How To Put Lamps In The Middle Of A Room . The first, most important step in lighting a living room is figuring out how you use the space. This lamp gives you most of what you have with the combination of a table and a table lamp. Light Fixture Installation Room For Tuesday from roomfortuesday.com Southern living’s design expert phoebe howard recommends choosing reading lamps with a height between 26 and 30 inches. Always use a mix of overhead lighting, floor lamps, and table lamps (and sconces, if you can). To make a room look warm and inviting you need two more.