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Rooms with unique shapes or features can present a bit of a challenge when it comes to lighting them. This is true with vaulted ceilings especially. In this article, we will explore lighting challenges that come with vaulted ceilings, as well as how to overcome them.
What Is a Vaulted Ceiling?
A vaulted ceiling is a type of ceiling that has an upward sloping design, which creates a more open, spacious feeling in a room. Unlike flat ceilings that tend to rise about eight to 10 feet tall, vaulted ceilings are much higher and usually follow the shape of the roofline.
They tend to have an arched or sloped design since they are taller than traditional ceilings they can soar to heights of 15 feet high or higher. A lot of vaulted ceilings also come with vaulted beams and have ample natural light.
Important Factors to Consider When Lighting a Room with a Vaulted Ceiling
Because of the soaring height of vaulted ceilings, it can be difficult to figure out how to light it without all of that illumination getting swallowed up. When determining which lights to use, consider the following:
Ceiling Slope and Height
Measure the height at its tallest to determine where you should place the fixture. Be sure you account for the angle of the slope, as very steep ones may need directional lighting. Try to avoid smaller LED pendant lights or interior wall lights, as these can look lost in such a spacious area.
Proportion and Scale
Pendants and chandeliers that are oversized work well with vaulted ceilings. For angled ceilings, long and linear ceiling light fixtures are also ideal.
Layer the Lights
To ensure the vaulted ceiling looks balanced and well-lit, layer the lights. Choose hanging pendant lights and recessed lighting for the main ambient layer. Supplement it with task lights such as floor and table lamps, and accent lights like LED track lighting or internal wall lights.
Avoiding Glare and Shadows
By using diffused lighting and positioning the lights strategically, you can prevent dark corners and mellow out any potential glares.
Highlight Architectural Elements
Choose directional spotlights to highlight certain elements, such as exposed beams or textured walls. Choosing cove lighting will also help put a soft glow along the edges of the ceiling to draw out its shape.
What Types of Lighting Are Best for a Room with a Vaulted Ceiling?
When approaching lighting a vaulted ceiling, you’ll need to keep a few things in mind.
Due to the sloped, angled nature of vaulted ceilings, recessed lighting may be difficult to install. To get a similar vibe, you can install surface mounted downlights instead.
For creating a more dramatic look, add in some oversized ceiling lighting. Large pendants and giant chandeliers can add a nice statement to the vaulted ceiling as well.
Track ceiling lights are another helpful choice when lighting a vaulted ceiling. You can line the angle of the ceiling with the tracks, making them versatile for most vaulted ceiling shapes. Another way to accommodate the severe slope of a vaulted ceiling is to use LED strip lights.
Uplights and interior wall lamps can also use indoor up and down wall lights to bring the light up and down the walls beneath the vaulted ceiling. This can balance the illumination and help you avoid bright spots or dark shadows.
Advice on How to Position Lighting in a Room with a Vaulted Ceiling
Where you place and position your vaulted ceiling lighting matters. Improper placement can cast unwanted shadows along the walls, resulting in an unattractive space. Follow the basic tips below to make your ceiling look its best.
Place the Fixture in a Central Location
Put your ceiling light in the middle of the open area when possible. Allow it to hang at least seven feet above the floor itself, helping to avoid head knocks. Adjustable hanging systems may help keep the light in place on the uneven slopes.
Properly Place Recessed Lighting
Recessed and surface mount ceiling light fixtures should be placed between four and six feet apart. A gridlike pattern is preferable. With sloped ceilings, you may want adjustable trims to more easily wash light down the walls.
Wall Lighting Placement
Interior LED wall Uplighters and other indoor wall lights should be placed around five or six feet from the floor. You should also space them around eight to 10 feet apart to ensure even lighting.
Accent Lighting Angles
Use miniature spotlights or directional ceiling track light fixtures at 30 to 45 degrees to highlight beams. For highlighting artwork, you can position the lights 30 inches above the frame at an angle of 30 degrees to avoid any glare.
Layering Lights
To ensure the vaulted ceiling area is balanced and well-lit, be sure to layer your lighting. For ambient illumination, choose a large chandelier or other statement pendant lamp. Accent the beams and general shape of the ceiling with wall sconces along the edges. Finally, place floor or table lamps below for the task layer.
What Is CCT and What Is Best for a Room with a Vaulted Ceiling?
CCT, or colour correlated temperature, is a way to discuss the warmth or coolness of a light. It exists on a spectrum between 1,000K and 10,000K, with warmer colours being toward the bottom and cooler colours sitting at the top. Different colour temperatures belong in different spaces, with domestic settings trending toward warmer lighting.
In a living room, where you want the atmosphere to be relaxing without sacrificing visibility, warm white light is ideal. Taller ceilings can feel cold and cavernous, but warm lights bring a cosy feel to them. Warm lights also complement rustic decor and wooden beams.
Some Common Mistakes to Avoid
When planning and installing your lighting design for a vaulted ceiling, be aware of the following mistakes people commonly make.
- USING JUST ONE LIGHT. Relying on a single overhead fixture can create a sort of spotlight effect. Balance out the light by layering it with indoor wall lamps and recessed ceiling lights for balance.
- WRONG SIZES OF FIXTURES. Opting for fixtures that are too small will cause them to get swallowed up by all of that extra space in a vaulted ceiling. Choose larger chandeliers with bolder designs to make the most of the vertical space.
- HANGING LIGHTS AT THE WRONG HEIGHT. Hanging pendant lighting too high will reduce their impact. Similarly, letting them sit too low can cause a glare or obstruct views. Keep lights at least seven feet above the floor to head off both of those issues.
- CLASHING COLOUR TEMPERATURES. Be sure you are only using one colour temperature throughout the area. Mixing cool and warm lights in equal measure can be hard on the eyes and unflattering to the architectural details and finishes.
How to Highlight Architectural Features
Vaulted ceilings provide the perfect opportunity for creating beautiful highlights and focal points. You can use indoor wall uplighters, strip lights or even downlights to accent the beams in the vaulted ceiling area. Cross lighting can also draw the eye to their design.
For emphasizing the sloped ceiling itself, you can hide LED strip lights in the little coves and ledges. Wide angle wall washing lights also work well here. For A-Frames and peak ceilings, use statement chandeliers to draw the eye upward. Symmetrical spotlights also work well in framing the very top of the ceiling peak.
The materials in the vaulted area also deserve some special recognition. Use warm backlighting to draw out the warmth and rustic nature of wooden elements. Black metal pendants are especially good here. For brick or stone walls, you can highlight their texture by placing them around six to 12 inches from the wall.
Conclusion
Vaulted ceilings are a gorgeous and sought-after feature of a home, but they come with unique lighting challenges that may feel intimidating at first. Fortunately, lighting vaulted ceilings is easier than it looks. In this article, we’ve explored different techniques for creating a lighting design that perfectly complements your vaulted ceiling.
