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Low ceilings are a common fixture in many homes, especially older ones. Sometimes, a low ceiling can make a room seem smaller and more cramped than it is. Proper lighting for low ceilings can help mitigate some of that claustrophobic feeling.
In the article below, we’ll discuss how to incorporate low ceiling interior lighting into your home. We’ll also explore some kitchen, bedroom and living room lighting ideas for low ceilings.
What Type of Lighting is Best For Low Ceilings?Â
No matter your tastes, there are many types of lights you could choose from to light your low ceilings. The best lighting for low ceilings will ultimately come down to what works best in your specific home.
Some of the appropriate living room lights to consider include:
- RECESSED DOWNLIGHTS. Recessed lights, such as flush mount ceiling lights, sit in a cavity in the ceiling, giving them a slimline look. Due to their low profile, flush ceiling lights will remain unobstructive and out of the way. This makes them ideal for rooms with lower headroom.
- SURFACE MOUNTED CEILING LIGHTING. Similar to recessed lighting, surface mounted lights are LED downlights. They shine illumination directly from above and provide excellent ambient lighting.
- WALL LIGHTS. Wall lighting can complement the ceiling lights you choose. They can help move light through the room without taking up any additional space. This is particularly good for smaller rooms that have limited real estate on the floor, since you can avoid standing lamps with a well-placed wall light.
Why Shouldn’t You Use Pendant Lights for a Low Ceiling?Â
The main thing you want to avoid is the inclusion of any pendant lights that hang down too low. This is especially true of pendant lights that are oversized, as they can take up room and make the space seem even smaller.
When you have low ceilings, you are already limited in the amount of vertical space you have to work with. Hanging LED ceiling lights that are too large or too long will take up more of that precious space than necessary. With too much clutter, you run the risk of turning your living space into a cramped and unappealing place to be.
Layering Lights with a Low Ceiling
As mentioned, a wall sconce is an excellent way to light a room with a low ceiling. These space-saving low ceiling lighting solutions free up room and help keep vertical space looking tidy and open.
Wall lights can be used for task lighting in spaces where you do not want to use bulky floor lamps. They can also be used for accent lighting if you want to draw attention to certain areas of the space.
If you do want to use lamps, you can make use of the existing tablespace you already have. Placing a table lamp on a coffee table or a side table will provide you with the illumination you need without creating a cluttered look.
Tips for Brightening Rooms with Low CeilingsÂ
Below, you’ll find a few tips on how to make the most of your low ceiling space:
- LEAN ON LAYERED LIGHTING. If you want to skip using a ceiling light fixture entirely in a very small room, you can use a wall light. Wall lights with a high lumen count can provide plenty of ambient lighting like a ceiling light would give. You can also make the room dimmer and more romantic by opting for wall lights over ceiling lights.
- PAINT IT LIGHTER. Lighter colours do a better job of reflecting light around the room. If your space has dark walls, consider giving it a lighter coat of paint. This will also help give the illusion of the room looking larger and more spacious than it actually is.
- INCLUDE A MIRROR. Similar to the functionality of a lighter colour paint, mirrors bounce light throughout the space as well. This can be a quick and easy way to brighten a room without having to add more lights than you already have.
- HANG SHORT PENDANTS. If you absolutely cannot part with the trendy styles pendant lights allow for, try a shorter one. Choose a pendant light with a smaller drop cable so that it still sits close to the ceiling and won’t get in the way.
- CONSIDER TRACK LIGHTS. Track lights are small light heads that rest on a track. They can be moved and tilted to shine light in different areas, depending on your preferences. Track lights sit close to the ceiling, usually near a wall, so they won’t clutter up your vertical space.
Low Ceiling Lighting by Room
No matter what room in the house has low ceilings, you can find a way to incorporate the perfect lighting style no matter what.
Kitchen Ceiling LightsÂ
The kitchen is a task heavy room, one that needs plenty of illumination to be used safely. Cooking, cleaning and entertaining are some of the most common activities for the space, so it’s important you can see clearly.
If you have a kitchen island without much overhead space, you can skip the low hanging pendant. Instead, opt for recessed or flush mounted lights lined up above the island itself. You can provide more focused task lighting by placing LED string or puck lights on the underside of cabinets or above the counters.
Lounge Ceiling Lights
Living room ceiling lights should be conducive to a relaxing, enjoyable experience. By choosing warm wall lights or ceiling lights, you can create a soft, cosy glow in the room without adding any visual clutter. Your wall lights can also double as accent lighting so you can dress up the room while illuminating it clearly.
Bedroom Ceiling Lights
Bedrooms are another space that should be cosy and inviting. Install a single, short pendant above the bed. Otherwise, you can use recessed ceiling lights with a warm colour temperature and layer them with wall mounted reading lights on either side of the bed.
Bathroom Ceiling LightsÂ
Another task-heavy space, the bathroom requires ample lighting for safety and functionality. Track lights are a good choice if you are trying to light the wall areas but save space. You can also layer the ceiling fixtures with task lights such as vanity lights and shower lights to keep illumination moving throughout the room. Take care to choose properly IP rated lights due to the wet conditions in the space.
Dining Room Ceiling Lights
Low ceiling dining room lighting can feel tricky at first. This is especially true for those used to seeing low hanging pendants in dining areas.
Fortunately, you can still spread plenty of light to dine without a statement pendant overhead. Track lights, recessed lights and surface mounted lights all provide great alternatives. They will shine light directly onto the table so that you can comfortably eat and make conversation.
How To Maintain Ceiling Lights
Maintaining your modern lighting for low ceilings is as simple as it is for any other kind of light:
- REGULAR CLEANING. Be sure to regularly inspect the lights for any debris or dust build-up. Too much of it can prevent the illumination from shining through clearly. If you notice any, simply take a damp, soft cloth and gently wipe it away.
- LOOK FOR OLD BULBS. Check to make sure all of the bulbs are still working and are not dim or flickering. If they are, it is time to change the bulbs to new ones. If you use LED bulbs, you won’t have to replace them that often.
- INSPECT FOR FAULTY PARTS. Wires, screws and casings can come loose over time. Thoroughly check your fixtures for any wear and tear and see to it immediately to prevent loss of function.
Final Thoughts
Having low ceilings doesn’t mean settling for small, dark, cramped spaces. There are many different lighting styles that can brighten a room without cluttering it up. With them, you can make any room with a low ceiling work for you.
Low Ceiling Lighting Ideas
Light up your low ceilings without causing a harsh glare using the LDC735 9 Watt Anti Glare Dimmable Recessed LED Downlight. This downlight is designed to eliminate glare entirely thanks to its deeply set bulb. It pools light down onto the surfaces below it, creating attractive illumination.
The fixture generates 800 lumens of light, making it bright enough to easily light small to medium rooms. The aluminium body recesses into the ceiling, keeping the fixture flush and out of the way. Overall, the fixture measures 85 millimeters in diameter and comes in a white finish with a black internal reflector ring.
Modernise your living space with the LDC723 6 Watt Dimmable Recessed Anti Glare LED Downlight. This downlight features a rectangular shape with three in-line bulbs generating 600 lumens of 3000k warm white light. The bulb sits deeply inside the fixture, preventing glare while providing a beautiful pool of light below it. Each fixture measures 96 millimeters by 46 millimeters in size and is fashioned out of high quality aluminium, finished in white.
Move illumination through the room by layering your ceiling lights with the Leon 8 Watt 250mm Wide Brushed Silver LED Wall Light. This wall light features a rectangular shape, casting 800 lumens of 3000k warm white light over a large area. It measures a total size of 250 millimeters in width by 70 millimeters in height and comes in a sleek, brushed aluminium finish. An opal acrylic diffuser on the top and bottom openings soften the illumination that comes from the light.
Enjoy the look of a statement light in the dining room without taking up a lot of space with the LBL140 36 Watt Ring Design Modern LED Ceiling Light. This modern chandelier has a total of six ring lights placed symmetrically. They work together to shine an ultra bright 3600 lumens of 3000k warm white light. This sturdy aluminium light comes in your choice of either black or white to suit the decor in your dining room. It measures 504 millimeters by 504 millimeters in size.
