For any space, a good choice of lights can greatly elevate the overall aesthetics and ambiance, and the living room is no exception. Therefore, finding the best lamps for living room means that you have found the decisive piece for a picture-perfect living space.
However, with so many lighting options of different designs and features coming out, picking the best lamps for living room has become more and more difficult. If you’re looking for your first living room lamp and want it to be the best choice, it’s time to do some serious research. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through all the factors that help in choosing a good living room light, as well as some recommendations that you can consider.
Buying the Best Lamps for Living Room: Things to Consider
Your Space
Obviously, a living room lamp is considered to be a statement piece only when it really suits your living space. Don’t just focus on how the lamp itself looks, but also how it blends with other elements of your living room.
If you want to choose a floor lamp, consider whether your space is large enough for it and other furniture while still ensuring the comfort in your daily living. A modern overhead light might be a good choice in highlighting your space, but is the ceiling high enough for it? Besides the factors directly related to the lights, it is essential to first understand your own living space.
Lamp Size and Design
The size and design of the lamp is another important factor that directly affects your choice of lamp. This, combined with the space available, will ultimately decide the aesthetics and harmony of your living space.
The function of the lamp is one of the main factors that determine its size. For example, floor lamps can come in different sizes depending on their intended use. Corner floor lamps are usually taller, whereas floor lamps for reading chairs are designed to fit within reach.
Besides, larger lamps also offer more light than small ones, so depending on your lighting needs, the size of the lamp can be changed accordingly.
Additionally, you should also pay attention to the shape and size of the light bulb, as they also directly affect the amount of light emitted. However, this is not too much of a problem, because you can easily purchase light bulbs of different wattages and shapes separately.
Features of the Lamp
Most modern floor lamps and many other overhead lights from interior designers, in general, do have many special features that cater to different lighting needs.
For those who desire both ambient lighting and general lighting for their living space, options with built-in dimmers are ideal. This feature provides adjustable lighting that can be set to maximum intensity for general lighting or dimmed to a calm, soft mode for a more relaxed or cozy vibe.
If general lighting is your priority, you can go for built-in 3-way options. The 3-way feature offers three different light intensities, which are designed to focus more on general lighting needs.
Types of Living Room Lamps
Table Lamps
Table lamps are often neatly designed to fit well into any space with side tables, consoles, or other pieces of furniture. As the name suggests, they are usually placed on the living room furniture for the purpose of highlighting that item, as well as illuminating the space around it. Table lamps generally offer a soft, gentle glow to the area, making them an attractive addition to your reading corner or desk in the living room. These lamps can be the ideal home decor pieces to subtly transform the look of your living space.
Floor Lamps
Floor lamps can provide bright light to larger areas of your living space, such as sofas, corners, etc. instead of small areas like table lamps. In recent years, the use of modern-style standing lamps in home decoration has become more and more popular. You can easily come across a variety of sleek black metal or steel floor lamps on the market. Floor lamps in general are designed to be tall enough (around 60 inches in height) to stand directly on the floor and still provide a lot of light to the room (partly depending on the type of light bulb used). Typical types of floor lamps include arc lamps, club lamps, swing arm lamps, tree lamps, torchieres, and more.
Overhead Lights
Overhead lights (or ceiling lights) are the best lamps for living rooms with large spaces. These lamps are attached to the ceiling, providing top-level lighting and illuminating a fixed area below. Often displayed in the middle of any space, overhead lights can create a vibrant light that matches perfectly with other design choices in the room, making them a prominent focal point in the space. Overhead lights can come in a variety of designs, including chandeliers, pendant lights, flush mounts, recessed lights, and ceiling fans with lights.
Cordless Lamps
Cordless lamps are the ideal option for living spaces with a limited amount of power outlets. These lamps don’t need to be in contact with a power source to illuminate, since they operate on a charging mechanism using a USB cable. With the rechargeable battery pack that is located in the lamp base, the cordless lamp is perfect for entryways or halls where convenient electrical outlets are not available. They can also be utilized to add a bit of accent lighting around pieces of furniture or a small corner in the room.
Most cordless lamps use LED bulbs, so they can be used for a long period of time without giving off too much heat. This trait makes lamps of this type a good choice for camping, emergencies, or a practical and decorative element around your living space.
Task Lamps
Task lamps are special lamps designed for visual tasks that require enhanced illumination of details. While your living room may already have some ambient light, there are several tasks such as reading, writing, working with the computer, or any task with small objects that still need the help of task lamps to add more light.
On the market, there are several types of floor lamps that are designed with the function of a task lamp. However, in general, task lamps are often found as desk lamps/table lamps. Typical desk lamps/table lamps nowadays come with adjustable task lighting, so you can direct the light in specific directions.
5 Best Lamps For Living Room
Solset Lamp
We did a review of Solset Lamp before, and we really appreciate the Solset SUNSET LAMP™ for how it can transform a boring living room into a cozy space.
Despite the minimalist design, the benefits that the SUNSET LAMP™ brings to your living room are amazing. Whatever vibe and atmosphere you’re looking for in your living space, the SUNSET LAMP™’s diverse lighting modes are there to offer. With millions of colors and tones to choose from, the SUNSET LAMP™ gives you full control of your living room.
Most importantly, a thing that makes this one of the best table lamps for living rooms is that everything can be done with just a few simple touches with the help of the SUNSET LAMP™ smart app. All you have to do is turn on the app and enjoy that warm and cozy vibes.
The SUNSET LAMP™ is currently available at $24.99, which is an amazing bargain for what it has to offer.
IKEA RANARP Series
IKEA has always been one of the top interior designers known for their affordability, stylish, and comfortable home decor products. When it comes to finding the best lamps for living room, IKEA is definitely a promising place to visit, and their IKEA RANARP Series is a prime example.
The RANARP Series comes in 12 different designs, including floor/reading lamps, pendant lamps/ceiling tracks, task lamps, and wall/clamp lights. With the aim of helping customers recall nostalgia, IKEA designed and crafted their RANARP lamps with vintage details like cables inspired by old textile-covered cords, retro steel joints, etc.
Although strongly inspired by nostalgic designs, RANARP lamps do not look cheap at all. Using black and white as the main color tone, IKEA has successfully made their RANARP Series super practical and chic, all at the same time. Besides, thanks to the high-end fabric-covered cords, customers are allowed to leave the cords exposed without worrying about affecting the aesthetics.
IKEA is offering their RANARP lamps from $22.00 to $65.00, so customers can shop easily according to their needs and budget.
Lumens FLOS Mod 265 Long Swing Arm Lamp
Designed and introduced in 2022 by designer Paolo Rizzatto, the Lumens FLOS Mod 265 Long Swing Arm Lamp is a clear testament to the permanence of the contemporary concept, especially in the modern context.
The FLOS Mod 265 comes in the form of a plug-in wall sconce, so customers don’t have to worry about cluttering up their walls for wiring. With a design that focuses on functionality, efficiency, and user-friendliness, all the fundamentals of a good lamp design are guaranteed.
The FLOS Mod 265’s steel arm features a 360-degree sweep head, which can be rotated easily via a tapered cast iron counterweight. Comes with a built-in dimmer and adjustable task light, this swing arm lamp can meet every lighting need, suitable for any professional yet relaxed lifestyle nowadays.
West Elm Staggered Glass 5-Light Floor Lamp
Looking to add a touch of contemporary elegance to your living room? The Staggered Glass 5-Light Floor Lamp from West Elm is definitely the best floor lamp for living room in this aspect. One of the standout features of this floor lamp is the five glass orbs that emit a romantic glow, creating a captivating ambiance.
The scattered globes, paired with the glossy base, give it a unique and modern look that effortlessly enhances the aesthetics of any space. The lamp’s airy stem adds to the contemporary feel, making it an eye-catching addition to your space.
The use of mixed materials, such as brass and milk glass, creates an Art Deco-inspired effect that exudes sophistication and style. The steel body in an Antique Brass finish adds a touch of luxury to the lamp’s overall look.
Practicality meets design with its plug-in feature and E12 socket, making installation a breeze. The clear PVC cord keeps things neat and tidy, ensuring the focus remains on the lamp’s elegant design. It accommodates five 40W incandescent bulbs or LED equivalents, which are included with the lamp. For added convenience, the lamp may be paired with dimmable smart bulbs (sold separately) to create the perfect lighting atmosphere for any occasion.
Trombetta Metal USB Table Cordless Lamp
Enhance your living space with the contemporary charm of the Trombetta Metal USB Table Cordless Lamp set. Standing at just under 18 inches tall, these petite accent lamps are the perfect choice for small rooms or tables with limited space. Crafted with a curvaceous body made from sleek black metal, these lamps exude a cool modern vibe that complements any interior.
Designed for convenience, the Trombetta Metal Table Lamps feature a touch switch and a built-in USB port on the base. With just a tap on the pole or base, you can easily turn the lamps on or off, eliminating the need to fumble with cords. The dual USB charging ports (5v/2.1a) provide added functionality, allowing you to charge two devices simultaneously, whether the lamps are on or off. Now, you can charge your mobile phones, tablets, speakers, and other electronic devices without the hassle of searching for available outlets.
The lamps’ linen blend drum shades softly diffuse the light, creating a warm and inviting ambiance in your space. Their compact size makes them one of the best cordless lamps for living room, especially for bedside tables or sofa side stands. Transform your bedroom, living room, or office into a cozy and relaxed environment with these elegant lamps.
Get the Best Lamps for Living Room Now!
In conclusion, choosing the best lamps for living room can truly transform the ambiance and functionality of your living room, and finding the best lamps is an essential step in achieving the perfect lighting balance.
Throughout this blog, we’ve delved into the considerations to keep in mind when purchasing a lamp, ensuring that your investment aligns with your unique needs and preferences.
We have also highlighted five of the best lamps suitable for living rooms. Each of these lamps boasts distinctive qualities, catering to various styles and requirements. However, your decision should ultimately align with your personal preferences, style, and overall interior theme.
May your living room shine brightly with the perfect lamp!