skip to main content

Home Decorating Lighting Design Dilemma

How to create an ambience with lights in my family room?

6 years ago

I love the play of lights here. I want to put recess lights in my family room and just love the ambience of this room. I have cathedral ceilings and my contractor is insisting that I use 6" LED recess. If I light all of them, my family room looks like a conference room. Would it be a big big mistake if i use 4" gimbals instead? I want a nice ambience and play of lights rather than a very bright room. Please help me as I have to make a decision soon! :)

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

gracie01 zone5 SW of Chicago
6 years ago
Put in a dimmer switch.
cawaps
6 years ago
Dimmers will definitely mitigate the risk of overlighting, but I don't know if they will get you to the effect in your inspiration pic. Are the 6" recessed fixtures the only lighting he's recommending? It is hard to tell from your inspiration pic, but it looks like there is uplighting on top of the stone fireplace surround, and possibly downlighting washing down the stone as well. If so, it was nicely done as there aren't any real "hot spots" as can sometimes happen.

The time of day might also be contributing to the effect in the pic. You can see high on the left wall a patch of sunlight through the high windows, and the trees in the distance are lit from the side--I think the pic was taken late in the day, which is making the room especially photogenic.
Related Discussions
Recessed Lighting Family Room Layout Advice!
Q
Comments (2)
Must politely disagree with davidr. I had recessed lighting in my large basement rec/family room in my previous home and it did a wonderful job keeping the room well lit. I think your plan looks pretty good, but it would be enhanced to also have lamps on side tables that would give you lower light when someone is just sitting and reading, or when you have a fire going and want softer, lower light. You can achieve this with wall sconces, too, but lamps give you more flexiblity and I prefer to leave the walls for art. The one thought I had on your layout is that it is not so good for people sitting and talking to each other as you are all awfully far away from each other! Perhaps moving the TV to the wall opposite the windows and the sofa to the TV spot and then bring the sofas inward off the walls a bit to create a cozier feel. The chairs could then also be moved around to face the TV if needed.
...See More
Should I put recessed lights in my 1931 Tudor family room?
Q
Comments (23)
Thank you both for the sample photos! I suppose one upside of recessed lighting would be it would highlight the beautiful plaster crown molding in the room. I was at the home today, and the ceilings are 8' 3". The light fixture in my pictures above is 24 in long, I'm hoping it can be flush mounted thereby eliminating the length of the chain. As Jan noted, there should be no head - banging in the room. :) To Jan and others, if I do find an appropriate light for the ceiling in the family room, would I want to mimic the original ceiling medallion above the dining room light? Below I have attached a photo of the dining room light, I'm thinking a medallion in the family room would be too matchy-matchy or out of place. I have also attached other angles of the family room in question, and as I've noted in a different post, I plan on going very brown with the floors in this room. Thank you everyone!
...See More
How to liven up my gray and dark brown decor in my family room
Q
Comments (6)
You need some yellow, lime green, peach sherbert, or dusty rose colors, maybe some rust or some terra cotta, ...And some sage green perhaps. Go get yourself some live flower arrangements, solid tones over a couple of weeks from the grocery or big box stores, and see what makes you happy? Than find you some toss pillows, pictures of rural or city scapes, maybe watercolors paintings? would add softness to the walls, and maybe a throw or 2, and see what happens? From there you might find some pretty window sheers with a very soft muted pattern in your most liked hues to cover the shutters and add some additional softness. https://www.wayfair.com/George-Oliver--City-Views-I-MultiPiece-Image-on-Wrapped-Canvas-GOLV2725-L1318-K~GOLV2725.html?refid=GX248928943619-GOLV2725_23818572&device=c&ptid=474119018077&network=g&targetid=pla-474119018077&channel=GooglePLA&ireid=62140174&fdid=1817&PiID%5B%5D=23818572&gclid=Cj0KCQjwz8bsBRC6ARIsAEyNnvq6Ya3WRI0ArXrPtOd9vi_LXHVvJLVj8JeB9-05WtuxlPSlpdzwsJMaAnIsEALw_wcB
...See More
How Do I Open Up My Family Room?
Q
Comments (7)
Measurements of the room would help. Could you get rid of the round white table and pull the sofa sideways towards the window? Then move both chairs to face the window. It would give you an L shape seating area. TV in the corner. Or put the sofa facing the window, pushed close to the fireplace area. And the 2 chairs with their backs to the entrance. TV in the corner again.
...See More
PRO
Anglophilia
6 years ago
I hate rooms where the only lighting is in the ceiling. Where are the lamps? Where are the end tables?
Olychick
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
If you want the lighting only for ambiance and not for general bright lighting, then I'd go with the smaller size. LED is a good idea because they have to be changed infrequently and you can get many different hues in LED now.

If you have any place in your room where you can hide rope lighting, it can add a wonderful glow.
I can't tell what exactly the fixture is, but I like how the light washes down the wall in this pic, along with the rope lighting in the tray ceiling. You could get a similar effect with sconces open at the top and bottom on the walls.

Related Stories

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: A New Family Room’s Natural Connection

By Becky Harris

Stone and wood plus earthy colors link a family room to its woodsy site and create a comfy gathering spot

LIVING ROOMS Room of the Day: Colorful Family Room With a Statement Fireplace

By Alex Treaster

In this modern room, the designer uses light, color and framing to create a dramatic yet comfortable gathering space

LIVING ROOMS Room of the Day: A Preppy-Meets-Farmhouse Family Room

By Becky Harris

A North Carolina interior designer creates a light, bright, comfy space for her family and its 5 pets

BEDROOMS Room of the Day: An Upstairs Suite Makes Room for Family

By Annie Thornton

Efficient space planning, increased storage and light finishes transform an underutilized second floor

DECORATING GUIDES Room of the Day: Adding Comfort and Style to a New Jersey Family Room

By Becky Harris

Layers of natural textures and pops of color help create a welcoming and cozy space for a couple and their baby

TRENDING NOW 4 Great Ideas From Popular Living Rooms and Family Rooms

By Becky Harris

These trending photos show how designers create living spaces with style, storage and comfortable seating

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: Warming to a Contemporary Family Room

By Jeannie Matteucci

Sleek lines and inviting textures and colors create a soothing, comfortable gathering place in San Francisco

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: Ohio Family Room Gets a Bold Costume Change

By Jess McBride

A designer creates a dramatic and personalized look for a friend, a retired movie costume designer

BEFORE AND AFTERS 5 Sophisticated Living Room and Family Room Makeovers

By Erin Carlyle

See how designers carefully selected colors and furnishings to create elegant living spaces

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: Contrasts Catch the Eye in a Beachy Family Room

By Becky Harris

Rough jute and soft shag, eye-popping turquoise amid neutrals ... this room’s pairings make each element stand out

Sponsored

Fine Designs & Interiors, Ltd.

28 Reviews

Columbus Leading Interior Designer - Best of Houzz 2014-2022

More Discussions

Feedback on spraying grasscloth with water repellant.

8

Help with bedding to match!

16

Unframed Canvas Pic Dilemma

6

What do I put on walls or mantle to help this space?

18

Help with Family/Living Room Furniture

2