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Lighting Design Dilemma living room

What size light is best for our living room?

4 years ago

We‘ve purchased a new home and are trying to get some work done before move in: our new living room has no light fixtures. We want to install an overhead fixture (no a ceiling fan, even if we regret it), but we are worries of getting something to small and something that will call attention to 8 foot ceiling.

It is a north-ish facing room.

size 20’ x 15’ x 8’

We will also be repainting, trying to move away from so much gray.

Based on some Houzz reading I know overhead light shouldnt be only source, but how big should the fixture be?

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Comments (4)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Certainly not one center light.Why not get some pot lights any electrician can run lines for LED pot lights without making a mess. Use LED 4000k bulbs and 6 pot lights Then add the other layers of light with floor and table lamps
PRO
Brilliant! Lighting & Design
4 years ago
Agreed, the space is too large for one center light alone, even when using floor/table lamps.

Think about how you intend to use the space a bit before deciding on lighting layout. You may decide to treat the room in 2 zones, and allow lighting in each to be controlled separately.

When considering 'pot' lights, look at Lithonia LED Wafers for possible easier installation, available in 3"-8" diameters with fixed color temperatures or 'tunable' white. You might also decide to include some wall washers or art-oriented lighting. If you do use 'pot' lights, you could still incorporate 'feature' lighting - something to focus the eye, some fixture that brings you joy, adds some color, etc. and have that separately controlled as well, for another layer of lighting.
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PRO
RL Relocation LLC
4 years ago
I also agree, however there maybe a reason this was not already done. I would suggest recessed lighting in 3k, and one "pretty light" in the center. The scale of that and style should really follow the furniture placement and style. For now get an electrician out there and see what you are working with they will often give a package deal for installing a series of cans. Put one can on a directional eyeball with its own switch over the fireplace. and one switch for the center light.
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PRO
Shakuff
4 years ago
Our lighting could be a great addition to your home. We do custom lighting so we will be able to work to feed your needs and wants. Different amount/design/size of pendants, and size of canopy and overall fixture height etc. We also do 3D drawing before so you can have an idea of what it would look like before committing! Feel free to visit onhttps://shakuff.com/ or our instagram @shakuff_ :)
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