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Gone are the days when living rooms were reserved for special occasions. Today, the living space can be used as a social centre for your home. You can curl up with a cup of coffee and an interesting book or magazine, watch some television, or entertain formally. Unlike the bathroom and kitchen where light fixtures are determined by the appliances and built-in furniture, the living room requires a more versatile lighting plan approach.

It is simply amazing how good and well planned lighting can transform an entire living space. What is more amazing is that it doesn’t have to be expensive. You simply apply a few tricks here and there and you won’t have to rob a bank.

When designing a lighting plan for the living room, it is important to consider the various activities that will be going on in there. General lighting will be ideal for watching TV and entertaining; task lighting for sewing; reading and such like activities; and accent lighting for plants, artwork, and interesting architectural features. Dimming controls are also good for the living room as they are easily customizable and you can design the lighting to suit each activity and mood.

General Lighting – as mentioned, ideal for social gatherings, watching TV, and listening to music needs to be around 10 foot-candles. If you have to perform visual tasks such as hobbies or reading, the lighting ambient level should be around 20 foot-candles to counter the extra task lighting.

Recessed Downlights – downlights basically accentuate floor surfaces and furniture. You can cluster down lights over conversation areas and further spread them out in between the regions; they aren’t limited to any single grid pattern.

Wall Lighting – basically, bright walls enhance the illusion of spaciousness. Maybe a medieval-looking candle wall sconce should be a consideration? You graze or wash the walls, light artwork, or in-built fluorescent lights found behind valances and fascias against the wall. To get the most even wash, consider recessed or track mounted wall washers of circa 2-3 inches from the wall and in similar distance apart.

Portables – portable lamps with dispersing shades add a warm and very friendly ambience. The light they illuminate is reflected in people’s faces thereby contributing to a comfy social environment.