Of all the areas in a house, the living room is undoubtedly one of the favourite for relaxing and chatting with guests or the rest of the family.
For this reason, lighting is a key element in these spaces to achieve an atmosphere of relaxation and serenity. But is it possible to achieve this effect without a false ceiling? Our answer: of course! In this article we are going to see how we can achieve it and what techniques we should take into account to illuminate our living room.
Is a false ceiling necessary to illuminate a living room?
To be able to illuminate a living room in a balanced way, it is not necessary to install recessed luminaires in a false ceiling. It is possible to illuminate a living room in a pleasant and correct way using other types of surface, track or pendant luminaires.
But before we look at which luminaires can be installed, let's take a look at the recommendations that we need to take into account in order to light a living room correctly.
Some tips for lighting a living room without a suspended ceiling
Before we get into what kind of lights you can use, let's lay the foundations for projecting.
Use only the light you need
First of all, remember to use only the light you need. We are lucky enough to be in a geographical area with a lot of natural light, but because of this, we sometimes want to imitate it unnecessarily. However, when night falls or first thing in the morning, we need a dimmer and more pleasant light that suits our biorhythm.
Therefore, the first thing to keep in mind is to avoid over-lighting the space. When we make this mistake, spaces lose their personality and become flat, without any incentive to relax, which is why it is necessary to plan the lighting with the use of each space in mind.
Project: Manlleu | Interior designer: Julia Brunet
Soft and comfortable lighting
As in most relaxation or transit areas, for example in the case of corridors or staircases, it is essential to avoid glare and create a pleasant space where you can relax. Therefore, always try to use light sources that are soft and avoid using high wattages.
To achieve this effect, you can also use diffuser accessories, such as our honeycomb, inspired by its honeycomb pattern. It is as simple as installing it, to reduce the side glare it may cause.
In any case, remember: in this type of space, it is better to opt for several soft points of light, rather than one very powerful one.
Luminaire control
To improve day-to-day use, we must ensure that all luminaires can be controlled from several switches. The aim is to avoid the person having to walk around the living room every time they want to turn a light on or off... And if we can use a home automation system, one that automates lighting control, so much better!
Which luminaires can be installed in a living room without a false ceiling?
Now that we have gone over the main recommendations that you should take into account when installing lighting in the living room, let's take a look at the options available when there is no false ceiling.
Project: Tres Torres | Architect: David Labori
Surface lighting
Using surface lighting, such as ceiling or wall lighting, will help you to create an enveloping and relaxing atmosphere. For example, you can complete your lighting with models such as Tender or Side.
Track spotlights
Track spotlights are another classic option for lighting your living room, as they allow you to highlight decorative elements such as pictures or photographs. In this way, it allows you to put the spotlight on some specific parts of the room, giving a special personality to the area. Some of our models that can help you achieve this are Stan, Plot or Link.
Project: Casa Monsenhor Airosa | Architects:Macedo, Silva & Machado
Lighting with recessed lighting
Even if the space does not have a false ceiling, recessed lighting can also be used to illuminate the room. However, in this case it is necessary to take into account that it will be necessary to create holes in the ceiling itself, the size of the spotlight to be placed.
To do this, it is necessary to have a bricklayer to cut holes in the ceiling, which will allow you to install the spotlight and the wiring to connect it to the electrical installation.
A whole range of solutions for lighting a living room without a suspended ceiling
As we have seen, it is possible to light a living room without a false ceiling in an appropriate way, as on many occasions, in order to create a relaxing atmosphere, the lights will be a combination of technical and decorative luminaires.
From Faro we recommend that you play with the different areas of the living room, to recreate a space that invites you to share good times. For example, in the sofa areas you can take the opportunity to place tabletop luminaires.
You can also opt for an elegant floor lamp, with opaque or fabric lampshades. Another very original option is to use LED strips in ceiling beams, to give more depth to the living room, or in some elements of the furniture such as shelves.
If you need more information, at Faro we will be happy to provide you with personalised service!
