I have a fairly large living room that is lit by three little tiny lights that are inadequate for the job. I'm considering new fixtures but I'm not sure what type would be best to increase the amount of light in the room and still look good. Below are some images of what I have now. Recommendations?

[dl.dropboxusercontent.com]

[dl.dropboxusercontent.com]

[dl.dropboxusercontent.com]

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[colquhoun.info]

Simple and immediate would be brighter bulbs. Maybe another table lamp in the back right corner on that corner table.

#2 would be to change out the upper wall/ceiling fixtures.

That room just screams for a large drop down chandelier / light fixture.

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3d
That room just screams for a large drop down chandelier / light fixture.

Maybe something with the new LED "Edison" bulbs.

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In tha 360. MRF User Map

In a room that tall with a fireplace in it, I'd consider a ceiling fan with light. At any rate, though, you need something more dramatic than what's there now.

A ceiling fan would be practical but you could put a heck of a chandelier there a well.

Me and my small NYC apt are jealous.

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I'd go with a modern and not overly large chandelier in the middle:
[www.amazon.com]
And something directional on either side kind of like this:
[www.amazon.com]
(my own preference would be something that takes a standard bulb base.)

I immediate though pendent lights, a few of them at differing levels.
another option would be to go in the other direction - literally. Some spots shooting up at the ceiling creating a reflected defused light.

Maybe a mixture of the two?

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/23/2015 07:45PM by Ombligo.

I'd lose those horrible beam things first.


If you absolutely have to have some kind of fake beam then more like this:[www.usledsupply.com]
but something that actually complements the fireplace style.

Maybe just string LED above a nice wide white molding around the perimeter of the ceiling


Something like this : [www.usledsupply.com]
would actually fill that big tall empty space and bring the ceiling "down" a little bit.

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If you live near a lighting store might want to take the pictures/measurments to a consultant/salesperson to see what they recommend.

I vote with Black. Spots were intended to 'draw the eye' to some feature of the room. And make it too dark to function in. Of course you could just put UV spots in and focus them on fluorescent velvet paintings of Elvis and Jesus riding Unicorns.

If the side lights are bright enough you could also get away with one of these in the middle:

I am totally up with the starship enterprise light solution.

In my mind I was thinking of simply replacing the existing light fixtures with something that would provide more light. Low cost solution. The current light is just not enough. It is always super dark in that room.

The room is actually a combination entry way and living room and is quite large. I posted previously about improving a chandelier in the entry way. I wonder if two matching chandeliers would be the answer? I'm not very good at picturing how things would look.

Here is an image that shows the whole area. The size of the room makes lighting challenging. Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going to spend a lot more time going over them this evening.

Oh, and we will address the beams at a later time when we can remodel. We are hoping to install hardwood floors and then paint walls and ceiling and maybe put in sky lights but that will have to wait a year or two.

[dl.dropboxusercontent.com]

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Ukulele music I couldn't find anywhere else.
[colquhoun.info]

I'm leery about those chandeliers...

I think a couple of brighter table lamps, one in the back right corner and one on the cabinet at left (your last photo) would improve things. It wouldn't cost anything to experiment by placing some from another room to see what it would look like. Also, I don't see what the ceiling lights are contributing at all - they just seem to be accenting empty space.

And I vote to lose the wallpaper on the end wall.

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Those last pics help a lot. The small existing spots seem fine, but high ceiling lights like that can only service as accent lighting. You can't expect those to light the entire room.

I'm in no way a lighting expert, but I think it needs to be done in layers. You need more/other sources of light—not more light pointing down at you. Seeing the wide angle shot makes me think some sconces would help on the side walls. A chandelier could be the answer, but you already have a pretty distinctive one in the adjoining area. I think the sconces (lots of sizes and styles which will influence the design of the room), table or floor lamps, and possibly additional accent spots will fill the area quite nicely while adding interest and complimenting the architecture.

I don't think that's wallpaper. That's a finish, right?

POn second thought, send the pics to TLC and hope on of the home design shows take an interest.

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“No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong.” -- François de La Rochefoucauld

"Those who cannot accept the past are condemned to revise it." -- Geo. Mathias

The German word for contraceptive is “Schwangerschaftsverhütungsmittel”. By the time you finished saying that, it’s too late

That room screams for an interior designer. There are too many wacky disparate elements for a mere mortal to handle.

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Thanks again to everyone who offered advice. I was looking for a bandaid and now I see I need a larger solution. I know Davester is right when he says the entire room needs a make-over but as I mentioned it will need to wait awhile.

datbeme, you are correct that there is a special finish on the wall. It was a big "selling point" to the previous owners but not as much to us. It does need to be removed. Ironically the people who put it up fancied themselves interior decorators. I think I received better advice HERE on how to improve the room.

Thanks again everyone. I will post pics if I'm able to make improvements.

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Ukulele music I couldn't find anywhere else.
[colquhoun.info]

I know Davester is right when he says the entire room needs a make-over but as I mentioned it will need to wait awhile.

But getting some professional suggestions now could be a big help in guiding choices between now and the end result, maybe preventing you from getting a sink that's too deep.

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RAMd®d
maybe preventing you from getting a sink that's too deep.

I see what you did.

ouch...

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“No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong.” -- François de La Rochefoucauld

"Those who cannot accept the past are condemned to revise it." -- Geo. Mathias

The German word for contraceptive is “Schwangerschaftsverhütungsmittel”. By the time you finished saying that, it’s too late

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Ombligo

Quote
RAMd®d
maybe preventing you from getting a sink that's too deep.

I see what you did.

ouch...

I read other posts on this forum too you know!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/25/2015 08:01AM by mikebw.