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Lighting for the living room: 30 ideas to make the projects cozy

How to create the ideal lighting for a living room with tips on natural light, lamps, and effects that enhance the projects and ensure comfort.

By CASACOR Publisher

Submitted at Jul 1, 2025, 8:54 AM

Mais de 10 min de leitura
Project of Sophia Galvão.

Project of Sophia Galvão. (Denilson Machado)

The lighting is one of the most important elements in interior decoration. In the living room, it goes far beyond the practical function of illuminating the space: the right choice enhances the decor, creates different moods, and directly influences the well-being of those who use the projects.

Good lighting can completely transform the atmosphere of the room, highlighting textures, furniture, and decorative objects. Therefore, understanding the lighting possibilities and how to combine them is essential to make the space more beautiful, functional, and welcoming.

Rogério Linck Figueira Interior Design - Living Room Guilherme Machado da Silva. Project of CASACOR Rio Grande do Sul 2025.

Rogério Linck Figueira Interior Design - Sala de Estar Guilherme Machado da Silva. Projeto da CASACOR Rio Grande do Sul 2025. (Emilio Rothfuchs/CASACOR)

In this article, we will explore five fundamental points to plan a good lighting for living room, covering natural light, types of luminaires, color temperature, and other strategies that make all the difference in the final result of the project.

Make the most of natural light


Aclaene de Mello Architecture - Living Room and Dining Room. Project of CASACOR Rio Grande do Sul 2025.

Aclaene de Mello Arquitetura - Sala de Estar e Jantar. Projeto da CASACOR Rio Grande do Sul 2025. (Cristiano Bauce/CASACOR)

The natural light is a powerful ally in the living room, as it not only reduces energy consumption during the day but also brings visual comfort and a sense of well-being. Therefore, the first tip is to enhance openings such as windows, glass doors, and skylights.

Garden apartment gains three garden areas on the balconies. Project by Mandril Architecture. In the photo, living room with sofa and balcony.

Projeto de Mandril Arquitetura. (Mariana Orsi/Divulgação)

Light curtains, made of translucent fabrics such as linen or cotton gauze, help diffuse the light without completely blocking the light entry.

For those seeking more control over natural light throughout the day, blinds with opening control are a good option. In spaces where solar incidence is very intense, the use of reflective films or blackout curtains can help protect furniture and balance the internal temperature.

Use layers of lighting


Two connected apartments create a duplex with the look of an art gallery. Project by Escala Arquitetura. In the photo, living room with sofa, armchairs, and TV.

Projeto de Escala Arquitetura. (Juliano Colodeti, do MCA Estúdio/Divulgação)

An effective lighting solution in the living room does not rely on a single light source. On the contrary: the ideal is to combine different types of lighting in layers to meet the various functions of the projects.

  • General lighting: usually done with ceiling lamps or recessed lights, ensures the basic brightness of the space.

  • Task lighting: table lamps, floor lamps, and sconces create softer and directed light points, ideal for reading or relaxing moments.

  • Accent lighting: used to highlight specific elements of the decor, such as pictures, niches, or shelves with decorative objects. It can be done with spotlights, LED strips, or directional recessed lights.

The secret is to use these layers in a balanced way, creating possibilities for adjustment according to the use of the projects and the time of day.

Choose the ideal color temperature


Romário Rodrigues creates a contemporary project in a 220 m² apartment in Ceará. In the photo, living and dining room with wooden wall.

(Felipe Petrovsky/CASACOR)

The color temperature of the lamp directly interferes with the perception of the projects. For the living room, where a cozy atmosphere is usually sought, lamps with warm tones — between 2,700K and 3,000K — are the most recommended. They create a more welcoming and intimate atmosphere, perfect for relaxing or hosting guests.

[caption id="attachment_157220" align="alignnone" width="1024"]Renzo Cerqueira - Oasis Studio. Project by CASACOR Espírito Santo 2023.[/caption>

On the other hand, white lamps, with temperatures above 4,000K, have a cooler and more stimulating light, which can be useful in work areas but are not recommended for projects, as they can leave the space feeling impersonal or even uncomfortable.

Ana Cano signs the renovation of her own apartment in Rio de Janeiro. In the photo, living room and tv, carpet and paintings.

(Luiza Schreier/CASACOR)

Currently, many luminaires come with color temperature adjustment options, allowing users to adapt the light according to needs and the time of day — a great solution for those seeking versatility.

Invest in lamps that also decorate


Flávia Burin and Bruna Moretti - Dust and Glory. CASACOR São Paulo 2023 project. In the photo, living room with sofa, paintings, and rug.

Flávia Burin e Bruna Moretti - Pó e Glória. Projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2023. (Renato Navarro/CASACOR)

The choice of luminaires influences both the quality of light and the aesthetics of the space. Pendants, sconces, table lamps, and floor lamps can work as real design pieces, adding personality to the decor.

Regina Amaral - Live In. Project of CASACOR Goiás 2023. In the picture, living room with stone wall, painting and colorful rug.

Regina Amaral - Live In. Em 141 m², o ambiente interno é integrado com a natureza. O espaço que destaca a arte e a música foi concebido para receber família, amigos e estar com pessoas que realmente fazem sentido. Com curadoria de Ludmila Potrich, as obras dos artistas Pitágoras e Siron Franco complementam o projeto em conjunto com esculturas de Bruno George e Evandro. Já as músicas que caracterizam o ambiente foram selecionadas por Regina e Ludmilla Amaral. Cores terrosas e naturais são utilizadas nos mobiliários e se mesclam com uma ampla parede revestida em pedra natural, desenvolvida na Serra Gaúcha, pelas mãos de habilidosos artesãos. (Edgard Cesar/CASACOR)

Pendants with contemporary design look amazing over coffee tables or in reading corners. Meanwhile, luminaires with fabric shades or bases made of wood and metal match more classic or rustic decors. If the room has a more minimalist style, lamps with simple lines and matte finishes can complement the space without weighing it down visually.

Apartment with Lagoon view vintage furniture industrial style Pill Architecture decoration apartment living room view armchair rug lamp concrete sofa rug

Projeto de Pílula Arquitetura. (Luiza Scheier/CASACOR)

The tip is to choose luminaires that harmonize with the furniture and colors of the room, creating a coherent and pleasant set. Ideally, they should help compose the decor even when turned off.

Invest in automation and dimmers


Apartment 130 m2 Mediterranean air organic shapes Gustavo Marasca dining room rug table lamp painting

Apê de 130 m² tem ar mediterrâneo e é repleto de formas orgânicas. Projeto de Gustavo Marasca. (Daniel del Santo/CASACOR)

To have versatile lighting in the living room, it is worth considering the use of technologies such as dimmers and automation systems. The dimmers allow you to regulate the intensity of the light according to the need, creating everything from a brighter environment to receive guests to a soft light for watching a movie.

Duplex gourmet space pergola garden grass pool Scale Architecture decoration Rio de Janeiro living room sofa picture table shelf

(MCA Estudio/CASACOR)

Home automation systems offer even more practicality, allowing control of lighting via mobile phone, virtual assistants, or remote control. Some solutions also allow programming scenes that combine different luminaires and intensities to create specific atmospheres.

Apartment 210 m2 contemporary decor with industrial touches João Panaggio decoration living room sofa rug tv wood table

(Juliano Colodeti, do MCA Estudio/CASACOR)

These resources not only make lighting more practical but also help save energy and extend the lifespan of the lamps.

Different lightings for living room


Spacious balcony apartment 200 m2 decor inspired by Leblon neighborhood João Panaggio credit Denilson Machado
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João Panaggio's Project.

(Denilson Machado, do MCA Estúdio)
old-apartment-modernized-without-losing-original-layout-barbara-dundes-credit-fran-parente (21)
02/15 -

Project by Barbara Dundes.

(Fran Parente)
03/15 -

Architecture Scale Project.

(Juliano Colodeti, do MCA Estúdio)
04/15 -

Bianca da Hora Project.

(Fotos: Denilson Machado, do MCA Estúdio / Produção visual: Aldi Flosi)
apartment-eclectic-romantic-style-vintage-touch-larissa-perna-credit-rafael-renzo (13)
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Larissa Perna's Project.

(Rafael Renzo)
Apartment 300 m2 with winter gardens and fountain by Sophia Galvão, credit Denilson Machado.
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Project by Sophia Galvão.

(Denilson Machado)
CASACOR SC-ITAPEMA 2025 Fernando Luiz Dal Bosco Terrace Golf - Photo Lio Simas (1)
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Fernando Luiz Dal Bosco - Terrace Golf. A contemporary space of 100 m², with a living area, wine cellar room, and external garden. Perfect for hosting friends, with a theme focused on the practice of golf. Integration of the external area with nature, everything that a house in golf asks for. It has a wintery atmosphere, with predominantly earthy tones, which makes it more intimate with this palette in the furniture, on the walls, and in the textures. A suitable place to enjoy wines and beverages in the wine cellar room, and with decoration focused on golf, with bags, clubs, and everything else.

(Lio Simas)
Meet the apartment of architect Ana Moura in São Paulo. Credit: Denilson Machado.
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Ana Moura's Project.

(Denilson Machado, do MCA Estúdio)
09/15 -

Block Architects Project.

(Júlia Totoli)
Duplex house with an outdoor area full of green Erica salguero, credit to Renato Navarro
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Project by Erica Salguero.

(Renato Navarro)
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Project by Patricia Martinez.

(Fran Parente)
12/15 -

BLOCO Architects Project.

(Joana França)
yellow-mustard-blue-personality-apartment-227-m2-tetriz-architecture-credit-renato-navarro (5)
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Tetriz Architecture Project.

(Renato Navarro)
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Project by Pedro Coimbra.

(Tiago Morena)
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Vivian Reimers' Project.

(Luiza Schreier)
CASACOR Publisher is a content creation agent, developed by the CASACOR Technology team based on the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Yeska Coelho.