Living room ceiling lighting ideas – 11 lightbulb moments

From barely-there spotlights to oversized pendants, be inspired by our living room ceiling lighting ideas.

Lara Sargent

Lara loves writing about every aspect of the home – from the latest colour trends to emerging designs. She has a lot of experience writing about home trends and interior advice for leading titles such as The Telegraph, Metro, and Homes & Gardens.

Living room ceiling lighting ideas need to be functional and stylish. As the main source of light in a living room, they also need to fulfil many purposes, creating an ambient mood for relaxing, socialising or watching TV.

While living room ceiling lights are often hung centrally, if you think outside the box, you'll find they offer so many creative possibilities. Try cleverly spotlighting an architectural feature, directing a pool of light to a reading corner or making your ceiling light the star of the show to create a dramatic focal point. And of course, don't forget to look at how your ceiling lights layer with table, wall and floor lamps for a considered, well-planned lighting scheme.

These living room ceiling lighting ideas will have you covered no matter what direction you want to go in.

Living room ceiling lighting ideas

Don't treat this important part of your décor as an afterthought. Living room lighting can add masses of personality, style and substance to your space.

Let it shine with these 15 living room ceiling lighting ideas, from vintage chandeliers to a trio of pendants and built-in LEDs.

1. Play around with different living room lighting styles

Combine different styles of ceiling lights in a large living room for a great way to enhance every angle of space.

This huge sculptural ceiling light injects a really cool design dimension into this modern room. Despite its oversized proportions, the colour and material fit in with the decor and don't compete with the room's style tempo.

Offset a statement pendant with white tubular downlights which are almost invisible. They still provide targeted pools of light in such a large space.

If you don't feel confident designing a lighting scheme, we recommend hiring the expertise of a professional lighting designer.

2. Choose a vintage living room light design

Deep black walls and charcoal furniture offer a striking backdrop for this vintage chandelier. It's a focal point of the room you can't ignore, full of character and whimsical charm.

Buy vintage-inspired chandeliers on the high street or pick up the real deal at an antique market or car boot sale. Do be aware that most original, antique lights will need to be restored and rewired for modern-day use.

This is because regulations change as do the specifications of components. Never be tempted to rewire a light fitting yourself - contact a qualified restorer or electrician who can do the job properly. Then get it PAT tested (portable appliance testing) so you know it's safe to use.

3. Hang up a cluster of pendants

Hang a cluster of pendant lights to help create a real impact. Choose a range of different style pendants for an eclectic buzz or the same style in a variety of sizes.

In this earthy-coloured living space, a trio of copper, domed shades adds a touch of industrial glamour to the very modern aesthetic.

4. Build in spotlights for your living room

You might think that built-in ceiling spotlights are functional styles just for the bathroom or kitchen. But this unobtrusive style of light works so well, especially in an open-plan living room with fairly low ceilings.

The white-trimmed spotlights fit seamlessly into the white painted ceiling and leave uninterrupted views to the garden beyond. To flood the space with even more natural light, the owners of this space have had a central roof lantern fitted.

The result is fresh, airy and light-filled. Seek out spotlights that can be independently controlled to highlight different parts of the room at different times of the day and night.

Find out more about smart lighting costs in our useful blog.

5. Create a modern reading nook

Reading corners need excellent lighting - otherwise you won't be able to see the words on the page.

If you want to set up a reading nook in one corner of your living space, think creatively. Hanging up a trio of modern pendant lights at different heights is a neat idea.

It's a contemporary, space-saving alternative to a floor-standing lamp and we love it!

6. Be brave with an oversized shade

Dare to go big with your living room lighting by hanging up a huge shade.

The beauty of using a shade made from natural materials like rattan, jute or paper, is that it won't dominate the space.

Lightweight, semi-transparent materials will also allow light to filter into every corner of your room for good all-round illumination.

Read our blog for more Japandi interior design ideas.

7. Go big in a small space too

If you need a ceiling light for a smaller room, you might be tempted to go for a plain white shade in a simple design. Don't.

The trick is to create interest without taking up too much space. This geometric lampshade echoes the contemporary, chevron wall art and cushions, and draws the eye up.

Sticking to neutral yet bright decor in a smaller living room with these smart yet simple prints creates a calming spot for day and night.

8. Pick patterned lighting for your living room

Maximalists and fans of bright colour might prefer to choose a bold, patterned fabric shade as the centrepiece of a living room.

Adding a pop of colour and print overhead can definitely switch things up. Don't be scared to clash prints if you fancy an eclectic look or go for bold colour blocking in a single hue.

Find shades lined with a light-coloured fabric for better illumination. Check out our dedicated blog for loads more stunning interior design ideas.

9. Add ceiling jewellery

Create modern drama with a sculptural ceiling light. Like a piece of jewellery for the room, this glass cylindrical light is a striking focal point.

The clear glass baubles allow the light to shine through and create a mesmerising look.

10. Stick to a monochrome palette

Industrial-style pendants are a good choice for contemporary homes. And you can't go wrong with a monochrome palette. Black and white is smart, timeless and elegant for the bare bones of a living room.

This slim, metal ceiling pendant ties in with the architectural elements of the room such as the window frames and brickwork.

Contrast with warm oak and pale cream linen for a liveable space you'll never want to leave.

11. Sneak in some strip lights for your living room

LED strip lights recessed into the ceiling are ultra-modern and will only suit certain living rooms. However, they are a really clever design tool for illuminating the perimeter of a room, fitting snugly into ceiling coving.

The result is a warm, even glow throughout your living space.

Go for smart LED lights so you can change the colour and brightness at the click of a button.

Ready to make your living room ceiling lighting ideas into a reality? Simply find a trusted electrician near you to kick your project off on the right foot.