9 Living Room Lighting Ideas That Will Always Work—Here's Why

Hang a Chandelier

If you're lucky enough to have high ceilings, take style notes from interior designer Sarah Sherman Samuel, and hang a statement chandelier. This lighting option is a foolproof way to create a focal point in your living room, and a modern mobile design (like the one pictured) sheds light while adding visual interest to your space.

When hanging a chandelier, a good rule of thumb is that the higher the ceiling, the taller your chandelier can be in proportion to your space. The folks at Wayfair recommend that, assuming you're working with a standard 8-foot ceiling, aim for a chandelier height between 20 - 24 inches.

West Elm Mobile Chandelier $399.00

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Plug in a Floor Lamp

While light fixtures like the aforementioned chandelier might require calling an electrician, floor lamps can be plugged into the outlets you already have, making them an ideal option for renters and homeowners who don't want to drill into drywall. Gain living room layout inspiration from Samuel, and place a floor lamp in a corner strategically within arm's reach of your couch for convenience. Floor lamps play both a functional and decorative role since they fall under the 'task lighting' category, illuminating everyday activities.

When choosing a floor lamp that best fits your style preferences, if you're going for a modern look, consider simple shapes and features, like a slim base and drum-shaped shades to avoid overpowering the décor throughout the rest of your space. On the other hand, shades with a tapered shape complement a traditional look.

Article Leap $99.00

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Place a Table Lamp on a Side Table

Table lamps can instantly brighten a living room as soon as they're plugged in. Opt for a design that doubles as a sculptural art piece to curate a stylish side table vignette, as Samuel demonstrates in the photo above. Table lamps also fall under the 'task lighting' category as they play a functional role in lighting up desk space or a reading area, and can also serve as mood lighting.

Additionally, if you're looking to add color and personality to your living room, a table lamp with a lamp shade in an unexpected color or a fun shape can accomplish this. Table lamps can spruce up other areas of the home, too. If you're working with less square footage, consider a table lamp in the dining room in lieu of ceiling lighting to create a café atmosphere. Or, try a lamp as part of bathroom décor for a whimsical touch. Alternatively, place a lamp on a window sill instead of candles to illuminate a room, or opt for a matching pair of tall table lamps above a fireplace instead of sconces.

Install a Pendant Lamp

For a fixture that'll blend seamlessly into your space, a pendant lamp offers all the convenience of overhead lighting with all the style of a decorative hanging light. If you're working with white walls and a relatively low ceiling, copy this living room designed by design firm Space Exploration, and hang a white pendant lamp to give the illusion of a larger space.

The fun part about pendant lighting (and well, lighting and décor in general) is that there are so many style options to choose from. For example, if you're partial to linear, bowl, or drum pendants, or dome, globe, or cylinder pendant lighting, the choice is up to you.

A few styling tips to consider: Bowl pendants work well in the kitchen or living room as primary or secondary lighting yet take more effort to keep dust-free, a globe pendant adds a soft yet practical touch of décor, and a number of cylinder pendants can serve as effective task lighting in high traffic areas in your home, brightening counters, the kitchen island, even your bedroom nightstand.

Euro Lighting Designs Nelson Saucer Pendant Lamp $395.00

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Opt for Sconces

Wall-mounted sconces are ideal for small living rooms with low ceilings that may not allow for hanging light fixtures. Rather than sacrificing precious square footage to floor lamps or side tables to house table lamps, install a pair of sconces, as interior designer Max Humphrey has above the fireplace here.

Renters: Sconces are an option for you too, just opt for plug-in versions. Target, Urban Outfitters, West Elm, and World Market are great places to shop for plug-in sconces. Alternatively, if you're planning to do any drilling and/or are working with tricky wall material like brick, we recommend consulting with an electrician.

Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co. Nova Sconce $269.00

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Choose Recessed Lighting

When you need lots of light that won't overwhelm a space (such as the living room), recessed lighting is a practical solution. They'll deliver a focused, downward-facing glow precisely where its needed. The experts at Light My Nest recommend investing in dimmers and separate switches for various light banks "to change the character and emphasis of a room's illumination," they write in a blog post.

Illuminate Art

Give your artwork the spotlight with its own lighting. Options range from picture lights to track lighting, ceiling-mounted accent lights (such as the one pictured) and more. Use picture lights on bookcases to highlight framed photographs and vignettes, too.

Add Decorative Lighting

Accent lighting is the cherry on top of your glowing sundae, adding texture, shape, and contrast to the room. Whether you opt for a sculptural sconce, a shimmering chandelier, or even an array of candles, decorative lighting can really amp up the mood and style factor of a room.

Layer Them All

Combine all elements above for a layered look that provide proper illumination for every setting. Here, metallic table lamps throughout the living room provide task lighting, while candles on the mantel and consoles throughout offer an ambient glow.