If you’re feeling the chill in the air as the season turns, you know it’s time to trade the long days outdoors for warming up inside. Nothing says warm and cozy like thoughtful lighting. Let’s take a look at 8 wall lighting ideas for the living room.
1. Create a Cozy Reading Space
Whether its a new book or an old book, you will be feeling all the fall vibes as you’re sidled up next to the glow of a reading lamp. Mounting your lighting on the wall keeps functionality while adding stateliness. As you can see from our Ferry View Project, the right light (in this case, a small tapered drum with nickel hardware) makes any reading nook like your own personal library. Throw in a plaid blanket and a tufted pillow to complete the look.
2. Use Living Room Wall Lighting to Highlight an Art Piece
If you’re an art enthusiast, or just plain good at decorating, you likely have a perfect piece (or two) on your living room walls. Try upgrading with lighting that highlights your art. A well placed gallery light ups the ambiance and makes evenings in the living room that much more desirable. Needless to say, the after dinner party wind down just got elevated.
3. Add Wall Lights as Decor
Wall lights don’t just need to be functional. They can also be a style statement all on their own. In our Seattle Sunset project, we used two beautiful lights to flank an artwork and center over a desk. If your living room walls are modern and dark (say a navy or a hunter green) wall lighting keeps the room well lit and welcoming. Choose a light fixture with more intricacies if you want to add interest.
4. Wall Lighting in the Entryway
Welcome guests into your home with a statement wall sconce. Choose a light fixture that sets the tone for the rest of your house. In our Ferry View project we chose a double wall sconce that gives a warm and bright welcome in a traditional and timeless style. Here is a friendly reminder that choosing the correct lightbulb temperature can make or break your look. Keep it warm and uniform!
5. Wet Bar, Dry Bar Wall Lighting
Now we are getting to the extra fun stuff! Upgrade your wet bar or dry bar with wall lighting that hits the mark. Designing a bar is the perfect place to take risks and go bold. If you have dramatic wallpaper, choose lighting that doesn’t compete. If you have a simpler backdrop, now is your time to pick an eye-catching fixture.
Photo Credit: construction2style
6. Pair Wall Lights to Create Symmetry
Don’t forget a basic style principle: symmetry. Pairing wall lights works well with matching side tables on either side of a long couch. Pro tip: if you are addicted to rearranging furniture, forego committing to one couch position. (This also applies in a bedroom over night stands).
Choosing wall lights over table lamps frees up table space and makes a subtle but unique style statement. If you want lights specific for readability or a dramatic mood, choose a spotlight wall light.
7. Highlight Your Fireplace
Set the mood over your fireplace mantle with dimmable wall lights. Whether its flanking a painting, a mirror, or beautiful stonework — the right wall light improves upon already great design. In our Ferry View project, we chose wall sconces that have a modern and traditional resonance. The white shades blend with the walls and keeps the fireplace the star of the show.
8. Frame Your TV with Wall Lighting
If your living room can double as a tv room, frame your screen with complementary wall light fixtures. Take a look at our West Bellevue project. We chose wall lights designed to keep the light close to the wall—hinting at an upscale theatre atmosphere. Perhaps you have a more modest set up, in which case you can choose wall light design that keeps pace with your style without overwhelming your tv.
Whatever your living room design goals are, you can always find the perfect wall lights to get you there. We love good design in all its expressions! Consider letting us help you make your vision tangible.