When it comes to illuminating the spaces in your home, the possibilities are endless. However, with all the varieties available, choosing the right table lamps for living rooms can seem like an impossible task. So many choices can make it more difficult to narrow down your options. It’s as easy to become overwhelmed as it is to be inspired by them all. But don’t despair, we’ve got some tips that will help you navigate the process, find the perfect lighting, and have fun while you’re doing it.

One of the best ways to create a unique look is to mix and match the table lamps in living rooms. Think of lighting as the jewelry of the living room — not as a pair of earrings that have to match but as bangles that go together. This means that living room lamps don’t have to match – but they do have to create a cohesive look and feel.

Let’s begin by considering the different options that need to be considered when choosing lighting:

• Material: brass, bronze, aluminum, chrome, nickel, silver, gold, glass, wood
• Finish: aged, brushed, polished, satin, distressed
• Type of lighting: task, accent, ambient
• Style: contemporary, traditional, transitional, modern, rustic, industrial

Tips for Mixing and Matching Table Lamps for Living Rooms

The next step is to pull from these options to mix and match the lighting in the living room. Here’s a quick tip: start by pinpointing the feeling the living room should have. The answer will help reveal the best pairings.

1) Layer Different Types of Light

Layered lighting is the foundation of a well-lit living room. Layers create dimension, set a mood, and illuminate the spaces that need it. This means living rooms will need at least two types of lighting. Almost all spaces need ambient lighting, so that means you can choose to add task or accent lighting, or both, to the living room.

Hubbardton Forge Lamps

A mix of similar lamps that are not exactly the same creates an eclectic but cohesive look. Take a look at this floor lamp and two modern table lamps for the living room from Hubbardton Forge: What do they have in common, and how do they add interest with their differences? All of them are made of steel, but their shapes are different. The Metra 74 Inch Floor Lamp draws the eye up and provides ambient lighting in the space. The curving shapes of the Fullered Impressions 22 Inch Table Lamp and Stasis 28 Inch Table Lamp enhance the aesthetics of the space.

Visual Comfort and Co. Lamps

In another beautiful pairing, the E. F. Chapman Fluted Spire 31 Inch Table Lamp and John Rosselli Makis 68 Inch Floor Lamp, both from Visual Comfort and Co., feature different finishes but connect in the space with natural paper shades.

2) Coordinate Lamps throughout the Space

It’s important to coordinate lamps throughout the space, especially in open floor plans. In an open floor plan, areas that are traditionally separate rooms form one large space. Generally, the kitchen, living room, and dining room flow together. Consistency in these spaces is especially important.

However, no matter if you are choosing lighting for a large space or a smaller one, the lamps’ styles don’t have to match, but they do have to complement each other and the overall design. The overall design of the room should have a theme to give it a consistent feel that flows.

Regina Andrew Alabaster Lamps

This gorgeous selection of alabaster lamps by Regina Andrew demonstrates the variety and interest you can create in a living room by choosing lamps with different shapes and sizes, but all made with the same material and white linen shades. With all the different shapes and sizes, sprinkly these lovely lamps throughout the living room will give it a pleasing glow.

3) Mindfully Mix Finishes

If you want to mix finishes, that’s okay, but be mindful about it. Our suggestion is no more than four finishes in any space. This can be tricky to do well, so give it a lot of thought before jumping in. Look to magazines, Instagram, or Pinterest for inspiration. For more inspiration, visit our showroom or schedule a virtual appointment, and move the actual table lamps for living rooms around so to see how the finishes work together.

Currey and Company Table Lamps

The eye-catching selection from Currey and Company demonstrates how a mix of finishes can work well together. The different finishes, shapes, and heights give the living room a sophisticated yet simple feel.

Functionality is essential in lighting – so begin by considering how the room will be used. Select table lamps that add the right type of illumination to the living room and while also elevating its visual appeal.