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NY Good Questions: Lighting Suggestions for the Living Room?

7.1couch.jpgDear AT,

I have a lamp crisis!

I can't find any lamps that look good with my sectional sofa.

Our sectional sofa fits perfectly in our small, oddly shaped living room, but leaves almost no room for table or floor lamps.

We're stuck with table lamps across the room or icky overhead lighting, and I'm fed up!...

 
 
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I've been looking at arc-style lamps, but I'm unsure of the scale because of the windows.

My boy suggested sconces, but we can't do anything hardwired and I'm unsure of only having one (as there is no room on the other side of the big window, although there will be a big piece of art on the wall over the sofa soon).

Any suggestions? Please?

Thanks! Kim

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Comments (24)

Please tell me about your small scale sectional I am in lust.

posted by marid22 on July 1st 2008 at 5:37am
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artemide makes some good choices for adjustable floor lamps that have a narrow footprint, but throw lots of light.
tolomeo is the first, but not only style that comes to mind. I can't see how the sofa is situated in the entire room but if there is adjacent wall space, wall mounted swing arm lamps would work well.

posted by patrickmc on July 1st 2008 at 5:44am
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I would get one of those arc lamps. I have a fake one from the 60's. It would arch right over and into the middle.

posted by jenzoe on July 1st 2008 at 5:46am
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My first thought was an arc lamp also--it looks like it could go at either end of the sofa (far right or far left).
What is on the other side of the sofa (the side the photo was taken from)?

Another idea is to get a narrow console table and place it behind the sofa on that wall between the windows.

It seems like the sofa could possibly be turned as well?

posted by ValHalla on July 1st 2008 at 5:53am
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Split up your sectional to make room. It looks crowded as it is.

posted by otis on July 1st 2008 at 5:54am
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What type of artwork? Is it something that could benefit from a cool artwork light? The artwork itself would then become the light source on that wall and provide a sexy indirect glow.

posted by Joey on July 1st 2008 at 5:54am
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How about a big paper lantern hanging from the ceiling right over the coffee table? You could stash the dimmer right behind the couch on that windowsill. Bonus: super cheap! Good luck! Let us know what you choose!

posted by moonpearl on July 1st 2008 at 5:55am
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I know this won't help with creating the amount of light you need, but I would consider picture lighting above your (soon to be) artwork. One floor lamp will light the space but I think the addition of a few smaller lights will really make it seem more inviting.

posted by jick on July 1st 2008 at 5:56am
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http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=120&f=4232&viewall=1

inexpensive, and a gorgeous color......bahaus is more modern, but a floor lamp too.

http://www.cb2.com/pillows-throws/accessories/v

pillows, and a throw............artwork or paint 6 circles(dinner plate size) of different colors on the green wall.

http://roomandboard.com/rnb/collection.do?method=get&id=377458&cat=91552828&camp=HP04&attr=slimTables

a floor lamp's base will fit between one of these "slim " tables, and the couch edge.

posted by maude on July 1st 2008 at 5:57am
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I would slide the couch off of one of the walls just enough to insert a thin console table and then you can have your pick of your favorite table lamp and put a small stack of books up there as well.

posted by amt230 on July 1st 2008 at 5:58am
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Also - CB2 has this floor lamp that I think would fit the room nicely. Plus it's on sale for $149.

http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=120&f=2976

posted by jick on July 1st 2008 at 5:59am
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First of all, I think that you can simply change the wall color to make it appear to be bigger. And then get rid off the ottoman. They look way overcrowded.
Then I'd add the CB2 floor lamp. Great idea maude!

posted by imcaffeine on July 1st 2008 at 6:06am
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What about putting some floating shelves up between the windows and putting a small-ish lamp up there?

posted by jesmcb on July 1st 2008 at 6:26am
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I like the paper lantern idea. You could try a cluster of a few different sizes swagged from the corner.

posted by evad on July 1st 2008 at 6:27am
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I'd say a low hanging ceiling lamp - I'm thinking LargeTom Dixon mirror ball (at DWR). I have one and love it. It reminds me of a cozy lounge- bar booth, since you have sort of an enclosed booth like area

posted by kayonyc on July 1st 2008 at 6:29am
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Most sconces sold at places like Ikea, Crate and Barrel, and the like are NOT hard-wired--while you screw them into the wall, they still have a cord you plug into a standard wall plug. For a living room (unless you require task lighting), I would probably add a few light features that have a decorative element see this for an example. And I agree with the earlier poster; I would keep the ottoman in a different spot in the living room if possible to open things up a bit. Good Luck!

posted by deneph on July 1st 2008 at 7:01am
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I agree with the suggestion for sconces - sometimes ikea has nice ones, or c&b or restoration hardware for plug-in options. Or if you're able, hard-wiring in some lights would really be fantastic.

posted by anninva on July 1st 2008 at 7:24am
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why don't you take the corner of the sectional on the lefthand side and put it on the far left end and put an end table in the new empty corner with a lamp on it? That way guests will have a place to put beverages. I can imagine it's uncomfortable sitting in that corner spot anyhow.

My cousin has overhead lighting with 5 bulbs that turn and face the ceiling like these: http://www.thefurniture.com/store/images/LiteSource/LS_FL_9486.jpg but in all black coming from behind the sofa. It's nice soft lighting, and I actually wouldn't mind it myself. I'm getting this next for my living room:http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60096014 it sets a nice soft glow in dark corners. You could try that as well either in the corner of the sectional or on an end.

posted by iheartmini on July 1st 2008 at 7:32am
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Another option you could look at would be can lights (also available from cb2 amongst others) to be placed on the floor behind the sofa, or off to one side.

http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=120&f=3832&q=can light&fromLocation=Search&DIMID=400001&SearchPage=1

posted by jick on July 1st 2008 at 7:44am
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Personally, I think this would make a great addition to your space:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60103854

Plus, it's a bit cheaper than some of the other options.

I also have to agree with your boy - maybe some scones with tea candle holders for some softer/mood lighting!

posted by cptnruthless on July 1st 2008 at 7:51am
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Thanks everyone!

Unfortunately, rearranging won't work as the boy insists the couch faces the giant TV (which is situated about where I took the picture from) and there is the fireplace to contend with. But I love the ideas you gave, like the slim tables and using picture lighting or shelves, and those can lights are cool (why haven't I seen those before!). You guys rock!

PS-Marid22, the sectional is from Carolina Chair. The only place in the world to get a small scale sectional, I think! :)

posted by kimmersk9 on July 1st 2008 at 10:26am
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i would do two wall mounted sconces on the wall space between the windows (you can get non-hardwired ones) with swing arms... I love the artemide tolomeo lights or pottery barn has a few good choices:

http://www.potterybarn.com/shop/lgt/lgtwal/lgtwalrea/index.cfm?cm%5Ftype=lnav

posted by eebnyc on July 1st 2008 at 3:41pm
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check out this Moorish light fixture, you might like it:

http://www.sainttropezboutique.us/products/lighting/pendants-lighting/moroccan-pendant-01.aspx


Cheers,

Sandra,

posted by sandracohen1950 on February 18th 2009 at 1:10am
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