We recently published an article on lighting media rooms for the sports fans among us, but we do definitely understand that many folks are not sports fans. However, they still deserve great lighting in their media rooms too–because everyone does! So today, we’re going to spotlight some strategies for the perfect lighting for watching TV and movies, even if you don’t care at all about sportsball.
Layering your lighting is still crucial for the media rooms of non-sports fans. Having lots of options is great because you can easily alter the mood of the room just by deciding which fixtures to have on in which configuration and how bright they should be. You can also see better, so you won’t feel eyestrain or discomfort when you’re 6 hours deep in a marathon of How the States Got Their Shapes. (A personal favorite.)
There are three main lighting layers to consider:
1. Ambient lighting. Ceiling flush and semi-flush mounts, chandeliers, large pendants, track lighting and ceiling fans with light kits are some of the main ways to get ambient lighting. Recessed cans are also an option.
2. Task lighting. Table lamps are the most common source of task lighting for the living or media room. They’re stylish and helpful for tasks like reading, crafting or doublescreening it while watching shows that demand to be talked about in the moment. Floor lamps can provide task lighting as well as ambient lighting.
3. Accent lighting. These fixtures bring small, often adjustable, bursts of light to little areas that need it. Wall sconces and smaller pendants are popularly used, but specially-focused recessed cans and track lighting can serve as accent fixtures too.
You should also consider using dimmers on your light fixtures. Dimmers are especially easy to add to lamps, but are available for wall sconces and overhead ambient lights as well. Do like at a movie theater and dim the lights before the show starts to let people know it’s time for the main event. Or keep just one light on and turned down low if the movie is scary and you need to know that a monster won’t get you.
Let’s take a look at some media rooms, completely devoid of sports decor, that would make a perfect place for watching TV or movies. We can also help you get the lighting looks from each photo.
The wall sconces here spotlight the structures of the walls. (For a similar look, try the Hinkley Surrey.) There’s a showbiz-style spotlight in the corner that might be a fun, if bright and narrowly-concentrated, way to add more light. A great variety of color comes from the one large sectional couch and the two ottomans, while the two tables are a great place to stash drinks and snacks.
This media room is just stunning. Fun, colorful, cozy, featuring lots of soft surfaces and multiple tiers of seating so everyone can see–there’s a lantern-style wall sconce (an outdoor wall light would work super well here) over on the wall and recessed downlighting in the ceiling.
Big, comfy red couches provide a spot of light in this otherwise black and grayscale room. Wall sconces that shine light both up and down bring more illumination but can easily be dimmed or turned off to make the TV the focus of things.
Those who love Mediterranean style will love this beautiful, rich and warm media room’s style. I love the torchiere-like sconces and the couches look so cozy. The Kalco Santa Barbara is a good sconce idea for a room like this.
Media rooms don’t need to be big! This one is still oh so stylish, though, thanks to the comfy chairs, helpful side tables, plus zebra stripe rug, mini gallery wall and lots of lighting: a floor lamp, a statement ceiling semi-flush mount and a few downlights too.
This media room features a lunar motif and round brass side tables, along with a super tufted couch and large ottoman. The flush light even keeps the circle theme going! I like the industrial look of the sconce, too. Get the look of the flush mount with the Minka Lavery Harvard Court and the sconce with the Troy Lighting Brooklyn.
This room also incorporates some stunning light, such as a starry ceiling and colorful LEDs. The futuristic purple spotlights shine on the large mural, which appears to be of the USS Enterprise flying over Earth and therefore earns my approval. Also earning my approval is the picture on the TV: it’s from the David Tennant era of Doctor Who (my favorite). The sconces add to the out-of-this-world appeal. Get the look with the George Kovacs Saber.
A warm, welcoming, stylish home theater adorned with four Uttermost Alita pendants. They have up and down lighting, so you can see the coves are lit as well as the rest of the room. I love the flower-shaped ottoman pair! For some reason, this warm scheme makes me think of a coffeehouse.
If you need any help lighting your media room, feel free to ask us–we’re on social media or you can call 1-866-688-3562!
Photos from Houzz. Photo credits in alt tags.
