Your Guide to Living Room Lighting

Whether you're reading a book, hosting friends and family, or simply unwinding after a long day, the right living room lighting can transform your space and set the perfect mood lighting. The best part? Sometimes, just small adjustments to your living room lighting can make a huge difference.

What should my main living room light be?
A statement pendant or chandelier is your primary light source and your focal point in one - the fitting that draws the eye as you walk into the room and sets the tone for everything around it.

Take, for instance, our Andromeda pendant light - a perfect example of how elegant living room lighting can combine style and practicality. With its elegantly simple form, swivel shade fittings, and an adjustable arm formation, it embodies both form and function. Additionally, by incorporating a dimmer switch with your primary light, you are able to modify the brightness of your lights depending on the mood you want to create.

How do I know what size pendant to choose for my living room?
Start with the room dimensions. A useful rule of thumb: add the length and width of the room in metres. The total gives you a rough guide for the chandelier’s diameter in centimetres. So, if your room is 4m by 5m, you’re looking at something around 90cm wide.

Ceiling height matters too. In a standard room (around 2.4m), a shorter drop and a lighter, more open shape, such as our Holt pendant, will always feel comfortable. If you have higher ceilings, you can afford to go longer and more sculptural; our Belle chandelier is the perfect example.

How do I create a warm and cosy living room with lighting? 
Layer three different types of light rather than relying on one overhead fitting -  warmth comes from multiple, lower-level light sources working together. Here's how to build that:

• Table lamps create  soft pools of light while also adding depth and a layer of warmth to your living room. In larger spaces, a pair of identical decorative table lamps on either side of the room creates balance, while a statement table lamp on a side table is a great choice for smaller spaces. Don’t be afraid to also mix pieces from different eras to create a transitional design. A contemporary table lamp on top of an antique cabinet for example layers materials to create a timeless and inviting feel.
• Floor lamps provide the perfect task lighting and add height and elegance to a room. One of our favourite ways to use a floor lamp is to position it behind a sofa or armchair, creating a dedicated cosy corner for reading. Choose a style that directs the light downwards, such as our Ezra floor lamp, featuring an adjustable light cowl which helps to concentrate the light and direct it towards a particular area.
• Wall lights are the finishing layer. Use them to draw attention to architectural features or artwork

Should living room lights be on a dimmer switch?
Yes. Each layer should be on a separate circuit with its own dimmer to allow you to dial each layer up or down as needed: full ambient and task light for practical activities during the day, lower ambient with accent lighting for an evening atmosphere

All Heathfield & Co products are compatible with dimming systems, provided the correct bulbs are used.