Living Room & Bedroom Lighting Design Melbourne
Create versatile living spaces that adapt to every moment. From bright and energising to warm and intimate — all controlled at your fingertips.
Lighting That Adapts to How You Live
Your living room and bedrooms need to work in multiple ways throughout the day. Bright and welcoming in the morning, perfect for TV watching in the evening, soft and relaxing at bedtime. The right lighting design makes these transitions effortless.
At Power Amp Electrical, we specialise in creating flexible lighting schemes for living spaces across Melbourne. We combine ambient downlights, task lighting, and feature elements — all dimmable and controllable so your lighting adapts to every activity and mood.
Whether you\'re renovating, building new, or simply frustrated with inadequate lighting, we\'ll design a solution that\'s functional, beautiful, and perfectly tailored to how you actually use your space.
The Three Layers of Living Room Lighting
Professional lighting design combines three distinct layers to create a versatile, well-lit space.
Ambient Lighting
General, overall illumination from recessed downlights or ceiling fixtures. This is your base layer — dimmable so you can adjust brightness for different activities and times of day.
Task Lighting
Focused light for specific activities like reading, working, or hobbies. Table lamps, floor lamps, or directed downlights that provide bright, concentrated light where you need it.
Feature & Accent Lighting
Decorative lighting that adds drama and atmosphere. Pendant lights, wall sconces, LED strip lighting, or spotlights that highlight artwork, architectural features, or create visual interest.
Lighting for Every Scenario
With proper lighting design and controls, your living room adapts instantly to any activity.
Movie Night
Dim the overhead downlights to 20%, activate LED strip lighting behind the TV to reduce eye strain, and leave pathway lighting on for safe movement.
Reading Time
Bright task lighting from a floor lamp or reading light, with ambient downlights dimmed to create a cosy background.
Entertaining
Warm ambient lighting at 60-80%, feature pendant or chandelier on, accent lighting highlighting artwork or features.
Relaxing Evening
All lights dimmed to 30-40%, or use a dedicated "relax" scene that combines soft overhead lighting with gentle accent lights.
What We Consider When Designing Your Lighting
Room size, ceiling height, and layout
Natural light from windows and how it changes throughout the day
How you use the space — TV watching, reading, entertaining, working from home
Furniture placement and where you need task lighting
Architectural features you want to highlight
Desired atmosphere — cosy and intimate vs bright and energising
Smart home integration preferences
Smart Lighting Options
Take control of your lighting with smart switches, dimmers, and automation.
Smart Dimmers
From $150 per dimmer installed
Voice-controlled or app-controlled dimming for your existing lights. Works with Google Home, Alexa, and Apple HomeKit. Adjust brightness, set schedules, and control remotely.
Scene Controllers
From $350 per controller installed
Pre-programmed lighting scenes activated with a single button press. "Movie", "Reading", "Entertaining", "Bedtime" — each scene adjusts multiple lights to preset levels.
Smart Bulbs
From $50 per bulb + installation
Colour-changing LED bulbs that you control via smartphone app. Change colour temperature from warm white to cool white, or add colour for special occasions.
Motion Sensors
From $200 per sensor installed
Lights that turn on automatically when you enter a room and off when you leave. Perfect for hallways, walk-in robes, and kids' bedrooms.
Living Room Lighting FAQs
How many downlights do I need in my living room?
As a general guide, you need one downlight per 1.2-1.5m² of floor space. A typical 20m² living room might have 12-15 downlights. However, if you have large windows providing natural light or you're using table/floor lamps for task lighting, you might need fewer. We calculate exact requirements during our consultation based on your specific space and how you use it.
Should living room lights be on dimmers?
Absolutely. Dimmers are essential in living spaces because your lighting needs change throughout the day. You want bright, energising light in the morning, softer light for TV watching in the evening, and low light for late-night relaxation. Dimmers also save energy and extend bulb life.
What's the best colour temperature for living areas?
We recommend warm white (2700-3000K) for living rooms and bedrooms to create a cosy, relaxing atmosphere. This mimics the warm glow of traditional incandescent bulbs and is flattering to skin tones. For home offices or study areas within living spaces, you might prefer neutral white (3500-4000K) which is more energising.
Can you install smart lighting?
Yes. We install smart dimmers, switches, and bulbs that work with Google Home, Alexa, and Apple HomeKit. You can control lights via voice commands, smartphone apps, or automated schedules. Smart lighting is perfect for creating scenes like "Movie Mode" or "Good Morning" that adjust multiple lights at once.
What if I have limited ceiling space for downlights?
If you have a concrete ceiling or shallow ceiling cavity, we can use surface-mounted LED panels, track lighting, or ultra-slim downlights designed for shallow cavities. There's always a solution — we just need to assess your specific situation.
How much does living room lighting cost?
A typical living room lighting upgrade costs between $2,500 and $5,000 depending on room size, number of fittings, dimmer options, and whether any switchboard upgrades are needed. Smart lighting integration adds $500-$1,500. We provide detailed, itemised quotes so you know exactly what you're paying for.
Ready to Transform Your Living Spaces?
Get a free, no-obligation quote from Melbourne\'s residential lighting specialists.