How do I add accent lights to my living room?

What are accent lights?

Accent lights are lights used in a room to highlight specific areas or objects. They are not the main source of light in a room, rather they provide extra illumination to draw attention to particular decor elements, artwork, or architectural details. Accent lighting creates visual interest and dimension in living spaces.

Some common ways accent lights are used in living rooms include:

• Lighting shelving or bookcases to showcase decorative objects
• Illuminating wall art, mirrors, or architectural elements
• Creating pools of light around furniture groupings
• Highlighting specific plants in a room
• Shining light upwards to create ambiance against the ceiling
• Accenting staircases or other unique features

Proper use of accent lighting adds style, visual appeal, and functionality to living rooms. Accent lights attract the eye to key areas and enhance the overall aesthetic.

What types of accent lights work best in living rooms?

There are several types of lighting fixtures well-suited for accent lighting in living rooms:

Recessed or track lighting

Recessed downlighting or track lights work great for precisely highlighting specific wall decor or shelving recesses. Track lighting provides the most flexibility, as the aim of the light can be adjusted.

Picture lights

Picture lights are designed specifically for illuminating wall art and mirrors. They provide focused, gallery-style lighting.

Sconces

Wall sconces can be installed around a living room to create pockets of light. Stylish options include swing arm, plug-in, or hardwired sconces.

Table and floor lamps

Direct a floor or table lamp at a specific area to achieve accent lighting. Opt for adjustable or movable lamps to control the direction of light.

Pendant lights

Mini pendant lights over chairs, sofas, or tables put a pinpoint light right where it’s needed.

Tips for choosing accent lighting

Here are some tips when selecting fixtures and bulbs for living room accent lights:

• Go for compact lights like downlights and sconces to keep the look clean and integrated.
• Use warm light bulbs around 2700-3000K to create a soft, inviting ambiance.
• Choose dimmable bulbs or fixtures so you can control the brightness as needed.
• Look for LED bulbs for efficiency and long life.
• Layer lighting with a mix of accent and general illumination for a cohesive look.
• Pick finishes like nickel, bronze, or metal to match your overall decor.

Mixing up the styles and placement of accent lights adds great depth and dimension to living rooms.

How to add accent lighting to shelves

Follow these steps to properly accent shelves and display units in your living room:

1. Examine the area and determine the best lighting approach. Small, focused recessed lights work well for contained shelving recesses. For open bookcases, consider track lighting.
2. Map out the placement of the lights. Usually lighting at the top or sides of shelving creates the most attractive glow on objects below.
3. Check that the lighting can be properly wired or plugged in nearby.
4. Purchase the accent lights and necessary hardware. For recessed lights, cut holes in the shelving recess to embed them. With track lights, secure the track hardware first.
5. Install the lights per the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure recessed lights are snugly fit into the holes.
6. Have a licensed electrician connect the new lights properly and check they are wired safely.
7. Turn on the lights and adjust them to hit shelves at the most flattering angle. You may need to tweak the aim.
8. Style shelves neatly with decor and see how the accent lighting showcases display objects.

Properly positioned accent shelf lighting makes all the difference in creating an attractive display.

Accenting living room artwork

Accent lighting is key for showcasing treasured artwork and wall decor. Here are some quick tips:

• Install picture lights or mini track lights above the art, centered and about 6-12 inches above the piece.
• Look for warm LED picture lights with adjustable brightness.
• Aim the light down at about a 45 degree angle towards the art.
• Pick portable plug-in picture lights for renters or easier installation.
• Recessed lights also work well over art when positioned correctly.
• Always use dimmers to control picture light brightness as needed.
• Layer accent lights with general room illumination to prevent shadowing.

Accenting living room art displays makes them stand out beautifully.

How to accentuate architectural elements

Unique architectural details like vaulted ceilings, skylights, exposed beams, and textured walls deserve to shine. Accentuate architectural flair using:

• Recessed lighting to graze across beams, accenting the lines and textures.
• Wall washing by positioning sconces or recessed lights to splash light onto textured wall areas.
• Backlighting to create silhouettes of interesting architectural shapes using concealed lights.
• Uplighting with recessed floor lights or directional lamps to create a glow on architectural surfaces from below.
• Pendant lights to complement light fixtures integrated into the architecture.

Take care not to overpower or overwhelm architectural features with overly intense accent lighting.

How to create accent lighting “zones” in living rooms

Zone lighting breaks up a living room into different pockets of light. Follow these tips:

• Determine activity areas like conversation groupings, reading nooks, or game zones to illuminate separately.
• Add portable lamps or install recessed downlighting to precisely light each zone.
• Use floor and table lamps with directional shades to control lighting direction.
• Splurge on dimmers so each zone’s lighting can be adjusted as needed.
• Aim accent lights at zones from multiple angles for balanced, natural-looking illumination.

Zoned accent lighting stops the living room from feeling like one big undifferentiated space.

How to choose accent lighting by room style

Match the style of your accent lights to the room decor. Here are some examples:

Room Style	Matching Accent Lighting
Contemporary	Recessed downlighting, track lighting, globe or cylinder pendant lights
Industrial	Vintage Edison bulbs, bare bulb pendants, galvanized metal lamps
Mid-Century	Brass floor and table lamps, globe pendants
Rustic	Wrought iron sconces, candle puck lights
Bohemian	Woven pendants, mosaic lamps, paper lanterns

Choose fixtures with finishes, shapes, and materials that are cohesive with your overall room design.

Best practices for accent lighting placement

Follow these general guidelines when positioning accent lights:

• Aim downlights or directional lights at a 30-60 degree angle on what you want to highlight.
• Place sconces or picture lights approximately 60-72 inches above the floor for ideal illumination.
• Hang pendants around 30-48 inches above a surface for best visibility.
• Install lights as close as possible to shelves or artwork to reduce shadows.
• Position accent lights slightly off center from objects to create dimension.
• Space recessed downlights 2-4 feet apart for even lighting.

Try out different placements and angles during installation to determine the optimal configuration.

Conclusion

The strategic use of accent lighting transforms living rooms into luxe, welcoming spaces. Accent lights provide the finishing touch to display treasured objects, art, architecture, and decor in the best possible light. By highlighting specific zones and details, accent lighting adds depth, comfort, and style to any living room. With so many fixture styles and placement options, you can easily create a custom accent lighting plan to realize your unique living room vision.