Lighting plays an important part in creating the right atmosphere in your living room. A well-chosen lamp provides practical light while adding character and style. At Copenhagen Home Design, you can explore lighting from Danish and international brands. Read on for living room lighting inspiration.
Light from above: choosing a pendant
The right pendant or ceiling light can help make your room feel welcoming. As well as lighting the space from above, a pendant can be a decorative feature that gives the interior character.
Which pendant or ceiling light should you choose?
Start with the size and layout of your room. In a large, open living room, a substantial pendant or chandelier can create a striking focal point. In a smaller space, a group of smaller pendants can provide an alternative with a lighter visual presence. Consider how each design distributes light rather than assuming one ceiling lamp will illuminate every corner.
Pictured: Nuura's Apiales 1 and Miira 6, and Thorup Copenhagen's Cluster 5.
Design matters too. A minimalist pendant can suit a streamlined interior, while a more decorative design can become a focal point. Materials such as metal, glass and marble each contribute a different expression to the room.
Also consider brightness and colour temperature. Soft, warm light can create a relaxed atmosphere. For reading and other tasks, look for enough well-directed light that feels comfortable to you. If you want adjustable brightness, check that the lamp, light source and dimmer are compatible; not every combination supports dimming.
Take time to explore the options and choose a pendant that works with both your interior and the way you use the room.
Floor lamps in the living room
Floor lamps add another layer of light and can be distinctive design elements in their own right. A lamp beside the sofa or armchair can provide light for reading or relaxing. Adjustable models let you direct light towards a particular area.
Combine floor lamps with ceiling or wall lights for a more varied lighting scheme. Instead of relying on one central source, you can illuminate the parts of the room you use.
Pictured: variations of Nuura's Blossi floor lamp. Explore our floor lamps for the current selection and finishes.
The lamp's materials help define its appearance. Repeating a material across different lights can tie the room together. Floor lamps can also be repositioned, allowing you to experiment with the layout and find a place that suits your needs.
Save floor space with wall lights
Wall lights are useful when floor or table space is limited. Place a suitable reading light near the sofa to create a comfortable corner, or use a directional spotlight to highlight a wall or artwork. Similar ideas can work beside a bed in the bedroom.
Pictured: Thorup Copenhagen's wall light, Design By Us' New Wave, and Nuura's Liila 7.
Choose a design that complements the rest of your room and consider the direction of its light. Some models cast light upwards or downwards, creating effects on the wall and drawing attention to architectural details.
Wall lights can therefore do more than save space: they can add depth and variation to your interior while providing useful light exactly where it is needed.
Table lamps for a welcoming atmosphere
A table lamp is both a practical light source and a decorative detail. On a side table, windowsill or shelf, it can create a cosy corner or bring attention to a particular part of the room.
When choosing table lamps, consider their scale in relation to the furniture and the room. A larger lamp can be a statement piece, while a smaller design may provide a more discreet accent. Shapes, colours and textures offer plenty of opportunities to express your personal style.
Pictured: Design By Us' Trip and Nuura's Blossi and Miira table lamps.
Combine table lamps with pendants, floor lamps and wall lights to create a balanced atmosphere. They can supplement the main light or provide a softer setting for a quiet evening with family and friends.
From minimalist designs to classic or more expressive shapes, choose a lamp that feels at home in your interior.
Bring your lighting together
Each type of lamp contributes something different. Combining pendants, floor lamps, wall lights and table lamps lets you build a lighting scheme that is both practical and personal.
Think about the room's size, your furniture and the activities that take place there. Experiment with contrasts between light and shadow, the direction of light and, where supported, brightness. The aim is to make lighting an integrated part of the interior rather than an afterthought.
Your needs may change throughout the day, from reading to relaxing or spending time together. Explore our lighting collection and home accessories to find combinations that suit your home.
For more guidance, read our guide to choosing a light source. You can also discover how distinctive handles can give your kitchen a personal touch.
