5 ways to light a room with low ceilings
It can be difficult to choose the right type of lighting to match the needs of the apartment, house or building you're decorating. A low ceiling is defined when it is less than 2.4 meters high, due to the lack of vertical space to install light fixtures, for example. If you choose to light it incorrectly, it can result in unintended areas of high-contrast lighting, which can provide inconsistent light that makes it harder to see what you're doing - this is especially true in basements and attics, which often don't have much natural light. In this blog post, we'll give you 5 ways to light a low-ceilinged room and make it feel bigger.
1. Install low-profile fixtures
It may seem like an obvious place to start, but we find that many homeowners don't consider installing low-profile fixtures. If you have one or more rooms with low ceilings, we'd recommend looking at recessed lighting, sconces, floor lamps, flat or half-voltage mounts so you don't risk making the room feel smaller than it is. To achieve an even light distribution with recessed lighting, for example, it's a good idea to choose light bulbs with a wide light angle.
2. White ceiling
To utilize the space and maximize the illusion of higher ceilings through lighting, a ceiling in a lighter color - such as white - will make a difference. It will create a reflective surface that allows the light itself to be better distributed, contributing to a brighter atmosphere and thereby enlarging the room.
3. Light above eye level
A good rule of thumb is to install lights above eye level to prevent unwanted glare. When talking about lighting in rooms with ceiling heights between 2.20-2.30, it should be installed at about 1.70 meters.
4. Use more lights
Consider hanging several smaller lights to create the desired effect. When you have multiple lights shining in different directions, the room will feel lighter and more open. Make sure to place ceiling lights at least 3 meters from the wall. Closer and harsh shadows will make your ceiling seem smaller.
5. Think vertically
If you're thinking about hanging light fixtures in a room with limited space, here are some things to consider:
Size: If you choose a suspended luminaire, you should choose a slim design that has more width than height to be placed close to the ceiling.
Placement: Consider installing the lights somewhere in the room where people won't walk, i.e. above dining tables, kitchen islands, coffee tables or similar.
Limit the length of the cable, which can make the light look pendant-like. A ceiling hook can also be an option that will actually maximize the visual impact of the light.
A low ceiling in a room doesn't mean poor lighting, it's more about compromising and thinking about other options.
