Interior Design
How to Light Spaces With Low Ceilings
No room for a big chandelier? See how your overhead lighting can still make a statement
One of the most common design dilemmas when selecting overhead lighting is finding the right fixture for your ceiling height. Lower ceilings, even when 2.4 metres high, can make it hard to find a fixture that creates a sense of style without looking utilitarian.
Here’s the design dilemma: The bottom of the light fixture should be hung no lower than 203 centimetres above the floor to avoid hitting your head when walking underneath. When you have a 2.4-metre high ceiling, that leaves you only 37 centimetres of height to play with for a dramatic light fixture.
Most gorgeous chandeliers and interesting light fixtures do not fit into the 37 centimetres-high category, and if they do, they’re only 37 centimetres wide which can make for a dinky light fixture in a larger room.
Here’s a roundup of some eye-catching options for low ceilings that will solve your low-ceiling woes and won’t leave you longing for those large dramatic chandeliers.
Here’s the design dilemma: The bottom of the light fixture should be hung no lower than 203 centimetres above the floor to avoid hitting your head when walking underneath. When you have a 2.4-metre high ceiling, that leaves you only 37 centimetres of height to play with for a dramatic light fixture.
Most gorgeous chandeliers and interesting light fixtures do not fit into the 37 centimetres-high category, and if they do, they’re only 37 centimetres wide which can make for a dinky light fixture in a larger room.
Here’s a roundup of some eye-catching options for low ceilings that will solve your low-ceiling woes and won’t leave you longing for those large dramatic chandeliers.
This living and play area is a great example of a ceiling height, that while not extraordinarily low, cannot house a large dramatic lighting fixture. The fixture they selected is low profile and still large in diameter to create drama without the risk of a bump on the noggin. The circles in the fixture play perfectly off of the circular holes in the architecture.
The designer of the living space here created drama on the ceiling with wallpaper and a ceiling mounted mirror, however, this same look can be achieved with a light fixture to illuminate the space.
The bedroom is a place where you want to create mood and style. Typically a great boudoir chandelier is a great way to do that, but when you have a lower ceiling you run the risk hitting your head on the chandelier getting in and out of bed. This bedroom is a great example of making use of a gorgeous fixture while still keeping the height constraints in mind.
A great way to address lighting in a hallway with a low ceiling is to create repetition using a flush-mounted ceiling light. This repetitive pattern can create interest and drama when you don’t have the space for a larger fixture.
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Aside from decorative light fixtures, you can also create lighting for low-ceilings using architecture. This bedroom created a dramatic setting using an l-shaped soffit with soft recessed lighting on both the ceiling and wall.
In this living room, rather than using a decorative ceiling fixture, cove lighting was designed to create added interest to the room and illuminate the space.
A few guidelines to remember:
1. The bottom of your ceiling fixture should be no lower than 203 centimetres above the floor, unless it’s hung over a table or island, to avoid hitting your head.
2. To create an eye-catching look in a large space with low ceilings, search for a fixture that is large in width or diameter, but with a lower profile in height like the option shown in this bedroom.
3. For drama and style in a long hallway with low ceilings, try repetition with a stylised flush-mounted fixture.
4. You can also create a unique look with cove lighting and architectural features when there is not space for a large chandelier or decorative light fixture.
When you are dealing with lower ceilings that simply won’t accommodate a large dramatic light fixture, don’t fret! There are a few options out there to help you create a unique environment while still adhering to height restrictions.
TELL US
How have you lit up your low ceilinged room? Share images and your ideas in the Comments below.
MORE
10 Tricks to Visually Raise Your Ceiling
1. The bottom of your ceiling fixture should be no lower than 203 centimetres above the floor, unless it’s hung over a table or island, to avoid hitting your head.
2. To create an eye-catching look in a large space with low ceilings, search for a fixture that is large in width or diameter, but with a lower profile in height like the option shown in this bedroom.
3. For drama and style in a long hallway with low ceilings, try repetition with a stylised flush-mounted fixture.
4. You can also create a unique look with cove lighting and architectural features when there is not space for a large chandelier or decorative light fixture.
When you are dealing with lower ceilings that simply won’t accommodate a large dramatic light fixture, don’t fret! There are a few options out there to help you create a unique environment while still adhering to height restrictions.
TELL US
How have you lit up your low ceilinged room? Share images and your ideas in the Comments below.
MORE
10 Tricks to Visually Raise Your Ceiling
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