Living Room Lighting Guide For Home Extensions
When building a home extension to incorporate or enlarge your living room, choosing the right furniture and selecting the perfect colour palette are often at the top of people’s lists. unfortunately, lighting is often overlooked. A well-lit living room not only enhances the ambience of the space but also improves the overall functionality and energy efficiency of your home extension. We spend a lot of time in our living rooms, whether it’s watching TV, reading, relaxing or socialising, so getting the lighting just right is really important.
Types of Living Room Lighting
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting is the primary source of light in a room. It provides overall illumination, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. This type of lighting can be achieved through the use of ceiling-mounted fixtures, such as chandeliers or recessed lights.
For example, spotlights and downlighters are great for those seeking a more modern, minimalist feel. Spotlights and downlighters create a sleek look while not drawing attention to themselves. Best for people who want functional lighting that doesn’t make a statement in itself.
Ceiling lights tend to give the most even light across the whole room compared to other lighting styles. However, this can have its drawbacks as, if the light is particularly bright, it can make the room feel quite cold. To counter this, fit a dimmer switch with the light – this way you can control the brightness levels as you need to. Ceiling lights also have the advantage of being an eye-catching centrepiece for your room if you opt for stunning, aesthetically pleasing designs, such as a chandelier.
Task Lighting
Task lighting is intended to provide focused illumination for specific tasks, such as reading or working on a computer. It typically comes in the form of table lamps, floor lamps, or under-cabinet lighting in shelving or storage units.
For example, lamps can be used to create a sense of “zones”, but they’re more versatile as they can be moved and changed as needed. They come in different varieties such as table lamps and floor lamps, and can be focused to illuminate certain areas or tasks such as reading. Because lamps come in such a huge range of styles and colours, they can help to alter or complement the overall look of your living room.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting is used to highlight specific features of a room, such as artwork, architectural details, or decorative items. It is often achieved through the use of track lighting, recessed lighting, or wall sconces.
For example, wall lights are a great way to create “zones” in your room – perfect for open-plan spaces – and instil a warm, welcoming look. They work best when fitted above seating and in alcoves. Picture lights are another way to make wall lights work for your room since, as they illuminate artwork or photography, they also create a feature wall, as can lighting under shelves.
When thinking about what type of lighting to put in your living room and where to place it, consider the following tips:
Consider Natural Light
Integrate as much natural light as possible in your living room extension design. Floor-to-ceiling windows, skylights, and bi-fold doors allow ample natural light to enter the room, enhancing the overall ambience and reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day.
Layer Your Lighting
Layer your lighting sources to create a comfortable and inviting atmosphere in your living room extension. Combine ambient lighting with task and accent lighting to create a well-lit and versatile space.
Choose Energy-Efficient Lighting
Opt for energy-efficient lighting options to reduce your energy consumption and utility bills. LED and CFL bulbs are eco-friendly, durable, and long-lasting, making them an excellent choice for your living room extension.
Incorporate Dimmer Switches
Install dimmer switches to provide more control over the ambience of your living room extension. Dimming your lights can create a relaxing atmosphere and reduce energy usage.
If you aren’t sure how to make the most of your room lighting then you might want to consider consulting with a professional lighting designer to ensure that your living room extension lighting design meets all of your needs and complements your home’s style.
If you’re considering a London or West Midlands home extension to create a new living room space, Simply Extend would be delighted to help. We offer a complete design and build service. Contact us today on 0800 917 7571 to speak to our experts and for a no-obligation free quote.
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