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Making the most of your living room lighting

Good lighting doesn’t necessarily mean having bright lamps. The key lies in choosing the right lamp for each activity and combining them all for a beautifully balanced, well-lit room. Here are the basics of different kinds of lighting, to guide you where to put lights in your living room, so you can get light that feels just right.

A farmhouse-style living room with plenty of framed artwork and books, two ESSEBODA sofas and HAVSTA storage combinations.
A farmhouse-style living room with plenty of framed artwork and books, two ESSEBODA sofas and HAVSTA storage combinations.

Finding flow in focused light

A floor lamp by the sofa is always nice for reading. Just keep in mind that staying concentrated for longer without getting fatigued also requires good low-intensity light to balance your reading light and decrease contrast. Like good general light from a pendant or a mood lamp close by.

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A white NYMÅNE floor/reading lamp by a white sofa with an off-white cushion with a black dot pattern, plus a wall lamp.
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General lighting

The lamp that sees everything. General lighting provides a uniform light throughout the living space, giving a good overview of the room. It softens contrasts and shadows between lit and unlit spots. Examples are pendants, ceiling lamps and chandeliers.

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A black and white STORSLINGA 8-armed chandelier with a picture in a black frame behind it, in a bright room with big windows.
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Mood lighting

The lamp that makes you feel good. Mood lighting softens the contrasts between general and task light to create a cosy, intimate atmosphere. Examples are lamps with a glass or paper shade, picture lighting and decorative lighting strings. A dimmer makes it easy to set a mood.

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A beige TÄRNABY table lamp is on a side table next to a BACKSÄLEN 3-seat sofa and a HAUGA high cabinet with 2 doors.
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Integrated lighting

Integrated lighting in cabinets or cupboards is like a having a mix of task lighting and mood lighting. It’s practical for finding things or spotlighting decorative items. It also creates a warm, cosy atmosphere in a room.

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Three black TVÄRDRAG cabinet lighting hang above white BILLY bookcases with woven baskets placed on top.
Two TONSTAD cabinets with black YTBERG cabinet lighting on top stand on either side of a door in a narrow dining room.
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Combine them all for a beautiful, well-lit room

The secret to good lighting? Combining all three types of lighting—task, mood and general—in a room. When different types of lighting are used together, they create a well-blended overall light that results in a functional and comfortable atmosphere at home.

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A light beige SÖDERHAMN sofa stands in a modern living room with large windows and a mostly white colour palette.
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Create a tidy look with cordless lamps

No wall sockets nearby? Or do you want to decorate in the centre of the living room? Cordless, battery-operated lamps are wonderful for adding light, minus electricity.

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A BETTORP mobile lamp on a side table beside a light blue VIMLE 3-seat sofa bed that’s back-to-back with a chaise longue.
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Turn all your lights on and off with one click

Connect lamps wirelessly through smart lighting and you can turn them all on in one click – for an instantly beautiful, well-lit room the moment you enter it. Easy! It’s also great for mood lighting, so you can adjust the intensity of the light.

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Lights turn on and off in a dining room where a family is doing different activities throughout the day.
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A woman on a sofa using a remote control for a white SYMFONISK speaker lamp on a windowsill beside two large windows.
“
A Wi-Fi speaker built into your mood lighting is ideal for a small space. Super convenient for getting the right mood and soundtrack for your day.
”

Stjepan BegicProduct Developer

A white SYMFONISK WiFi bookshelf speaker, a white DIRIGERA hub for smart products, a white remote control and a cable.

Wireless control of light and sound

Setting the atmosphere with the right light and the right sound couldn’t be easier than with everything connected to the DIRIGERA smart home hub. Simply open the app on your phone to take control.