How many lumens do I need for a living room?

1,500 to 3,000 total lumens for a 16 to 20 square metre living room, split across two or three sources rather than one ceiling fitting. Reading corners want a focused 400 to 800 lumens directly on the page; ambient mood lighting sits at 100 to 300.

Warm white or cool white bulbs?

2700K (warm white) suits living rooms and bedrooms; reads as candle-warm, helps wind-down. 4000K (cool white or neutral) suits kitchens and bathrooms where colour accuracy matters for food and skin. Cool daylight (5000K-plus) goes in workshops and home offices.

How high should I hang a pendant light over a dining table?

75 to 90cm from the top of the table to the bottom of the pendant. Lower if the table seats four; higher if six or eight, so people across the table see each other. The lamp should not sit in the eyeline of anyone sitting down.

What size rug fits under a sofa and chairs?

For an all-on-the-rug arrangement, the rug runs at least 30cm beyond the sofa each side. For front-feet-on-rug (the most common UK choice), the rug sits about 20cm in front of the sofa. Below 160 x 230cm and the rug looks marooned; a 200 x 300cm size suits most three-piece living rooms.

Which bulb lasts longest: LED, halogen or filament?

A quality LED (Philips, Osram, IKEA) runs 15,000 to 25,000 hours at one-fifth the energy of halogen. Halogen lasts 2,000 to 3,000 hours and runs hot. Decorative filament LEDs (the visible-coil ones) give the warm look without the heat or the every-other-month replacement.

How do I layer lighting in a room?

Three layers: ambient (the wash from a ceiling fitting or pendant), task (reading lamps, under-cabinet, desk), accent (picture lights, table lamps, plinth lighting). Put each on its own switch or dimmer so the room reads differently morning, evening and movie-time. Aim for at least one source per 6 square metres.

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Lighting & Decor

Updated 31 May 2026

Light, mirrors and the small accessories are what stop a room reading half-finished. We list thousands here from The Range, Robert Dyas, Very and a long list of other UK retailers. read more…