Living Room Lighting

{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"How to light a living room"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"One ceiling fixture will not do it. A living room needs three layers: ambient light that fills the room, task light for reading, and accent light on art, shelves or a fireplace. Plan all three before buying anything, because each layer wants a different fixture and, ideally, its own switch or dimmer."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"For the ambient layer, size the central fixture to the room. Add the length and the width in feet and use that number as a diameter in inches, so a 14 by 18 foot room takes about a 32 inch fixture. Keep the bottom at least 84 inches above the floor anywhere people walk. If the ceiling is low, a semi-flush fixture or a pair of sconces will do the same job without hanging into the room."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"For the task and accent layers, work from where people actually sit. Floor and table lamps belong beside seating, not in corners on their own. Keep every source in the room at the same color temperature; 2700K to 3000K is the range that reads as warm domestic light."}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Placement"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Central fixture: diameter in inches equal to room length plus width in feet, hung with at least 84 inches of floor clearance."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Sconces: center 60 to 66 inches above the floor, spaced 8 to 10 feet apart along a wall."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Reading lamps: the bottom of the shade should sit at about 40 to 42 inches from the floor, which is roughly eye level for a seated adult. Put each layer on its own dimmer."}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"FAQ"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"How many light sources does a living room need?","bold":true}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Three or more is a reasonable target: one ambient fixture plus at least two lamps or sconces. Corners left completely dark make a room feel smaller."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Can a chandelier work in a living room?","bold":true}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Yes, as long as the bottom clears 84 inches over any walkway. Center it on the seating group rather than on the room if the two do not line up."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Should all the bulbs match?","bold":true}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Match the color temperature across the room, at 2700K or 3000K throughout. Mixed temperatures in one room are the most common reason lighting looks wrong."}]}]}