11 Small Living Room Lighting Ideas To Brighten Up Your Space (2024)

In smaller rooms, we often try to get more floor space by pushing the furniture up against the walls. However, when it comes to sneaking in extra light, float your furniture. By pulling a few pieces of furniture away from the wall and placing a tall or arching floor lamp behind the furniture, not only will the lights brighten up the room, but the floor lamp adds some visual interest. Try this lighting solution with an accent chair, in a dark corner or close to the main seating area in your living room.

When decorating a smaller space, you may think less is more. However, when it comes to lighting your small living room—more is more. From a large fixture on the ceiling, floor lights in the room, a set of lamps and accent lights on the walls and near furniture, layer your lights to brighten the room, create mood and to add practical and tasking lighting to the places you need it most. If there is a spot in your living room where you like to read or watch TV, make sure the layers of light are focused on that space.

If you have a gorgeous ceiling fixture that you love—make it a double. By doubling the center lights, you’ll create symmetry in your living room, and also a fun design element. Plus the added light will make a dark room instantly brighter and draw your eyes up to give the room a larger appearance. While mixing and matching lights work within the room, if you are doubling up the ceiling light over one space, stick to the same design to avoid making the room look choppy.

Choose lighting that can pull double duty. An end table and lamp combo or a side table with attached lights are great options. Since you’re limited on space in a small living room but need both pieces in the room, finding a creative and stylish solution is the best of both worlds. Plus, for the times that it feels like you’re really limited on space and need more room to entertain, these pieces of furniture can be moved around the room and light up different spaces when needed.

A pair of matching lamps will help to frame different parts of your room and create symmetry around your couch or fireplace. Rather than taking two matching lamps and scattering them in the same room, allow them to pull your eyes to a focal point. An added bonus to grabbing two of the same lamps– this design trick gives the illusion that your space is actually bigger because it feels more cohesive.

Including wall sconces will save space and add perfect pops of light exactly where you need them. From brightening a dark corner, framing a gorgeous piece of art or adding extra light to the spot you like to relax and scroll, don’t let a lack of electricity stop your wall scones plans. You can add sconces without hiring an electrician by simply using puck lights that are powered by a remote to the sconce. Attach the puck lights to where the light bulb would go, and you’re ready to brighten up your space.

If you’re limited on wall space, let your lighting work as pieces of art in your small living room. Skip the standard lamps and lampshades, and forget the basic ceiling lights. Instead, let your style and aesthetic shine through the lighting choices. Spice up your small space with fabulous lighting options. Choose bold and creative lighting that adds interest to the room, and vary the styles. Hang a grouping of lights in a corner, play with height and texture on table lamps and vary the color and size of your ceiling lights.

Just because you’re decorating a small space doesn’t mean you have to choose small lights. An oversize ceiling light is a fun design option and you won’t have to worry that it will shrink the space. The larger light will function as a statement piece, drawing your eyes up and bathing the walls and floor with more light so they appear more spaced out.

Add warmth and light to your small living room by choosing lighting options that have multiple bulbs. Not only are these modern lights stylish and fun, but they double as a smart lighting solution in poorly lit rooms. While traditional lights shine down in one space, a multi-bulb table lamp, floor lamp or ceiling light will stretch the lights across the room and add light to more of your space.

Highlight the decor and accent pieces that line the shelves in your living room by adding shelf lighting. These types of fixtures add a softness to your room and can make the books, art and photos on your shelves become standout features. The glow from shelf lights isn’t overwhelming but can offer a nice background light in your room.

Let the natural light pour into your living room and reflect off your fixtures. Transparent lighting—like crystal and clear glass accents on lamps and chandeliers—gives the room an open and bright feel. When the lights are turned on and the sun’s rays are brightening the room, the entire space will look like it’s glowing.