How Many Lamps Should be There In a Living Room? (FAQs Answered)

Lamps are one way of improving the way a living room functions and making a statement to the users of the space. When it comes to the communal and collaborative space of the house, we tend to go the extra mile in terms of its design. Lighting is the key to making a huge difference to the entirety of the living room. It would be a good impression to put these decorative and detailed lamps to use. All you need to do is know how many are necessary and how can you style them the way you wanted to. 

How Many Lamps Are Necessary? 

On average, it takes two lamps on the opposite side of the couch used for ambient lighting to illuminate the space. The number of lamps that are necessary to illuminate the living room depends on the needs of the room. They are not the main source of lighting but works as task lighting. This means they work hand-in-hand with wall sconces, pendant lighting, and even a chandelier. 

The number of lamps that is necessary boils down to the activities done within the living space. The lamps and lighting fixtures do not mean they should match in design. As long as they have the same lighting color and intensity works in building the vibe of the environment of the living room. Having more than two lamps for the living room does not mean that it will come too bright. 

What are the Benefits of Having Lamps in the Living Room?

Having lamps in the living room comes in a variety of benefits which makes it the ideal lighting fixture to have. Lamps are commonly used in the bedroom because their composition goes beyond lighting but accentuates the design. Below is a list of benefits that come with having lamps in the living room. 

• Lamps are convenient to use. Compared to pendant lights, the switch of lamps is attached to the cable. 
• Lamps are designed to illuminate a particular area. It depends on the design of the lamp whether it directs the light downwards, upwards or both. 
• Lamps are ideal for soft lighting. It makes the light less disturbing for the other people in the room. They are often dimmed and in soft yellow color. It makes the room look warm and comforting indicating lamps are perfect for the living room. 
• Lamps are decorative. Their creative design keeps it a potential key design of the living room space. They create a perfect ambiance considering how they make the design cohesive and harmonious. 

How to Plan the Lighting of the Living Room?

The living room is the most functional space in the house. It is not just for entertainment or for housing guests. Instead, it is also for a variety of activities the household feels comfortable working in the living room. We have rounded up tips on how to plan the lighting of the living room. 

Measure the Area of the Room

In knowing how many lights are needed for the room, the area of the space should be measured. Use a measuring tape to do so and sketch the area of the living room on a piece of paper. It would be best to measure the space rather than assume the measurements. This can lead to inaccuracy and ineffective lighting in the living room. Always consider that lighting is direct and works at specified distances. Its intensity depends on how high or how long the ceilings would be. In addition, the intensity will also be dependent on the area of the living room to prevent putting too much or too little amount of lights. 

Compute for the Amount of Light Needed

The rule of thumb in the lighting of a living room requires 300 to 400 lumens per square meter. In order to have the number of lights required for the space, multiply the width by the length and by 1.5 (width x length x 1.5). This will equate to the total minimum wattage required for the living room. In fact, in any other space of the house. Regardless of the area of the living room, do not forget to consider the required visibility of the space according to the activities it hosts. Bear in mind the function of the living room. It requires both excellent and subtle visibility to achieve a warm and comfortable environment for the space. 

Identify the Location of the Pieces

Identifying the location of the lighting fixtures would suggest knowing the location of the pieces of furniture. Take a piece of paper and sketch the layout of the living room including the movable and immovable elements of the space. This will help you identify where to put the pendant lighting, wall sconces, and lamps. These fixtures will be directed towards points of the living room that requires the most amount of light. Always remember that the location depends on where the activities will take place in the living room space. 

How to Know the Number of Lights for the Space?

The number of lights in the living room depends on the dimensions, activities, and environment. It is important to know the dimensions to establish the room to be illuminated. In terms of knowing the activities, it will help you identify where light is needed most. From task lighting to ambient lighting, both are necessary to improve the living room functionality and aura. The environment you want to build for the space will help in knowing the number of lights alongside its color and intensity. We highly recommend computing for the area of the space and all else will follow. 

What to Look Out for in the Lighting Design of the Living Room? 

In the lighting design of the living room, you should watch out for the appliances such as television. We highly suggest distancing the lights from screens because it is a possible cause of glares that affect the visual and functional aspects of the entertainment area of the space. In addition, it would be best to create drama in terms of the color of the lights and the design of the lighting fixtures. Instead of opting for the standard design, spice it up a little by decorating with lamps along the conversation area and areas requiring direct lighting. 

What Lamps Never Go Out of Style? 

Lighting fixtures such as lamps pass the test of time. They look and remain effortlessly decorative in any room, especially in the living room. They are tagged as the one that never goes out of style even after years. Lamps come both decorative and functional that provide a grand solution to a problem. 

• Floor Lamp

Floor lamps are often seen in bedrooms. In fact, they can also look effortlessly perfect in the living room. They define the length of the space and have the ability to provide direct lighting while conducting activities. This is an ideal piece to fill the empty corners of the living room space with. 

• Table Lamp

Table lamps never go out of style in the bedroom. But, they are also ideal for side tables of the living room. This is perfect for reading, writing, or dim lighting. They are often come bent but it gives more room for being lit directly. 

Which is Better Between Floor Lamp and Table Lamp? 

Choosing between a floor lamp and a table lamp can be crucial if you have no plans of having both. But, which one is a better additional lighting fixture for the living room? If you prefer symmetry and balance to dominate the space, using table lamps will improve the visual impact of the space. If you are rooting for a lamp that is overhead when seated, a floor lamp is a key. Its height establishes 

How Tall Should a Floor Lamp Be? 

On average, the height of a floor lamp ranges from 57 to 65 inches tall. When seated, the bottom of the lampshade should be within or lower than one’s eye level. Even though there is a standard size for floor lamps, there are ones designed to be taller or shorter by a few inches. It is all about keeping its proportionate with the height of the seating furniture. We highly suggest having the height of the floor lamp within range of the other furniture. This way, it would not look too awkward. Ensure that it works alongside the different elements of the living room. 

What are the Types of Lighting Perfect for the Living Room? 

Layering the different types of lighting indicates both direct and subtle lighting. The objective is to take a hold of the different tasks in the living room. One type of lighting is not enough to make a difference in the entire design. We highly suggest combining colors and intensities to prevent making it too bright or too subtle for the living room space. 

Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting is also known as general lighting. It is the main source of lighting illuminating the room. The objective is to create a uniform distribution of light throughout the space. They are usually the ones hanging on the ceiling such as recessed and downward lighting. This includes floor lamps, wall sconces, and cove lighting. 

Task Lighting

Task lighting is known as a supplementary lighting type that illuminates a particular area of the living room. The perfect example would be cabinet lighting, track lighting, and even lamps. 

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting is also known as highlighting. They draw attention to a particular wall or object. This includes sculptures, artworks, and even bookcases. They may be often used outdoors but they can also work well for the living room to highlight the peak points of the space.