Lighting Design for the Living Room and Dining Room

A good lighting design combines three types of lighting: general lighting (even room lighting), task lighting (targeted lighting for the dining table, reading area, or workspace), and accent lighting (mood lighting and highlights). It is this interplay—ideally with dimmable lights and a uniform warm white color temperature—that makes a room both bright enough and cozy at the same time.

Key Points at a Glance:

• Three types of lighting: general, zone, and accent lighting.
• Basic lighting: approx. 100 lumens/m² as a rough guideline.
• Dining table: warm white 2,700–3,000 K, dimmable; 150–200 lux for a cozy atmosphere, 500 lux or more for working.
• One light color per room, dimmable if possible.

The Three Types of Lighting in a Good Lighting Design

Well-designed lighting not only provides brightness but also shapes the atmosphere and function of a room. Especially in living, dining, and kitchen areas, the combination of general, task, and accent lighting pays off. It’s important to strike a balance between sufficient brightness and a cozy ambiance—especially during the darker months. You can read more about light quality in the guide “What Makes for Good Lighting?”

1. General Lighting: The Foundation of Every Room

General lighting is used for general orientation and provides brightness for everyday activities—usually through lights that are turned on when you enter the room.

• Brightness: approximately 100 lumens per square meter as a rough guideline (see the guide “Brightness, Lumens & Lux” for more information).
• Wide-area lighting: how the sky evenly illuminates the ceiling, walls, and floor.
• Indirect lighting from LED strips, spotlights, or uplights creates a particularly soft effect.

2. Zone Lighting: Lighting for Specific Activities

Task lighting or zone lighting supports specific activities such as reading, eating, or relaxing.

Reading nook or craft area: bright enough for reading without causing glare—about 300–500 lux, or closer to 500 lux as you get older. Adjustable reading lamps or swivel spotlights are ideal.

Dining table: Brightness and ambiance are key here. We recommend a dimmable pendant light with a warm white light color (2,700–3,000 K) and a wide beam angle, in a length that matches the table. For a cozy meal, 150–200 lux is sufficient; for general use, 200–300 lux; and for reading or doing homework, 500 lux or more. To find out which light fixture, at what height, and at what distance works best, read the guide “Which Light Fixture for the Dining Table?”

Living area with a couch and coffee table: Combine several light sources (such as pendant and floor lamps); indirect lighting behind the sofa or on the walls creates depth. Dimmable lighting offers flexibility for reading, drinking coffee, or watching TV; a warm-white light fixture above the coffee table adds a cozy touch.

Workstation, kitchen island, and counter: Whether you’re working, cooking, or doing crafts, the lighting should be bright enough (500 lux or more), glare-free, and ideally dimmable. The light fixture should hang 75–90 cm above the kitchen island or counter, which is slightly higher than it would be above the dining table.

TV light: The TV shouldn't be the only source of light. Indirect wall lighting—such as behind the TV—balances out sharp contrasts in brightness and reduces eye strain.

3. Accent Lighting: Ambience and Highlights

Accent lighting adds a personal touch to the room:

• LED strips under furniture or behind the TV for soft lighting effects.
• Table lamps draw the eye to decorative items such as vases or sculptures.
• Picture lights showcase art and keepsakes.
• A naturally shaped branch lamp is a work of art in its own right: Our dining table lamps, made from genuine oak branches, also serve as decorative pieces—their warm light creates a cozy atmosphere that extends far beyond the table.

Controlling and Dimming Lights

The key is being able to adjust the lighting to the time of day and your activity—bright for working, subdued for a cozy evening. Our LED strip models can be dimmed continuously using a touchless sensor dimmer, while our LED retrofit models are controlled via a wall dimmer. For integration into a smart home, we can equip the LED strip models with interfaces for ZigBee, Casambi, KNX, or DALI upon request. Also, make sure that all lights in the room have the same light color—warm and cool light side by side creates a jarring effect (more on this in “What Makes for Good Lighting?”).

The Perfect Lighting Combination for the Living Room and Dining Room

• General lighting (~100 lm/m²) using pendant, floor, and ceiling fixtures as the foundation.
• Use task lighting strategically over the dining table, reading area, and workspace.
• Add accents with table lamps, picture lights, or a sculptural branch lamp.
• Brightness and light color can be dimmed and maintained at a consistent warm white.

This transforms the living and dining room into a welcoming, cozy space.

Are you planning the lighting above your dining table? Discover our handcrafted dining table lamps made from genuine oak branches —warm white, dimmable, and each one a one-of-a-kind piece.