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Are you looking for the perfect lighting for your coastal living room? Lighting can add so much charm to a space. Whether you are starting from scratch or need a refresh, this post has several different coastal light fixtures, including table lamps, sconce lights, and floor lamps.
Before you invest in lighting, determine how many lights you plan to have in the room, whether or not you will have overhead lighting, and how much natural light is present. Then, decide if you prefer warm or cool lighting before you choose lightbulbs.
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How Many Lights Are Needed In A Living Room?
You can calculate the lumens needed per square foot, but exactly how much light you need in a room depends on the size of the room, what it’s used for, and how much natural light is present. Natural light sources include windows, doors, and skylights.
In a living room typically used for conversation and relaxation, you will likely need three types of lighting: overhead, accent, and task. Overhead (otherwise known as ambient) lighting includes pendants, chandeliers, can lights, and ceiling fans. Accent lighting includes table lamps, sconces, and picture-frame lights. Task lighting is usually a floor or desk lamp in a living room.
What Lightbulbs Are Best For A Living Room?
Interior designers recommend warm white LED lightbulbs (2700-3000K). This type of lighting creates a warm and cozy atmosphere in a living room, especially for overhead (ambient) and accent lighting.
You may want to use a daylight bulb (5600K+) for task lighting, such as a floor lamp, if it will be regularly used for reading, sewing, needlepoint, or anything requiring more illumination.
My favorite lighting hack is rechargeable bulbs for sconce lights or lamps without a plug nearby. This simple solution doesn’t require light kits, hard wiring, or an electrician!
Now, let’s talk about my favorite lighting options for a coastal home. You don’t need a beach house to bring nautical style to your living room.
Coastal Table Lamps
Table lamps are one of my favorite items to shop for. Add personality to any room with a fun lamp base or patterned shade. You can use table lamps on side tables, console tables, or the media cabinet. Make sure you consider how they will look with rugs & decor in the space.
Table lamps with natural textures, scalloped details, or subtle accents like capiz shells are great options in coastal living rooms. The light blue lamp is one of the best selling lamps on my Instagram page! I love the large size, clean lines, and green shade on the Pottery Barn lamp. It would also look great in a coastal style entry way.
Some of my favorite retailers to shop for coastal lighting fixtures are Serena & Lily, TJ Maxx, and Ballard Designs. Don’t forget to check the Serena & Lily outlet for the best coastal lighting deals. Sometimes, they have display lighting and returned items that are heavily discounted.
Sconce Lights
I am so glad I added these aged brass sconce lights on either side of the Samsung Frame TV in my living room (shown above). A sconce light can instantly elevate the look of your living room. You may also consider adding them on either side of a fireplace mantel.
Whether you like a timeless look or have a more modern home, a sconce light will make your living room feel curated and put together.
One thing I like about sconce lights is that you can swap out the shades with different materials and colors. Since rattan is one of the most common materials for coastal lights, the Desta sconce from Ballard Designs is a great option.
Coastal Floor Lamps
If you want to make your living room feel a little cozier, use a floor lamp! Floor lamps are a great way to add height and interest to a coastal home, and they come in various styles and sizes.
A floor lamp pairs nicely with coastal furniture like a standalone accent chair. With a rattan basket for your favorite books and magazines nearby, this is the perfect spot to curl up and relax after a long day.
The best part about the Cintia floor lamp is that it comes with free shipping. This lamp would also look great in a home office. If you don’t have a side table nearby or one won’t fit in your space, floor lamps are a great alternative to table lamps to save a little space!
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Overhead Lighting
Lastly, we have overhead lighting options. Many homes have can lights, but they usually have hard-wired light kits for a ceiling fan or other overhead lighting, like pendant lights or chandeliers.
If you live in a warmer climate like me, you may want a ceiling fan. I have purchased this one for several different rooms in my home. Don’t miss this best selling ceiling lighting if you want a fan in your home. Over time, I have found that we don’t use the ceiling fan in our living room as much as in other rooms, so I think, eventually, I will replace it with one of these coastal chandeliers.
I love the natural tones of the rattan chandelier, but I am considering the Crystorama Broche chandelier for my living room because it coordinates with my sconce lights.
How much you use the overhead lighting in your living room will depend on how much natural light is present. If necessary, you can supplement overhead lighting with accent lighting.
Final Thoughts
Since the living room is often a focal point in the home, it’s the perfect backdrop for coastal accents. Good lighting choices can make a difference and completely transform a space. Consider your options before splurging (I love a good designer look for less!), and don’t forget to include small details like natural materials for a coastal look.
