There are choices in ceiling lights as well as fans that provide the option of up or down or simultaneous lighting.

If a fan suits your needs and will lessen your HVAC costs, then you can find one with a halogen downlight which will give ample lighting when necessary and dim to a candlelight glow when that's all that's required. I chose halogen downlight fans that also provides separate uplight for a couple of rooms. That would likely be my choice in your setting.

One center light is not adequate in any space, and particularly one the size of your room. Why not have a second ceiling electrical box installed, so you can at least have two reasonably size lights in there? Our family room is 14x26, so we have two ceiling fans with lights on them.

But no matter what you do on the ceiling, you need other lighting. Overhead lights are not warm or flattering to a space. You need lighting down at eye level and seating level.

Is there some reason you don't use this as a real room? With all those bookshelves and a fireplace it would make a lovely family room or library/sitting room. I'm a little confused (not at all unusual). Do you have plans to use this room as more than just a pass-through?

Why don't you have anything on the shelves? I don't understand why you don't use this room either. I like the current fan a lot but would need to see a close up to confirm. It seems to go with the style of the room, which has potential to be gorgeous.

Until you decide to furnish the room, leave the fan alone for now. Lamps should be the primary lighting.

Oh dear. Well, I should clarify. There's a SECOND living room, that we use every day, and it's furnished. We've talked about this room many times, discussed all of the options, and have decided not to furniosh it, at least not in the traditional way. Some side tables and a pair of small chairs *might* be in the future plans, but otherwise, no.

That photo was from the realtor, before we bought the house, so those bookshelves are currently stocked full, and there's a painting hanging over the mantle. But furniture? No.

Our logic is that even if it was beautifully furnished, we would never use it (we have other areas for reading, sitting, watching TV, computing, napping, etc.) and then we'd just have to find a place to store all of that stuff when it came time to entertain.

Back to the lighting question...the current ceiling fan has two Tiffany-style globes that produce almost no functional light, and we think it's ugly, so it needs to go. Adding a second light isn't really an optioon right now, so we're just trying to replace the fan with an attractive, functional light sometime before Thanksgiving. I agree that adding table lamps or floor lamps is a great idea, and will add some lower, more flattering lighting.

So, how low can a fixture be, and do I want uplighting or down?

That explains a lot! I don't have a height for the fixture but as it's not going to be a ceiling fan you could go a little lower as it won't be as dangerous. If it will be over a table when you entertain, you could do a chandy that is swagged in place and lowered for entertaining.

If you don't go that route, I prefer diffused lightening unless you need bright light for cleaning. It's not as much about up or down as it is opaque glass rather than clear.
But if you want a simple answer, up light is less harsh.