Living Room Lamps: Best Decorating Tips

Living room lamps can be placed to provide light to a dark room, or as a decorative accent. Before you purchase some living room lamps, however, it’s important to know how to decorate with them so that you can use the lighting to transform the look of your living space.  

From the many different styles of lamps available, as well as learning how to place them, there is much to know about the world of lamps.  Let’s look at some of the steps for decorating with lamps as well as the key factors associated with choosing the right lamps for your living room.

What are living room lamps?

Living room lamps are lighting fixtures designed specifically for use in the living room area of a home. They come in various styles, sizes, and designs, serving both functional and decorative purposes. Living room lamps provide ambient, task, or accent lighting, enhancing the overall aesthetics and functionality of the living space.

Types of Living Room Lamps

• Table Lamps: These lamps are typically placed on tables, nightstands, or other flat surfaces. They come in a wide variety of styles and sizes, making them versatile for both task and ambient lighting.
• Floor Lamps: Floor lamps stand on the floor and provide ambient or task lighting. They are often used to illuminate larger areas and can be a stylish addition to a room’s decor.
• Pendant Lamps: Pendant lamps are suspended from the ceiling and are often used for overhead lighting in dining areas, and kitchens, or as decorative lighting in various rooms. They come in various styles, from sleek and modern to more traditional designs.
• Chandeliers: Chandeliers are elaborate hanging light fixtures, usually with multiple arms and decorative elements. They are often used in formal dining rooms, entryways, or grand living spaces to create a stunning focal point.
• Wall Sconces: Wall sconces are mounted on walls and can provide both ambient and accent lighting. They are space-saving and come in various styles to complement a room’s decor.

Why Knowing About Living Room Lamp Lighting is Important

Before you purchase a lamp, it’s important to know about lamp lighting. Otherwise, you may purchase a lamp that doesn’t accomplish what you wanted it to do.

Common Living Room Lamps Purchasing Mistakes

• The lamp is too large for the space you have available.
• Does not provide enough light.
• The height could be too low, casting shadows around your living room.
• Does not fit the bulbs you would like to use.
• May not match the style of your living room.

In order to avoid these blunders when purchasing any lamps for your living room, it’s critical you follow a step-by-step process. This way you can ensure the living room lamps you end up with fit the space, your décor, and provide enough light.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Decorating with Living Room Lamps

Purchasing a new lamp is the best way to upgrade your living room with a simple purchase. We’ve devised a step-by-step process that will help you to purchase lamps that will provide enough light and suit your needs.

Each step has several parts that you need to consider as you shop for your living room lamp. By following the steps, you will avoid many of the common mistakes that can be made when purchasing a lamp.

Step 1: What Do You Need the Lamp For?

Before you can even think of selecting any lamps, you need to ask yourself what you need them for. If you are looking for a lamp for reading after dark, the amount of light it gives off will be the most important thing. You will want to find a lamp that is bright but can be adjusted and aimed at your page.

Maybe you already have a living room lamp but there is still a dark spot in the corner, therefore you may be looking for some additional lamps just for that area but they don’t need to be too powerful. Small tabletop lamps with shades will fill this need.

You could also be looking for living room lamps that give your living room a cozy glow on chilly winter evenings. In this case, a floor lamp behind your sofa would probably be the best option.

Once you finish deciding what the purpose and location of the lamps will be, it’s time to move on to the next step.

Step 2: How Much Space Do You Have?

In the previous step, you decided where you will be placing your lamp, and now it is time to measure that space.

Measure the Floor

Start by measuring the floor or table where you will set the lamp to give you an idea of how large of a base your lamp can have.

Measure the Height

Next, you need to measure the height. Some floor lamps are quite tall and if you have a slanted ceiling, you may be limited by height. Other living room lamps have lights that protrude from the top, which may take up more space than you expect.

As you measure, keep in mind whether or not you want to be able to walk by your lamp or not and take this into account.

Step 3: What is the Décor Style of Your Home?

You don’t want to bring home a lamp that doesn’t match anything in your living room, so take the time to catalog what you have and the style you are looking for.

For example, if you have a Boho-inspired design scheme, a rattan lamp may be the way to go. Or if you have an industrial-style living room, you will want an industrial-style lamp to go with it. Those who already have lots of metal in their living room may choose to match the current colors of metal with their future lamp.

If the lamp you plan to purchase will have a shade on it, you will also want to account for the color of the shade. A living room that is decorated with soft blues and deep purples may benefit from a light pink accent while a black lamp shade would fade into the background.

Step 4: What is Your Lamp Budget?

Lamps come in all different shapes and sizes meaning they come in all different prices too. Decide in advance how much you are willing to spend on your lamp.

It’s a good idea to come up with a price range, starting with the minimum amount you would like to spend. Then, develop a ceiling price or the top price you are willing to spend. You may even be willing to spend a little more on the perfect lamp.

Either way, write this amount down and confirm the decision before you head to the store.

Step 5: Where Will You Shop For Your Lamp?

There are many places to buy a lamp, some of which are online stores, and others where you need to go in person.

Flea markets or second-hand stores

These can be good places to find living room lamps for a low price, but they are often hit or miss with whether or not they have what you are looking for. Depending on the purpose you need the lamps for (as established in Step 1), going to a thrift store may not be an option.

Online stores

Another place to purchase living room lamps is online stores. They also tend to have the largest selection. Even if you are shopping on a website that also has a brick-and-mortar store, they will have a larger selection online.

The only problem with shopping at an online store is that sometimes the item in the picture can look different than it does in person. It can also be difficult to visualize the actual size of the item.

If you decide to buy your living room lamp online, it can be helpful to look at the measurements, and then use your tape measure in the area where you plan to put the lamp to help visualize it.

Brick-and-Mortar Stores

If the company you plan to purchase from has a brick-and-mortar store, consider making the drive to see the item in person before you purchase. Many of them offer same-day delivery too.

It can also be helpful to check the store’s return policy in the case that you purchase the lamp and end up not liking the way it looks when you put it in your home.

Key Considerations for Successfully Decorating with Living Room Lamps

There are a few considerations that weren’t covered in the step above, such as the light bulbs you plan to use in your lamp.

Type of Light Bulb Preference

Just like lamps, there are several different types of light bulbs. Many people have preferences, such as incandescent bulbs versus fluorescent ones. Those who are sensitive to light may even prefer sunlight bulbs that mimic the look of the sun in your home.

Function of Light Bulbs

Some light bulbs have options where they can be dimmed, or changed to different levels of lighting. These bulbs only work with lamps that are equipped with this function.

No matter what type of bulb you enjoy, ensure that the lamp you select will accommodate that bulb before you buy the lamp. Otherwise, you may end up with a lamp that doesn’t suit the purpose you purchased it for.

Taking it to the Next Level: How to Make Your Living Room Lamp Lighting the Focal Point of Your Space

You aren’t buying a lamp to hide it in the back of your living room, and there are many ways you can make it the focal point of the space.

Choose an Accent Lamp

Start by choosing a lamp that matches your color scheme, but also accents it. You can find this color by referencing the color wheel and choosing the color opposite of your main room color. If selecting a color isn’t enough, you can also choose a lamp that has bling, or other additions like fringe to draw attention to it.

Find an Antique or Unique Lamp

There is also the option when picking an accent piece to choose a living room lamp that looks a little out of place, such as an antique found at the local flea market. Whichever you choose, for this lamp to be the focal point it needs to be placed properly as well. Don’t hide it in the back of the room but display it proudly on a table, or the floor, for all to see.

Alternatives to Lamp Lighting for Your Living Room

Maybe you don’t have space for any living room lamps, and that’s okay. There are several alternatives to lamp lighting.

• You can start by purchasing a light fixture that affixes to the ceiling.
• Plan for your living room to be lit naturally by sunlight through a window or skylight. While it might be a bit dark at night, you could use a string of small lights to illuminate the space when it gets dark.
• There is a new option for lighting which involves purchasing furniture, like couches and side tables, with lights built in. These items can create a surreal and futuristic glow in your living room.

Living Room Lamps FAQ

Which Light is Best for the Living Room?

The living room is used for rest and relaxation, making warm white light the best decision for your living room lamp. Warm white light is anything between 2,700 and 3,300 Kelvin.

How Tall Should Living Room Lamps Be?

The exact height for a living room lamp will vary depending on the height of your ceilings, but a good rule of thumb is to purchase a lamp that has a shade that is at eye level when you are seated.

How Many Lamps Should Be In a Living Room?

The number of lamps you should have in your living room will depend on the size of the space. Small living rooms may only need one lamp to keep them illuminated, while a larger living room would need two to three lamps to achieve the same results.

Where is the Best Place to Put a Lamp in the Living Room?

The best place to put a lamp in your living room is in a dark corner that needs illumination. The only exception to this is when that dark corner is near the TV. Placing a lamp near the TV will cause awkward illumination that will make it difficult to enjoy your shows. In this case, placing your lamp in the next darkest corner opposite the tv is suggested.

In Conclusion

Selecting lamps for your living room may seem like a daunting task, but if you follow the outlined steps you’ll find yourself picking yours with ease. Whether you need a lamp to read by, or maybe just something to make your living room cozier, some nice living room lamps will do the trick.