@mia @icedquinn well, if it helps people to feel better it helps 🤷♀️
returning to the original topic, maybe just get some cheap ikea spots, some cheap diffuse lighting like the ikea paper balls and try out what looks best. i have such a ball combined with a 1600lm? ("biggest i could find in the hardware store") in a large room and it's pretty nice for general daytime use.
i also have some coffee table lamps i bought used here and there and those are pretty nice for more cozy light. can recommend.