Lighting can completely change how a small living room feels. When done well, it can open up the space, soften the edges, and create a calm, balanced atmosphere.
The key is layering, combining a well-chosen ceiling light with softer, more subtle lighting around the room. It’s less about filling the space and more about choosing pieces that work together and feel considered. We sat down with our founder, Mara, to explore the core principles behind lighting a small living room.
Image credit: @kipandnook
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Do you recommend using overhead lighting in a small living room?
Industville founder Mara shares: "Overhead lighting provides essential brightness and helps the space feel larger and more open so we would always recommend using this as part of your small living room lighting and when planning lighting for a small living room. However, overhead light should never stand alone. It forms the ceiling of your lighting scheme, quite literally, but must be paired with ambient and accent lighting to avoid starkness or unwanted shadows.
Begin with a central pendant in proportion to the room. The right size will be dictated by the proportions of room you’re working with but keep in mind that anything too big may overwhelm or hang too low and anything too small may look unintentional. Pair with wall lights or low-level lamps to create illumination in corners and bring a softness that allows the room to breathe - an important part of how to light a small living room."
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Image credit: ©Joanna Kossak, Design: harringtonporter.com
What lighting styles would you recommend avoiding in a small living room?
“Avoid anything too angular or industrial as it may feel out of sync in modest spaces and can exaggerate the sharpness of tighter architectural features. Instead opt for fixtures with soft rounded edges and curves that will contribute to a sense of comfort and soften the space. Mirror these soft lines in furniture to create continuity and flow in the space, adding to an overall feeling of calm - an important consideration when choosing small living room light fixtures or light fixtures for small living rooms.”
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What tone of light do you recommend for a small living room?
“A warm white light (around 2700-3000K) is always best for small spaces as they benefit from extra warmth and subtle shadows, not the starkness of cool light - making it ideal when planning the best lighting for small rooms or small room lighting.
Make sure to consider the finish of the fittings you choose too. Glass lighting, particularly those with a ribbed or patterned finish cast quiet patterns across walls and ceilings, adding atmosphere without clutter. Tinted glass finishes like mocha or smoked are another excellent way to make the space feel warm and cosy, without being too dark - especially within small living room lighting ideas.”
Mara Miller - Industville Founder
