Acme Tips for Lighting Depression Ceilings

Low Ceiling Lights | Lighting Company UK

Rooms come in all shapes and sizes, and designing the lighting in rooms which take depression ceilings tin can be as challenging – and equally rewarding – as lighting up larger, loftier spaces. If you're trying to effectively light upwardly rooms with less tiptop, whether it'southward a cosy cottage, a modernistic attic conversion, a basement or extension, then you lot will find something useful in this guide.

While in that location is no formal minimum ceiling elevation (except higher up the stairs for safety reasons), the standard height of a ceiling in a newly congenital or renovated abode is 240cm, with annihilation to a higher place 260cm considered to exist a high ceiling. 210cm is the minimum recommended height for a ceiling, and any rooms which are effectually this acme will crave careful planning on how they are lit.

The biggest drawback of a low ceiling is that it can make the room feel small-scale and tight, but in that location are some lighting tips and tricks used by interior experts and hobbyists the world over that help to remedy this and give the illusion of a taller, larger infinite. Then what kinds of lights are well-nigh effective for low ceilings?

Which lights to choose?

Avert Long Pendants (about of the time)

Pendants pose a particular trouble for the vertically challenged room. Without much clearance above to hang, they tin encroach likewise far into your usable space – and become a real headache for tall people. That said, well-nigh ceiling pendants are height adjustable, so if in that location'southward a specific pendant design that y'all can't detect an alternative for, and so yous might be able to go away with a pendant low-cal which has been installed with a short drop, peculiarly pendants which are wider than they are tall, as per the example below.

Innermost PORTOBELLO Modern Ceiling Pendant Red Gloss

Does that mean that longer pendants can never be used with low ceilings? Not at all, there are some situations which are the exception to this rule and allow for a long pendant to exist used without taking up usable space. This is usually over a piece of permanent article of furniture, such as a kitchen isle, dining table, or bedside tables. Calculation pendants in this way can extend the graphic symbol of that part of the room by making it a floor to ceiling "unit of measurement" where the combination of these elements can create an effect stronger than the two tin make separately.

Below, the interior designer has made clever use of a multi-functional space, whilst tying the theme together with the same lighting. The light over the dining table hangs much lower, while they have shortened it in the sitting surface area.

WOODSTOCK contemporary black ceiling pendant light - large

The large entreatment of pendants comes from their stunning designs and variety – ofttimes existence described as jewellery for the ceiling.

However, when information technology comes to general lighting, depression ceilings don't have to miss out on the all-time adornments as we offering a huge range of flush, semi-flush, and dual mount decorative lights to requite class and way to fifty-fifty the nigh diminutive rooms. Only which is right for yous?

Affluent and Semi Flush lights

Far from being a compromise to hanging lights, flush and semi-flush fittings tin offering a huge array of designs and shapes which are not e'er achievable with pendants. Their presence can give the room a fundamentally unlike grapheme, and they are often used in rooms even with higher ceilings for design reasons alone.

Flush lights have their main majority flat against the ceiling and are commonly the first place to look when working with ceilings that don't afford much height. They generally have a larger "footprint" than other ceiling lights in order to match the same brightness and size without taking upwardly much vertical infinite.

Linspiration Lighting JUXTA Large 9 Light Flush Ceiling Light Matt Black, Antique Brass and Champagne Globe Shades

Semi flush lights are similar to affluent light but have a short stem to suspend them just below the ceiling. This is generally fixed and does not permit the light to motion or swing. Semi-flush lights offering more opportunities for extra decoration, often taking elements similar to the style of pendant lights, and offer an excellent compromise betwixt hanging pendants which are too depression and affluent lights whose designs are express by being flat on the ceiling.

Flush and semi-flush lights can be found in every type of fashion, from traditional catamenia designs to sleek and ultramodern. Their unique shapes and functions tin be a cornerstone of the ornamentation in your room along with providing fantastic utility and light coverage.

COLLIER semi flush fit brass ceiling light with opal glass (medium)

Spotlights

Spotlights are a versatile and often adjustable solution to lighting upwards low ceilings. They tin can be used in multiples to attain ambient or general lighting,  or are very effective at providing characteristic or job lighting in a certain spot.

Spot lights tend not to encroach besides far into the space where they are installed, and can offer a huge array of different configurations to achieve the ornament and lighting that is wanted. There are individual spotlights which are ideal for spacing the lighting throughout a room or highlighting specific features, and spotlight bars which house multiple lights and can requite a cohesive "principal" light which is nevertheless able to be adjusted and pointed where necessary.

One of the most effective uses of spotlights is to light upward rooms which have both low and sloping ceilings (such equally loft conversations, which are explored in detail later in this blog). They can be mounted safely on most angles which other lights would not exist able to manage, but still get out the majority of infinite usable.

SAL 4 light ceiling spotlight bar in black finish

Recessed Spotlights

Recessed lights have most of their components set into the ceiling or wall, with the light source sitting flush with the surface, or with a small lip. This makes them the most space-saving solution to rooms with low ceilings, yet they besides have the most limited opportunities for calculation design and ornament.

Recessed Spotlights & Down Lights

I of the biggest issues to be aware of with recessed lights is the way they collaborate with your ceiling insulation. Recessed lights cannot be covered by insulation as they run a risk overheating – even highly efficient LEDs which run at a much lower temperature are not able to be covered for this reason. Because of this, information technology is common to experience draughts or like problems as cipher is in the way to prevent cold air from flowing through the pocket-size gaps in the ceiling cavity. It is important to consult your electrician on what would be advisable for your ceiling, particularly in regards to burn down regulation.

Some other choice to consider here is surface mounted spotlights such equally the Linspiration Retrospot range. These come up in various lengths to match your ceiling height and have accompanying adjustable spotlights to help provide a cohesive theme in the room.

Linspiration Lighting RETROSPOT 1 x GU10 Surface Mounted Spot Light Sand Black

Common Depression Lighting Projects

Cottages

Cottages are known for their cosy, charming rooms which are oft characterised past lower ceilings. The Lighting Company is based in Minehead in Somerset, nestled amid hundreds of picturesque villages dating as far dorsum equally medieval times. With all of these unique buildings on our doorstep, many of which accept used our lighting and communication in refurbishments, we have developed a groovy understanding on what kinds of lights work best in beamed cottages.

For cottages in which you desire to keep a traditional feel, in that location is a vast and varied pick of period flush lights to make a characteristic out of a low ceiling.

Those following a medieval or gothic style can find fittings which gloat wrought fe and striking arch shapes to keep a cohesive grapheme throughout the building. In that location are too a plethora of Jacobean and Tudor style lighting to consider, ranging from nighttime metal to contumely and pewter, and with fluted pillars and scroll motifs to fit the era of the surrounding cottage.

KYLE rustic semi flush ceiling light with bronze fitting and butterscotch onyx shade

You can keep a traditional await with a more modernistic era of lighting with an early on-to-mid-century Fine art Deco theme can find bold geometric lights in brass with white glass globes which fit naturally with other elements of art deco design besides as complementary wall lights and lamps to build a compelling narrative throughout your home. Our selection of flush Tiffany style uplighters also offer excellent opportunities to add colour and texture to a ceiling with ornate patchworks of leaded glass.

If you are in an erstwhile cottage which has not been rewired in the last twenty or so years, it may exist of import to discover a double insulated lite which does non need an earth wire. This is crucial as information technology provides an extra layer of protection against electrical faults.

Information technology is worth knowing about the possibility of changing lights in listed buildings, as particularly old houses may accept rules well-nigh what things you can modify. Generally, loose items such as furniture may not be covered by the list process and are costless to be changed past the owner. Things which are directly attached to the building, such every bit the electrics and lighting, may need listed building consent, and this will need to exist confirmed before any work is done. Specialist advice should always be sought when planning changes to electrical services in a listed building so that the work tin can be carried out in a style that does not damage the historical significance of original features.

Attic/Loft conversions:

Whether information technology'southward an extra bedroom to a home role, loft conversions are a popular mode to capitalise on the space within your home. Adapting your attic space can as well bring unique challenges when it comes to lighting – having to contend with both low ceilings, and slanted or apex ceilings.

For taller angled ceilings, this is easier to overcome as near of the time pendants with flexible cords/bondage can happily hang down even when fixed onto an angle, and provide excellent cardinal lighting without taking upwards too much space overhead.

Pendant Lights suitable for every room in the home

Broad flush fittings which follow the shape of the ceiling are probably non the obvious choice when the angle of the ceiling is not horizontal, and nearly semi-affluent fittings tend to follow a similar limitation – sticking out at an angle rather than hanging straight down.

A solution which can overcome this challenge is to employ adaptable spotlights which can recoup for the unusual fixing angle, or spotlight bars which run parallel to the sloping ceiling and provide a flexible and comprehensive source of light. These come in a huge array of designs and configurations meaning information technology'south possible to find something to lucifer merely about any style from traditional ornate brass to sleek and minimalist.

Another solution, which can be used on its ain or aslope ceiling spotlights, is to make use of uplighters (whether information technology is table lamps, floor lamps, or wall lights) to shine line upward onto the ceiling where it will reverberate throughout the room. This is a good way to tackle shadowy corners in rooms of every shape and pick out those primal architectural features, and should be considered a fundamental tool when it comes to rooms which struggle with typical overhead lights. Wall uplighters are a great permanent addition to balance the spread of light, and movable lamp uplighters allow for the maximum amount of flexibility and diverseness at a moment'due south notice. Each of these methods is a currently underutilised manner to add layers of overlapping calorie-free and elongate the infinite as a whole.

2 other difficulties which are common to loft conversions are having the electric services in the right place to install permanent lights where you desire, and making the all-time use of wall space with lighting. We have diverse solutions on offer to overcome catchy wiring placement, such every bit wall lights which can plug in to electrical sockets:

WALTHER wall light in brass with pink shade

Or what about some first-class multitasking wall lights? These pack enough of utility and design into the aforementioned space by combining shelving and phone charging ports with stunning light to illuminate your space.

BOX wall light in white finish with USB charger and shelf

Elevation Tips

To finish this guide on lighting low ceilings, here are some top tips to exist as prepared and informed every bit possible, and get the well-nigh out of your depression ceiling lighting:

Have conscientious measurements. We've all bought things online simply to have them exist wildly bigger or smaller than we really anticipated from the pic. An splendid manner to visualise the presence of a light before you buy information technology is to make a cardboard cutting out with the aforementioned dimensions and tack it to the ceiling. You can see how much space will be taken up, and make up one's mind if you lot need to choose a different size before you spend annihilation.

Plan your lighting at dusk. For some rooms, natural lite is in shorter supply and yous may demand to use the lights throughout the mean solar day. Mostly, though, we want our lights to be effectively placed to light upwardly the room when the sun goes down. By planning your lighting at sunset, you can more finer find areas or corners which will need stronger general lighting, and where it volition be necessary to supplement it with additional lamps and wall lights.

Consider using LEDs in lofts. Rut rises, and rooms at the top of the firm always seem to accumulate heat. Using LED lights in lofts is a brilliant style to preclude adding whatever extra heat from lighting as LED bulbs run at a depression temperature and well reduced power consumption.

Use glass to create a clear line of sight. You can requite the illusion of wider, uninterrupted spaces past relying on lights with clear glass shades which don't obstruct your view.

Tall, thin lamps. Vertical lines give the illusion of elevation and this tin be done with your light fittings too! Apply tall, thin lamps to depict the middle upwards (fifty-fifty if in that location's non much infinite upward there).

If there's anything else y'all'd like to know about lighting low ceilings, you can contact our sales team. We'd love to discuss your project with you lot.