I’m pretty unimaginative. I’d put a lamp on either end of the sofa and one between the 2 chairs. Maybe some sort of sconce on the stairwall to shine down into the FR.

Could you put an articulated lamp or two on the bookcase? Something similar to this

Assuming two table lamps on either side of sofa. What about a floor lamp between chair and bookcase, or can a small lamp sit on the bookcase? Since the stairs are open, can you leave a light on in that area? Back hallway? FWIW, I have lamps in every room but the master bedroom on timers, so the house starts getting lights turned on at dusk. They stay on until after we go to bed since we are early to bed. I also have one that comes on early in the morning, so that when I get up and it's still dark, I can see in that room when I take the dogs out.

Can one of the sofa end tables be moved between the chairs for a table lamp? Then you could put a floor lamp on the side of the sofa against the solid wall and a table lamp on the other end of the sofa. Or vice versa, whichever looks better with the staircase. On the small wall that abuts the deck, could you fit a demilune table with a small lamp? Or on the opposite wall that adjoins the back hall?

I like all these ideas.

Allison - wonderful idea about the timers. There is a switch that controls about half the lights in the room, but not along the sofa wall which is prime lamp area. The sofa wall could also support one or two sconces - although the stairway is open to above there is wall space below the stairs.

I can add an end table. What I didn’t draw in was 1000 children’s toys, a big blue plastic table, a play kitchen, a trampoline, etc - so the sketch is less cluttered than the room - but all that stuff can be rearranged.

An arc floor lamp or two?

Are there floor lamps that do adequate up lighting but look good? Like not like a $10 torchière from ikea? Or just roll with the torchiere look?

Due to small child and large dog, I think those big arc lamps are out. They would quickly be smashed to dust in a climbing incident.

I have a 1970’s torchiere that was my parent’s. It is the most wonderful light! This one has a halogen bulb . The light ” comes from nowhere” if that makes sense. It is soft and bright and the room glows but its all subtle even on high. I am a huge fan of a great torchiere.

On the left in this picture.

I would also give serious consideration to a couple of floor lamps. Torchiers are great for a dark corner. and if you can find a floor lamp that has 3 lightbulbs that can be switched on in different combinations via the lamp switch that can give you different levels of light.

I thought the stairs were closed below, but since open to the stairs, light will come through to the family room. Almost suggested sconces, but they might be hard to install. Any plugs that were on a switch in our last three houses - the switch only works one of the outlets in the plugs, not both top and bottom. Have you tried to see?

Be forewarned, all timers are not created equal. The ones I just purchased at Lowe's are by Utilitech (don't currently see on website). They are quiet. The ones I replaced you could hear, similar to fingernails on a chalkboard to my sensitive ears.

Instead of timers, you might want to look into LED Smartbulbs. I have 2 in the LR and now I want them everywhere. I bought these, which are equivalent to 100 watts. I can control them from an app on my phone and/or from Alexa. You can program them to turn on and off at certain times, too.

I can adjust the brightness in any range from 10% - 100%. They also have a range of colors. I don’t see myself ever using the colors. However, my sister and DBIL were at my house for a football game just after I received them. DBIL and I got silly and had them flash our team colors for a couple of minutes. 😁

I have 2 torchieres in our garage apt and agree they add lovely atmospheric light. one is an ancient student apt lamp like Trail’s and the other is stained glass style. i usually turn on one when a new tenant is due because the light is warm and cozy.

What about battery powered lights? I think it was Sueb who added a wall light in her foyer that was battery powered and looked nice. You could try a couple in your stairwell or elsewhere. Also small ones (like puck lights or strips) in your bookcase might add a touch of extra light shining down in a dark corner. I’ve used battery powered motion lights in a small dark coat closet and they actually work quite well.

I would add as many lamps as you can.. table lamps, free standing lamps, plug in sconces. Lower light directed up at whatever you like. I am a lamp lover!!

I haven't read the other posts.

My living room is approx. 22x13, so somewhat similar to your room. It's actually longer, if you count the dining area which is just beyond a pony wall.

I didn't see if you said how bright or task-directed you need the light to be.

I hate overhead lighting beyond the necessity to quickly and safely illuminate a space. The rest of time I only use table or floor lamps. My living room has two table lamps, one 3-way, the other on a timer. I have a floor lamp in the dining area that I have on in the evening and it contributes to the overall warm light of the space. I have a cute little Target mini lamp on a bookcase that rounds out the light. My walls are a warm white.

I'd put a small table between the two chairs with a 3-way lamp and a lamp at both ends of the couch.

I think the shade makes a huge difference. I have a wonderful floor lamp in my dining area that came with a drum shade. Too much light went straight up and straight down. I much prefer a cone shape to spread the light.

Bunny thanks for this! Interesting point about the shades. The two table lamps I have are metal mushroom-style lamps so although they each take two bulbs they aren’t pulling their weight in the general lighting department as most of hfx light is directed down.

In addition to the specific lamp placement suggestions above, think about getting lamps that have 3 way sockets or getting the sockets on a lamp you already have and want to keep changed out to 3 way. That offers you a range of light intensity and you can create large pools of bright light when all are at highest setting, more intimate lighting or a combination.

I have a north-facing living room in the rainy PNW and it's very dark. I have never used the lower positions on a 3 way light. I have to crank it up all the way for it to do any sort of good.

A picture from mtn’s post .https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6219713/love-this-house-reminds-me-of-one-of-the-video-house-tours#n=16

I’m not a big fan of torchieres but this one looks great!!!

Can someone explain that rug to me?

I think of torcheres as a fad that has passed.I agree w mojomom.

@bbstx - for those bulbs - is the bulb all you need? No special plug on the lamp? I'm a huge fan of timers but wouldn't mind upgrading to more modern technology as long as I don't need a bunch of extra devices.

My torchiere is almost exactly like that one and I have two chairs almost like that one. 😬

I should have had them done when we were working on the first floor several years ago - now I have a long list of projects taking precedence but it’s not a bad idea for the back pocket!

Sorry - them = pot lights

Yes, @3katz4me. All you need is the bulb. If you get the Feit bulbs like I have, here is a YouTube video showing you how to set up the timer.

@robo (z6a), have you looked at the wafer-thin LED ceiling lights? They look and act like pot lights but you can put them in without having to access the area above the ceiling. There are many YouTube videos on how to do it. Search ”installing wafer LED lights” on YouTube.

Thank you @bbstx - going to check it out!!