A good rule of thumb for great lighting is to ensure that the lights is layered, which means light sources at different height and sources in the room. For example a pendant light and a table lamp.

I think that table lamps are a fantastic way to get superb lighting in living rooms, specially with matching pairs.

I am an interior designer and I am seeing a huge resurgence in sconces. They provide excellent living room lights, and the bonus is that the sconce takes almost no space.

Most important thing I think is to use dimmable lights. The dimmer is critical for getting just the right mood.

If you living room has anything interesting in it like paintings or furnishings then ceiling spotlights are an excellent way to direct light at these.

Floor lamps, particularly if they are iconic looking, are what professionals use to set uop really nice looking living room lighting layers.

Picture lights work beautiful for living rooms with pictures and paintings on the wall.