The presence of a family room with a linen sofa next to a small wooden table makes visitors feel at home. Lighting plays an important role after dusk falls in setting this atmosphere. The use of light with a good combination of an overhead lighting system with some lamps provides a sophisticated yet comfortable ambiance. Some simple decisions about the lighting fixtures can help accomplish this.
Home decor collections offer lighting fixtures for relaxed and sophisticated rooms. Lines such as the AERIN designer lighting collection at Visual Comfort pair classic shapes with a modern, easy style.
Soft Light Sets an Easy Mood
The warm and welcoming feel of the family room comes from having a couch, a coffee table, and some chairs arranged in the room. This arrangement receives light from multiple sources at various heights, giving a sense of balance and calmness in lighting. Designers refer to this as a layering of light where each of the lights illuminates a certain height. Kelvin is the unit of measure for the color of the bulbs, with lower values meaning warmer or yellowish light.
Overhead Fixtures Create a Gentle Base
Chandeliers Add Quiet Polish
Lighting can be provided by a chandelier above the coffee table, which makes the living room a focus area. Arms that are slender and smaller fabric shades help maintain a light appearance of the area. The dimmer switch helps reduce the light to make it softer when having movies with the family. Size requirements are determined by adding the length and width in feet to give inches for the fixture. Several designer ranges follow this soft approach; for example, the AERIN designer lighting collection at Visual Comfort, where chandeliers take airy forms. Before a purchase, homeowners can measure the floor area to confirm the right size.
Flush Mounts Suit Lower Rooms
A space with ceilings that measure eight feet tall may be suitable for the installation of a flush light above the main seating area. The flush light is attached directly to the ceiling without any chains or rods. Semi-flush lights hang a few inches away from the ceiling attached to a short rod. Glass diffusers or fabric pendants will help in spreading the light evenly around the area. This makes sure the space does not appear cluttered while giving it a sense of sophistication.
Lamps Add Comfort at Eye Level
Table lights by the sofa will provide a soft pool of light for reading a book or for conversation. Floor lamps illuminate those dark corners around an armchair or window area. In contrast, a slender brass floor lamp is ideal for use behind a wing-back chair. Lamps are also responsible for putting the illumination at eye level, which is a soothing effect once it gets dark. Pairs of matching lamps on a console table behind the sofa will bring a sophisticated order.
- Lamp shades made of linen or light silk tone down the bulb, resulting in a soft glow.
- Each shade should have its bottom level at the eye level of someone sitting on the sofa.
- A base, which is made of ceramic or glass and in pale colors, brings an attractive accent to a lamp.
- There is also an option to use three-way bulbs or plug-in dimmers on lamps.
Wall Sconces Frame Art Displays
The sconces on both sides of a fireplace set up the mantle piece in a soothing light. The picture lights hanging above the frames direct attention towards the colors or strokes in art. Sconces that are placed within the built-in shelves highlight vases and souvenirs. The plug-in variety is great for those living in rented accommodation without wires in their walls. These fixtures bring out the best in blank walls by giving them some depth without consuming extra floor space. The homeowners just need to mount sconces at a height of 60 inches from the floor.
Soft Finishes Keep the Look Calm
An effortless yet elegant appearance needs soft finishes. The antique brass or polished nickel complements the linen sofas and oak tables well. Shades in colors like cream or natural material provide soft light around the sofa area. For example, cream linen shades for brass bases go well with sofas made from oatmeal fabric. Finishes should be repeated across various fixtures to make sure everything looks cohesive. Here are some tips for making every finish soft in appearance.
- A tone from just one piece of metal in the chandelier will reverberate on the lamp bases nearby.
- Rattan or woven grass materials bring a natural texture into the décor.
- Softly colored glass and ceramic touches will give the room more color without overcrowding it.
- The matte surface of wall sconces will reduce any glare on the screens in the room.
Relaxed but elegant, the family room needs soft lighting at various levels. The basic lighting comes from the overhead fixture, while the lamps provide warm lighting in front of the sofa. Sconces illuminate the artwork and the fireplace mantelpiece with an accent glow. One good suggestion is to mount the overhead lighting fixture on a dimmer switch in order to quickly change the mood of the room when it gets dark.
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