How to Light a Living Room With No Overhead Lighting
Our living rooms are arguably the most important rooms in our homes. They're where we spend time with friends and family and relax after a hard day of work. The average person spends 4.4 hours per day or over 1600 hours per year in their living room, second only to the bedroom!
Well, if you spend so much time here, it's important to create the right atmosphere. Let's talk about how to light a living room with no overhead lighting to make your living area shine!
WHY YOU SHOULD AVOID OVERHEAD LIGHTING
Have you ever used the "big light" in the center of a room's ceiling for an extended period? Did it feel a little like a prison cell after a while? Here's the thing about lighting a room; if you have one light in the middle shining down from above, the light fades out as it reaches the walls and corners. This can create an illusion that a room is smaller than it actually is.
Moreover, overhead lights can be quite harsh. Even with recess lighting or more yellow-toned lighting, there's nothing to shade this light before it reaches your eyes. This makes overhead lighting too harsh for activities like movie night or other activities. Also, not every home has overhead lights! If you live in an apartment, there's no way to install them yourself without talking to the landlord. More importantly, why would you want to install overhead lighting with so many better lighting options at your disposal?
HOW TO LIGHT A LIVING ROOM WITH NO OVERHEAD LIGHTING
Now that you know why overhead lighting is a drag, we can figure out solutions. Here are some simple living room lighting ideas to brighten up your space!
DETERMINE THE ATMOSPHERE YOU WANT
What type of environment are you trying to build in your living space? Do you want it to be cozy, bright, or somewhere in between? Whatever your preference is, you can find lighting to help you build it!
Incandescent lights are the most popular type of lights, especially for more yellow-toned lighting. Just remember that these are the most expensive to run, and they don't last for very long.
LED lights are generally the best for longevity, efficiency, and overall price, saving an average of $225 per year on electricity. However, some LED lights can be quite harsh, so either use a lampshade or find softer lights. There are plenty of LED lights that mimic incandescent bulbs.
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DRAW MORE NATURAL LIGHT
There is no better light for our mental and physical health than sunlight. The best part is that it's free! To do this, you'll need to understand your apartment's floor plan, where the light comes in, and how it's currently reflecting. Try to maximize the natural light that you bring in during the daytime. This may include white mesh curtains, trimming tree branches or bushes, and cleaning the windows. Don't worry. There's no need to install another window. Work with what you have, and you'll see a remarkable difference.
REFLECT MORE LIGHT
Whether it's natural light or artificial light, the more light you reflect, the better. This is great for energy efficiency and brightening up your living spaces. Generally, the lighter the walls and the furniture, the better.
Dark-colored rooms absorb a lot of light, which can really darken your living space. White and light-colored walls are the best for keeping your living space as bright as possible, day and night.
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CHOOSE A LIGHTING STYLE
Lamps, string lights, rope lights, fairy lights, and so much more. There are so many options to choose from, and they're each perfect for different situations. For example, lamps are better for reading or brightening up an entire room, whereas string lights are better for creating a cozy atmosphere. For string lights, rope lights, or similar options, you won't need to drill into your wall. Most of these can use command strips or hooks that you can easily take off without damaging your walls. This makes it a perfect choice for apartment lighting!
DON'T FORGET THE CORNERS
Always have a plan for lighting the corners of your rooms. Brightening the corners creates the illusion of a bigger, more open area. Think about when you're outside during the daytime when everything is bright. If the walls all reflect an equal amount of light and there are no dark corners around, it will appear brighter and more open. Having a lamp in each corner is essential for opening up your space.
HAVE MULTIPLE OPTIONS
Sometimes you want to read, sometimes you want to extend the daylight during the dark winters, and sometimes you want to relax. All of these require different types of lighting.
Having these options available to you doesn't have to take up extra space at all, but they can dramatically change the mood of your room. For example, string lights or fairy lights are a great way to set a relaxing mood or transition to bedtime, whereas bright lamps are perfect for extending your perception of daytime.
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STAY LIT
Now that you know how to light a living room with no overhead lighting, put these tips to use today and brighten up your space. There are lighting options for every occasion and mood, so keep as many handy as you can for the best results. You'll be sure to impress your guests, no matter the occasion!
Moving to Columbus, Indiana? Check out our apartment community and our available units. Stay up to date with our latest apartment decorating ideas, and don't hesitate to contact us with any questions.