Forte Electric's Blog

     Lighting in a living room or den can be accomplished in many ways. For some people a few lamps in the room is sufficient and pleasing. Some other options are recessed lighting, track lighting and surface mounted ceiling fixtures. Ceiling mounted fixtures are the least likely to be used in a living room or a den. One exception to this would be a ceiling fan with a light kit.

     As with most lighting plans a combination of two or more light sources gives you the best outcome and most versatility. Recessed lighting is a very good choice and can, in most cases, be used exclusively. This can be done with a little creativity to avoid that commercial look of rows of symmetrically placed recessed cans.

     Switching controls for the lighting layout are almost as important as placement. If you have a row of lights in front of an area where a TV will be placed, you will want to be able to control those separately to avoid a nasty glare and make viewing the TV uncomfortable. Perhaps there is a row over a couch or seating area or in the center of the room. All these different scenarios call for separate switching.

     I usually advise my customers not to make the lighting layout in a living room or den revolve around the furniture layout. If money is no object, then it's fine, but in most cases a general lighting plan is a better choice. The main reason is we tend to change our furniture around and that could leave the ceiling lighting in all the wrong places. You can however use a focal point. There is usually something in a room that won't change. It could be a fireplace, large window or even the TV entertainment center. Using one of these can help determine how to set the lighting up as well as how to control it.