15 Best LED Lights For Rooms – Stylish And Energy-Efficient

Light bulbs play a pivotal role in how our homes look and feel. It is essential to provide a  relaxed and calm setting in your house and to project this same feeling of serenity onto any guests visiting your home.

Using specific, high quality LED lights suitable for the room function can be a key factor to set this mood. Every room in the house is unique and naturally needs a unique type of lighting to serve its purpose and distinguish the room. Naturally, the lighting type for the living room is different from that of the bedroom.

According to most consumers, LED lights have become the most popular lighting type due to their energy saving capabilities and durability.

LED lights can help you achieve your dream interior space decor as most LED lights have stylish finishes matching a wide range of interior decorations. Moreover, LED bulbs are energy saving light sources which means less money spent on electricity bills.

And that’s the great advantage of LED lights: Your home will look just the way you like it and your wallet will be spared.

This article goes through the 15 most positively rated LED lights for rooms based on style and energy-efficiency.

1. LED Downlights

The average 10W LED downlight can produce a beam twice as bright as an alternative halogen light consuming up to 55W. This means that by using LED downlights, you are not only getting a better light quality, but are also saving five times the amount of electricity each day.

When selecting LED downlights for rooms that generally tend to get hot, such as the kitchen or laundry room, cool white lighting is the ideal choice.

Nowadays, LED downlights have become increasingly popular for homes due to the warm and relaxing ambiance they cast on the space, especially in living rooms.

Recessed living room LED downlights are perfect for unobtrusive, subtle lighting which can put occupants in a relaxed mood after a long day at work or can make the space setting more comfortable when hosting a party or gathering.

Some examples of LED downlights to use are Globe electric downlights, Sunco Lighting LED downlights, Hyperikon Recessed LED Downlight, etc.

It is recommended to purchase your LED downlights from reputable brands. These brands will guarantee their products and can offer replacement bulbs if the bulbs turn out to be faulty.

For reading rooms, study rooms and other seating areas, warm color temperature (2500K-3500K) LED are the most suitable. The yellow light tones are comforting, making these light types perfect for casual settings.

For kitchens, recessed lighting with a natural white light are highly recommended (4000K). Natural light improves the kitchen aesthetic and operations by providing an intense light that guides you through cooking and assessing food quality.

For offices, reading rooms, and other workspaces, cool white lights (4100-5000K) are also recommended. Cool color temperatures are ideal for reading and can greatly improve one’s focus, as well as reduce headaches.

2. LED Oyster Lights

Oyster lights are sometimes confused with downlights. They may look the same but while downlights are installed within the ceiling, oyster lights are mounted onto the ceiling.

Oyster lights are also called surface mounts, flush mounts, or ceiling lights.

They are a great choice of illumination for homes with low ceilings, or for specific rooms in the house that have lower ceiling heights. Oyster lights are ideal for bathrooms, bedrooms and living rooms.

LED oyster lights are both energy and cost-efficient.

Unlike downlights, oyster lights are easier to install and replace. They are available in different shapes and sizes and also in a variety of colours to cater to your specific needs.

Dimmable Oyster lights like CLA SURFACETRI can be used in rooms where it’s useful to manipulate the light levels, such as bedrooms.

Other Oyster LED light types have smart lights that are remote controllable. These types can be very convenient if you prefer to control your lights from the couch or bed without going back and forth to the light switch.

One such example of this type of lighting is the CLASMTOYS1 LED Smart White Round Dimmable Tri-CCT Oyster light. The light is also dimmable so you can adjust the brightness level using the remote control.

Again when selecting Oyster LED lights it’s recommended to choose well known brands. High-quality brands give significant warranties and integrated LEDs. Integrated LEDs means the lights are built-in the fixtures and are not replaceable, so once the light fades away, you will need to hire a licensed electrician to replace the whole fitting.

Buying from cheap and unreliable retailers will make you miss out on the warranties and you may not be able to find an electrician to mount and replace the lights for you.

3. Pendant Lights

A pendant light is a hanging light fixture, typically selected as one item in the center of a space, suspended by a cord, chain, or metal rod. Pendant lights can also be used in multiples, hung in a straight line over kitchen countertops and dinette sets.

Pendants come in different shapes and sizes and are designed and manufactured from a variety of materials from metal to glass to concrete and plastic. The variety allows users to select and install a unique type that matches the space and also the budget.

LED pendant lights are energy-saving low voltage types which are also cost efficient.

Too many pendant lights can however ruin the style of the room, special attention needs to be allocated to choose the right style and quantity of pendants.

Pendant lighting can be used all over the house, in kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms, dining areas or in bathrooms.

Pendant lights are available in different types like multi-lights pendants, drum shade pendants, globe pendants, etc.

Drum-shaped LED pendant lights are cylindrical lights in drum shapes, and can be used as statement pieces or as alternatives to glass pendant lighting. Drum shade pendants are often made from a fabric material, which creates a soft diffusing touch within the space. Drum-shaped pendants can be used in various rooms throughout the house to highlight or complement large areas like dining rooms, master bedrooms or living rooms.

You can also install dimmable LED bulbs on these pendants, providing further light control and space allocation.

4. Chandeliers

A chandelier is a light fixture which also hangs from the ceiling, but has different properties from pendant lights.

These types are most commonly used in dining rooms as these are the spaces where most of the time is spent in the house, and is also where guests are hosted. Chandeliers can also be used within other spaces such as living rooms, bedrooms, and patios.

Chandeliers feature multiple lamps, often in multiple tiers, and their purpose is ambient lighting.

When choosing the right chandelier, special attention should be given to the details of both the lighting fixture and the space itself. Details should be set such as the style and design of the chandelier, as well as the type of lighting intended from this lighting fixture. 

Chandeliers are available in various designs, provide different lighting and have different finishes.

It is advisable to choose a chandelier that complements the theme of your room, has a finishing that matches the furniture and interior decor and provides the type of lighting expected.

As always, with LED lights, you need to decide if you want clear white or dimmed lighting.

There are many types of chandeliers ranging from caged chandeliers, globe chandeliers, sputnik chandeliers, cluster chandeliers, etc.

Chandeliers can include uplights and downlights or ambient lights.

Uplight chandeliers, as their name suggests, focus their lights upwards providing a reflected ambiance around the room.

Downlight chandeliers focus their lights downwards and are ideal when you need unobstructed light in the room. They are more suitable for specific areas that require light accentuation.

Chandeliers must be installed at a height to uniformly illuminate the room but also high enough to provide enough space for maneuverability.

5. Table lamps

Table lamps are generally the best options for bedrooms. Although they can also be provided in the corner of living rooms, bedrooms are more suitable locations.

One of the main advantages of table lamps is the capability to provide a soft light which is directed at a specific area, making it much less invasive. This type of light allows for subtle illumination in the room for guidance without disturbing whoever is sleeping in the room.

Table lamps are particularly designed to provide task lighting and serve great purposes for bedside reading and late night work. Although more common by the bedside, this feature makes table lamps a great advantage to any working space.

6. Bedside LED lamps

Different from table lamps, bedside lamps are typically small in size and located 19 to 21 inches from the top of the mattress.

They are designed for bed readers and for soft, directed illumination during the nighttime without waking up your partner and are often dimmable.

There are many types of stylish bedside lamps to suit your requirements and style including the wireless Philips Hue Go. This little lamp is portable, dimmable, and can project different colours.

You can control the lighting with your voice through voice-controlled electronics such as Alexa, Apple HomeKit, or Google Assistant, and it’s compatible with all smart devices.

7. Sconces

If you do not have enough room for a table lamp or bedside lamp but still want some extra lighting in your bedroom then you should select sconces. They take a much smaller space in the bedroom while providing an elegant look to your room.

Sconces are not exclusive to bedrooms but can also be used in living rooms or dining rooms to add a touch of elegance and even in bathrooms and hallways.

It’s important to choose sconces that match the rest of the room décor. Sconces are quite elegant but they should not be used as primary sources of light. Consequently, sconces should also match the selection and style of the primary source of light. If your primary lighting is clear white then your sconces should also be clear white.

8. LED Clip-on Desk Lights

LED clip-on desk lights are becoming more popular. They’re available in a variety of brands and have different features but one thing they all have in common is that they can be clipped onto a desk, shelf or any other surface allowing you a hands free lighting while working.

Most LED clip-on lights include brightness adjustments, and there are some which allow for colour adjustments to control the colour of the lights, either manually or by using a remote control.

The most popular LED clip-on light is the GooseNeck clip-on light. It has an adjustable neck which you can turn to face any direction or adjust to light a specific corner.

LED clip-on lights are portable which means they can be easily moved around the house, and can also be used while travelling.

Moreover, there are certain types of clip-on lights that are rechargeable for sustained operation.

LED clip-on lights are ideal for students and professionals on the go who need a portable light source that doesn’t burn out easily.

LED clip-on lights provide up to 3000K which is generally sufficient for reading or night time working.

Because of their minimal light output, LED clip-on lights cannot be used as primary sources of light and are only used for a specific purpose.

9. LED Strip lights

An LED strip light is a flexible circuit board populated by surface mounted light-emitting diodes (SMD LEDs) and other components that usually comes with an adhesive backing.

Strip lights are generally used for accent lighting, backlighting, task lighting, and decorative lighting applications. Contemporary LED strip lights are also used for bathroom accents, cabinets and shelves, and cove lighting in kitchens.

LED strip lights are energy-saving and flexible too. They can be bent at 90° angles and are thin enough to fit in tight spaces.

LED strip light features include dimming capabilities and potential to emit different colour outputs.

The back of the strip is fitted with a strong 3M tape, allowing for easy installation by peeling the tape cover and sticking the lights onto a clean smooth surface.

10. Floor lamps

As the name suggests, a floor lamp is a tall-standing lighting fixture placed on the ground. Normally, a floor lamp ranges between 4 feet to 6 feet based on its purpose. Since the light is elevated, it provides an illusion of vertical space, making it a great decorative light for homes.

Floor lamps can be used for a plethora of tasks ranging from providing ambient light while reading, to illuminating living rooms spaces. Floor lamps are stylish and can add some elegance to your room.

Always choose a floor lamp that complements your room decor.

Floor lamps are very easy to install as they only require plugging into a nearby power supply eliminating the need to hire a professional for installation as with other types of lighting.

LED floor lamps can also be cost effective in the sense that they save electricity due to their low power consumption and are cheap to install and maintain.

You can use floor lamps in any room in the house such as the bedroom, dining or living room, while making sure that the light is located and directed away from the eyes.

11. Night Light

A night light is a small, low-power electric light kept on at night for comfort and safety especially for children. Night lights provide enough light to highlight the outlines of objects in a room, but dim enough not to disturb your sleep.

Unlike the types of light used during the day to brighten up the space, night lights are typically only used when it’s very dark in the room. Types with automatic sensors are available to turn the light on all by itself.

They are fitted with a special type of light bulb as they are small in size and provide a very small amount of light in the room.

12. Swing Arm Lighting

Swing arm lighting fixtures are often confused with wall sconces as they’re both attached to the wall instead of the ceiling or they’re floor or table standing.

They are multipurpose lamps that can swing out from the wall when needed and pushed back into their location when done. When looking for a swing arm lighting option, choose the one with an adjustable swing to accommodate its use to the function intended. 

It is essential to make sure the wall and installation is rigid and secure enough to avoid damaging the wall space or the light with repetitive pulling and retracting.

Most conveniently used in bedrooms, swing arm lights can also be fixed in other rooms like kitchens, dining or living rooms, particularly in the corners of the rooms.

Swing lights are useful in the kitchen to provide targeted illumination on operational surfaces and for specific functions. In living rooms, swing lights can be placed in the vicinity of favourite reading spots instead of table lamps.

13. Multiple Light Sources

If you have multiple areas in a room that require direct light levels, the most convenient option is a fixture with multiple light sources. Even though the multiple lights will require more shades for cover and more detailed installation, the resulting output will make it possible to light up multiple areas within the space with directed light where needed.

Another benefit of multiple light sources is dimmability to allow for light level output control at each of the areas of the room.

LED bulbs are the most suitable option for this type of fixture since they are energy saving, provide a high output and are generally highly durable.

Multiple source lamps help you to achieve the maximum number of lumens you require in the space.

14. Portable lamps

Portable LED lamps are a major convenience to many consumers who need to shift their work location throughout the house, during the entire day.

Portable lamps can be easily carried from one room to another, connected and used immediately and even carried and used when away.

Some portable lamps are rechargeable making them a great choice, to avoid worrying about plug locations and availability. You can charge these lamps and use them at convenience.

LED portable lights are better than torches since they’re energy saving and can last longer. They can be plugged into wall sockets during operation or can be charged and used without plugging in.

15. Multiple Charging Ports LED lamps

There is nothing more convenient than having an LED lamp with multiple charging ports. It provides lighting to the space intended and allows charging of multiple gadgets and electronics at the same time.

This can be very practical as a bedside option to charge your phone, to avoid waking up to a drained battery.

Working or studying on your phone also makes this light option very convenient, accessing a high light output and keeping the phone charged at the same time.

Lamps with LED bulbs installed in them consume minimal power output for lighting.

LED lamps with multiple charging ports are ideal to use when camping or when traveling to areas with power shortages or no access to electricity, to maintain both a light source and a power source for electronics, to remain connected even when you’re away.

Clear and Concise

Your questions answered

1. How many lumens should the living room receive?

As the lounge is mainly used for relaxation, living room lighting must not be too bright. 100 lumens per square metre is typically recommended, meaning if your room is 20 square meters then you need 2000 lumens.

2. What colour temperature is best for living room lights?

Warm white light between 2,700 and 3,300 Kelvin is the ideal range for living rooms.

3. What are lumens?

Lumens measure how much light you are getting from a bulb. The higher the lumens, the brighter the light and vice-versa, it is always advisable to check the lumen output when purchasing light bulbs, to make sure the selected light matches the space requirements.

4. What is Kelvin in lighting?

Kelvin is a temperature degree reference used to describe the colour temperature of a light source.

5. What are the best LED lights for home use?

All LED lights are energy-saving and reduce high electric bills. The best light source is one that matches the space requirements as well as your personal style