa and armchairs, drinking tea at the coffee table or watching your favorite TV series. Plan the lighting so that in the main relaxation area of your home, you can freely... relax - even in semi-darkness.

Floor lamps for the living room - it is worth remembering them

Floor lamps will be an excellent additional source of light in the living room, while also serving a decorative function. These lamps are usually 150-180 cm high and will be perfect around a sofa, armchair or table, accompanying the occupants in reading, listening to music or evening conversations over a cup of tea. Standing lamps can be fitted with lampshades or shades that direct the light upward - and thus support the main lighting of the living room - or downward, with the latter serving mainly a decorative function. Many standing lamps also have the option of a cantilever or several movable shades, so you can even more precisely direct the light beam in the desired direction.

When choosing a standing lamp for the living room, it is worth paying attention to its base. If there are children or dogs in the house, choose a lamp that has a solid footing or one that won't tip over too easily due to an accidental knockdown. Many models of standing lamps for the living room, also have the additional function of a table or... a pot cover, which further increases their attractiveness and functionality.

Table lamps - a small thing, but happy!

An excellent option when it comes to lighting and, above all, decorating the living room are table lamps. These lamps are usually relatively undersized and consist of a decorative base and a textile lampshade or glass shade. You can place such a lamp on a console, windowsill, table, buffet or RTV cabinet and either solo or symmetrically - in a pair.

A table lamp is also a safe and relatively inexpensive way to change the character of an interior without a major overhaul or a comprehensive redesign. Suppose you have chosen a subdued color scheme for your interior, but it lacks the proverbial "claw" or you fancy a drop of color. In this case, just bet on a lamp with an energetic, contrasting lampshade, with a shiny base or an avant-garde shade, buy some matching couch pillows, one or two graphics in a similar style and... done. Your interior will gain a whole new character!

Lamp for living room in minimalist, classic or industrial style. How to choose a lamp to match the style of the interior

If you are wondering what living room lamp will work best for your interior, you need to know what style you want to decorate it in or what style it is already arranged in. Remember that the lamp is not a separate entity, but a very important part of an integral whole. There is no room for error here. The lamp in the living room must be the queen of the interior, and at the same time its crowning glory and the quintessence of the style in which it was decorated. If you know what style it is, check out its features and principles, or read our guide "Guide to lamps and styles - how to choose a lamp to match your interior style" and gain confidence that you won't make any mistakes.

Choosing a lamp for your living room? We have a handful of practical tips for you!

1. regardless of the size of the room, the pendant lamp should not be lower than 200 cm above the floor. This distance guarantees freedom of movement, allows to maintain proportions, and light sources do not irritate the eyes
2. some lamps have been equipped with light dimmers that allow you to easily adjust the intensity of the light to suit your needs, the time of day and year, and your mood
3. if you want as much light as possible in the living room, paint the ceiling white - it will act as a screen reflecting the light directed towards it and visually brighten the interior
4. if you want a cozy atmosphere in the living room, choose a light source with a warm color, although cold light is better suited to some types of arrangements. In general, however, follow the rule of thumb "the less Kelvin, the warmer the light" and the value that is considered best for rest is 2700 K
5. remember that the darker the walls in your living room, the greater the "loss" of light and the more powerful bulb you should use,
6. introducing different types of lamps into the living room will make a small room seem larger, and if your living room is narrow, take care to illuminate the longer wall more strongly - for example, using table or floor lamps

As you can see, there is no single recipe for a perfectly lit living room. Choose the style of the interior, think about how you rest, divide the interior into zones and choose such lamps that will steal your heart. And preferably a lot of lamps, because the right light - including atmospheric light - can completely change the way we perceive a space, how we perceive it and how we feel in it.