Recessed lighting provides excellent overall illumination for a living room. These compact fixtures are great for lower ceilings as they don’t add additional depth. Recessed lights can be used as part of an overall lighting scheme that combines task and ambient lighting.
Deborah Bettcher of Decorating Den Interiors created a cozy country feel in this living room. Warm wood paneled ceilings and yellow walls with white trim are paired by with blue upholstered sofas. A semi-flush pendant combined with round recessed light fixtures completes out the look.
If you are cultivating a more traditional vibe, use trim to distinguish a soffit zone for your recessed lights like Kelly Taylor of Kelly Taylor Interior Design has in this interior. It makes the fixtures feel a bit more intentional, and you can always add a pendant or semi-flush fixture in the center above your seating area.
Additional Small Living Room Lighting Ideas!
This clean white living room integrates recessed fixtures until the soffit and built in millwork. The ceiling isn’t super high so the recessed lights give it a more expansive feel. Mostly neutral furnishings round out the bright interior.
White walls and recessed lights make this living room feel more expansive. It receives ample natural light during the day, so general overhead lighting feels uniform. When the sun goes down, crystal table lamps provide light for reading and atmosphere.
Patricia Davis Brown Designs didn’t shy away from color in this bold interior. A bright orange backs the millwork, paired with blue and green accents. The ceiling is covered with white wood slats, so recessed fixtures are the perfect choice. The design is bold but not too busy.
More Open Ceiling Lighting Ideas!
Jill Shevlin of Jill Shevlin Design created a transitional living room space that is high on style. Featuring wood beams and a coordinating fan, the ceiling is fitted with recessed fixtures. This keeps the focus on the exquisite artwork and cozy, refined furnishings.
Explore more Exposed Beam Lighting Ideas!
If you are cultivating a more traditional vibe, use trim to distinguish a soffit zone for your recessed lights like Kelly Taylor of Kelly Taylor Interior Design has in this interior. It makes the fixtures feel a bit more intentional, and you can always add a pendant or semi-flush fixture in the center above your seating area.
This light, bright living room by MC Design features an ornate chandelier above a dining table, but recessed lights do the heavy lifting in the space. Matching table lamps provide task lighting after the sun sets. The candelabra chandelier coordinates with the trim of the recessed fixtures.
More Living Room Chandelier Ideas!
This ultramodern interior features off-white tones that keep it from feeling too stark. A modern ceiling fan with built in light provides general lighting, combined with square recessed fixtures. A corner floor lamp and under-cabinet lighting create ambiance.
This high-rise condo features painted brick walls and concrete floors for an edgy vibe. A streamlined, modern ceiling fan keeps the space cool, while permitter recessed lights highlight the texture of the brick walls. Mix elements that are refined and rustic for an eclectic look.
Kristina Phillips Interior Design combined a modern pendant with recessed lighting in this cathedral ceiling space. The brass pendant coordinates with brass table lamps. This layered lighting scheme is a success and makes for an inviting living area.
Dark wood detailing, in the form of millwork, doors and stairs, gives this interior a mid century vibe. A modern, coordinating fan helps tie the look together. Clean ceilings with white recessed lights keep the focus on the architecture.
Sublime Homes went bold by painting the fireplace and millwork black and extending it to the ceiling beams, which also coordinate with the flooring. A black and brass pendant unites the ceiling area, and recessed fixtures fill in the gaps. Black and white is a dramatic yet timeless.
Elizabeth Ryan Interiors went for a subtle and sophisticated approach for this living room interior. Off-white and gray tones make for a soothing respite. A modern living room ceiling fan combined with recessed fixtures handles the overhead lighting load, while table and floor lamps provide ambience.
Discover additional Floor Lamp Living Room Ideas!
Kelly Designs crafted a cozy living room interior with built-in shelves around the fireplace. Even though the ceilings are low, the space is maximized to feel taller. Recessed ceiling lights help out by keeping the ceiling plane smooth.
Discover Low Ceiling Living Room Lighting Ideas!
This airy sunporch features ample natural light through a wall of windows and a skylight. White surfaces help to amplify it, in contrast to the texture of the brick wall. A simple white ceiling fan incorporates a light, and recessed fixtures fill in the balance.
Now that you’ve learned some new creative applications for recessed lighting in the living room, you are ready to tackle your own project. Pairing recessed lights with floor or table lamps as well as pendants and wall sconces creates a well-rounded lighting scheme. Happy decorating in your space!
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