Which luminaire for the living room?
The living room is a room with many functions for the home. It is called upon to welcome guests, close friends or sometimes strangers, it also serves as a common room, a meeting place for the family. It is used for important discussions concerning the home. It also hosts communal activities, moments of relaxation, board games. For this important status within the household, the living room is designed to have a very good presentation. It is thus adorned with furniture and decorative objects, to give it an elegant and aesthetic decor, and above all a convivial one. In addition to these elements installed in the living room, theliving room lighting essentially contributes to the living room's presentation. Successful lighting relies on a few basic rules, including the use of appropriate fixtures. Hoopzï offers you high-quality products in its range of fixtures, displaying a chic and decorative design.
Basic principles of living room lighting
Suitable lighting requires observance of a few basic rules.
A variety of light sources
A variety of light sources is one of the key points of successful living room lighting. This involves using lampadaries, suspension luminaires or accent lamps, among others. They will be installed at different lighting points to produce a relief effect and bring life to the decor. This also makes it possible to adapt brightness to circumstances such as the time of day, activity and individuals present in the living room.
A strategic placement of sources
The choice of luminaire placement ensures the proper distribution of light in the room to be illuminated. This brings both balance and harmony to the living room. On the other, each well-placed element has a specific purpose for pleasantly enjoying its lighting. Thus, the main lighting in the living room is preferably located in the center, at ceiling level. This is achieved by using ceiling lights, large living room pendant lights, recessed LEDs. Although they provide the desired luminosity, this type of lighting produces an effect of flatness and monotony. To add depth and atmosphere, less intense light sources are used to balance the lighting. Reading lights and accent lamps are installed at lower points.
The right lighting power
The wattage of lighting fixtures determines thelight intensity used to illuminate a room. For the living room, the ideal intensity is between 100 and 150 lux. This level of brightness helps to create a warm, friendly atmosphere. Intensity is the ratio of luminous flux expressed in lumens to the illuminated surface.
Color temperature
Color temperature is another equally important parameter in living room lighting. This is the chromatic aspect of the light emitted by a light source expressed in Kelvin. The color with the highest temperature tends towards brilliant white. The lower the temperature, the more it approaches yellow. Paradoxically, warm colors have a low Kelvin number. They are chosen to create a warm atmosphere. For warm lights, we generally use LED or halogen bulbs.
Variable lighting
Variable lighting represents an equally effective option for optimal living room illumination. It consists of a lighting system mounted on dimmers. The dimmer in question is paired with the switch. It allows you to apply nuances to the brightness of different lighting elements. Set to a maximum brightness value, the bulbs display contrasts that create a bright, warm atmosphere. This technique requires the use of dimmable bulbs. In addition to its aesthetic function, it also saves energy.
Control sockets
Control sockets are tools that enhance the ease of use of lighting systems. In general, common switches are used to switch central recessed luminaires on and off. However, independent lamps are controlled one by one. A controlled socket groups together all the switches and allows all the lighting to be switched off at one point.
Lighting diffusion
Diffusing lighting towards the room has a considerable influence on the ambience of the living room. Intense luminous flux at high temperatures can be dazzling and uncomfortable. So it's best to dim it and avoid direct contact with the eye. Bright filament bulbs should be distributed moderately. To temper them, hide them with frosted glass globes or lampshades. These add an extra aesthetic touch. In addition, it's best to choose the least powerful bulbs.
The right dimensions for the surface to be lit
The shape and dimensions of fixtures installed for living room lighting must suit those of the living room. They must thus match and enhance the decorative style brought by the furniture. Similarly, large floor lamps are installed in a large living room alongside the furniture. Reading lights and small wall lights are suitable for small living rooms so as not to clutter the already small space.
The right height for light fixture placement
Stand lamps, ceiling lights and table lamps are naturally placed on the floor and ceiling. However, sconces and pendants also require placement at a specific height. In relation to the ceiling, which is normally 2.50 m from the floor, a wall sconce is ideally set at around 1.80 m. This height can be modified to suit specific lighting requirements. Suspended fixtures, for their part, need enough room to move around underneath. The recommended height is 2.15 m. However, if the pendant is used to light a coffee table, it can be lowered to a height of 1.80 m.
Classification of lighting lamps
Lighting lamps are classified according to the color of the luminous flux they produce. The unit used for this classification is the Kelvin. The classification is made in relation to the flux produced at a maximum efficiency level.
The color temperature of the various lamps is between 2000 and 10,000 K. Light with a low color temperature is said to be warm. It induces a relaxed, intimate atmosphere. Temperatures over 5300 Kelvins produce a very bright light, tending towards blue light. These colors are cool and purely functional, serving for intense lighting. They are more suitable for offices than living rooms.
For a very warm ambience, incandescent lamps boast a color temperature of 3400 K. Compact fluorescent lamps have improved to provide warmer and warmer light. They offer light ranging from warm white at less than 3000 K to cool white at 5000 K and above. White LEDs emit a white or blue light of up to 6000 Kelvins.
Discover our luminaires and accessories for living rooms
Frequent mistakes to avoid for living room lighting
When it comes to living room lighting, certain mistakes can occur. We sometimes commit them out of carelessness, but they can also be bad choices.
Spotlighting
There's nothing wrong with incorporating spotlights to brighten up the living room lighting. However, it's not recommended to use them as the main light source. This would make the room look like a showroom. Spotlights are only turned on for special situations.
An even intensity of light
Lighting with identical light intensities for all lamps detracts from the aesthetics of the decor. Furthermore, the brightness is monotonous, with occupants finding the same light in every corner. Thus, they can have an appropriate heat of light for their different activities.
Excessive lighting
Excessive light is detrimental to the ambience of the living room. Excess comes simultaneously from high wattage fixtures and too many of them. An over-lit living room takes on the appearance of a store and loses some of its class. The absence of shade and contrast also makes for a monotonous atmosphere. In addition, excessive brightness makes the atmosphere aggressive and irritating. It is therefore advisable to aerate the location of lighting fixtures, vary their type and wattage, and moderate their number.
Inadequate lighting
Certainly, the presence of contrasts and shadowy areas is required to vary lighting pleasantly. However, a minimum lighting level is advisable to ensure ambience in the room. The average lighting required is around 400 lumens. There's no need for bright, powerful lighting. Rather, the aim is to create a relaxed, restful atmosphere. However, insufficient lighting primarily affects visibility in the activities carried out at the salon. In addition, it is likely to install a rather gloomy feeling.
Recap of the ideal lighting system for the living room
The living room is home to a wide range of activities. Brightness varies for each of them. It is therefore advisable to install a variety of light points. These can be switched on jointly or in turn according to the needs of the circumstances. The dimmer option is another solution for obtaining different levels of brightness. The functional aspect of luminaires combines with their decorative value. Their second, and not secondary, function is to enhance the elegance and aesthetics of the living room. What's more, they are intended to create a warm and pleasant atmosphere. To achieve this, the ideal light intensity is around 300 lux.
The different types of lighting
Decent living room lighting is divided into three main elements.
L’éclairage général
General or central living room lighting is used to illuminate the entire living room. It is obtained from a ceiling light, a chandelier or ceiling-mounted or recessed spotlights. This type of lighting is normally activated by a control, a switch, located at the entrance to the room and easy to find. As a result, it's on as soon as you enter the living room. What's more, the style of the living room lighting scheme is matched to that of the general lighting. To achieve this, it's essential to install central lighting with the right characteristics. The luminous intensity provided must be proportional to the size of the room to be lit.
Functional lighting
So-called functional lighting is intended to fulfill a particular role. Thus, it is responsible for satisfying certain specific needs in addition to its decorative value. Functional luminaires are used to highlight a particular element such as a painting, a piece of furniture, the library or a trinket. Reading lights at the bedside of the sofa or hanging lights above the board game table also qualify as functional light fittings. All types of luminaire can play a functional role in the living room lighting system. They allow you to carry out your activities while enjoying the comfort of the living room.
Ambient lighting
Ambient lighting refers to any form of lighting with a decorative purpose. Its design is mainly up to the owner's inspiration. It's all about using your imagination and creativity. However, the lighting design must fit in with the overall decor of the living room. Lighting that doesn't fit in with the rest of the decor is just fantasy, and goes beyond the salon's main function. The idea is to create a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere, while remaining reasonable and elegant. Mood lighting reflects, like the rest of the living room decor, the personality of the person who chooses it.
To make up decorative lighting, any kind of luminaire can be used. The choice of elements to install depends on taste, the decorative style chosen.
The different types of lighting fixtures for the living room
Living room lighting doesn't require a rigorous selection for which fixtures to use.
Wall sconces
A wall sconce is a highly decorative element to be fixed right on the wall. It also provides indirect lighting for the living room. The Hoopzi wall light is available in seven colors. You can choose the one that suits your tastes, to match your furniture. It features a short, shovel-shaped bracket. This luminous, decorative element is discreetly small. It measures 3 cm by 6.5 cm, with a depth of 12 cm. It can be installed anywhere on the living room wall. It comes with a 4.50 m cord with plug.
Standing lamps
Table lamps are mood lighting fixtures, used to illuminate a particular corner of the living room. They are also a light source that can contribute to room lighting.
We offer on our site the cage XXL matte black. It's an aluminum cage with a distinctive design. Just under a metre high and 38 cm wide, it makes a handsome, imposing decorative piece, ideal for a corner of the living room. This gigantic table lamp can be converted into a lampshade.
Les lampadaires
A floor lamp is an essential part of the living room lighting scheme. It provides direct lighting to illuminate a precise corner of the living area. Thus, it is installed near the coffee table for eating, drinking or entertaining.
The Asym matte black floor-standing lamp by Hoopzi stands out for its pure, sober design. It is accompanied by a matching Bala light cable in black, white or color to blend ideally into the decor.
Les suspensions
The pendant light is the fixture specially designed for living room decor. In principle, it serves as the main light source. It provides optimum brightness and presents a highly decorative appearance. On our site, pendant lights are available with one to five bulbs.
The suspension Hang 1 is available in 11 colors. It is mounted on an attractive 2.5-meter woven cord thread. It is easy to install and features a bakelite E 27 socket.
The suspension spider Hang 5 Hoopzi is a spider chandelier perfect for the living room. Its woven cord is 4 meters long, on which five E 27 sockets are attached. It features a modern design, with clean lines. Made of steel, its woven cord adds a touch of class and aesthetics. Depending on your needs and tastes, the Hang 5 can be adapted to any type of bulb. The Edison filament bulbs available on our site are perfect for making a beautiful light fixture for your living room. We offer five colors so you can design a retro or modern pendant. For added style, you can add shades. You can adjust the length of the wire to suspend the fixture at the height you desire. You can also vary the extent to which you want to install it. Hang 5 is attached to the ceiling by five silicone hooks. The mounting plate is designed for different mounting situations. A screw secures it to your lighting connection device.
The woven electric cable and high-quality steel horn bear witness to the Hang's standing. They are designed in strict compliance with electrical standards. The luminaire is very easy to attach and connect.
Our site offers you the opportunity to put your creativity to work with its multiple lighting fixtures. The varied and very high quality products are offered to you. You can design your own combinations of wires, lights and other accessories.
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