What Are The Best Lights For Low Ceilings?
While low ceilings don’t offer the same design possibilities as high ceilings, they are incredibly cosy and help to save on energy bills. Low ceilings are often considered low when less than 2.4 metres high, limiting your lighting options to illuminate your home.
You need to consider several factors to help determine which lighting fixtures are ideal for brightening any room with a low ceiling. At Dusk Lighting, we offer lighting ideas to help maximise any space with a low ceiling.
Factors to consider when choosing lights for low ceilings
Lighting a low ceiling can prove difficult as there are fewer design possibilities and light options. Several factors, such as location, size and style, should be considered to ensure you find the best lighting options for your home.
Location
The placement of your lighting fixtures is crucial when lighting low ceilings. Adding hanging lights will be difficult as low ceilings don’t offer the same amount of space as high, vaulted or sloped ceilings.
If you insist on installing hanging lights, consider the drop length and where you will position it. Avoid installing hanging lights above any pathways so guests won’t bump into them. Instead, hanging lights can be positioned above kitchen islands or dining room tables to create a focal point.
Size
When choosing lighting fixtures for your low ceiling, the light width should be prioritised over the height. As little space is available, a thin yet wide lighting fixture can illuminate a large area without causing too much of a distraction. If you are firm on installing hanging lights, semi-flush fixtures are a fantastic alternative.
Style
Like all ceiling types, style should be considered when choosing lighting fixtures. Opting for lights that match your decor can help to create an aesthetically pleasing interior, whereas having various styles could make your home convoluted and chaotic.
Rule of thirds
The rule of thirds ensures an even flow of light at all three levels: the top, middle and bottom of a room. Installing ceiling lights on a low ceiling may cover a lot of the room as it is smaller; however, some corners may still be dark. Adding different lighting fittings, such as wall lights or table lamps, can help ensure light flows evenly.
Lighting ideas for a low ceiling
Once you have considered the above factors, you will have a clearer idea of which lighting fixtures you want to install. Read on for various lighting ideas to illuminate your low ceiling.
Recessed lighting
If you prefer a subtle lighting fixture that doesn’t hang from the ceiling, then recessed ceiling lights are a fantastic option. Recessed lighting is fitted into the ceiling, so very little space is taken up, making your room feel more spacious.
Recessed lights are ideal for those who want a high volume of illumination in their home whilst having little space to work with. If you have any standout furniture pieces or artwork, recessed lighting can highlight these areas.
Track lighting
Track lighting is a perfect option for low ceilings due to its low-hanging length. Several bulbs can be added to a track, which makes it perfect for illuminating larger areas of your room, like kitchen islands and dining tables.
If you like constantly changing your interior, track lighting is simple to install and can be easily manoeuvred, making it an ideal choice. A subtle lighting option, track lighting, can highlight any focal point.
Flush lighting
Flush lights are very similar to recessed lights due to their proximity to the ceiling. While recessed lights are built into the wall, flush lighting is attached to the ceiling. Comparingly, flush and recessed lights are perfect for low ceilings as they take up little space.
If you prefer your lights to hang slightly, semi-flush lights are the perfect alternative. Semi-flush lights leave a small gap between the ceiling, but not enough of a gap to protrude into the room. Both flush and semi-flush lights are ideal for making any room more spacious.
Layered lighting
Opting for layered lighting will help add character and depth to any room. Layered lighting is the concept of using several light sources in one particular room. While ceiling lights provide most of the light to a room, some areas, such as corners, may still be dark.
Layered lighting ensures light is balanced across the room at all levels without dark spots. Wall lights, floor lamps and table lamps are ideal options for layered lighting, as they can be easily moved to brighten dark or social areas. Installing wall lights that are up lights are a great addition for sending a wash of light across the ceiling. Uplighting is a great option for highlighting any architectural features in your home.
Pendant lighting
Pendant lights are not best suited for low ceilings; however, there is no rationale that you can’t have them. They may obstruct guests if hung above pathways, but they are suitable for above a kitchen island or dining table where no table will cross them. If you opt for a pendant light, you must contemplate the drop length.
Light up low ceilings with Dusk Lighting
If you have a low ceiling and are stuck on which lighting fixtures are best to illuminate your interior, this guide should have sparked some imaginative solutions for you to consider. At Dusk Lighting, we stock several fantastic lighting options for low ceilings to maximise your home’s potential. Why not shop the latest range of rise and fall pendants or modern recessed ceiling lights?
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