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Converting your loft space can open up a world of opportunity when it comes to functionality and style. Whether you’re putting together a playroom, a workspace or even a spare guest bedroom, lighting is just as important in that area as it is anywhere else in your home. Much like in any other room of the house, you should be taking the three main types of lighting into account when planning your loft conversion lighting. This includes ambient, task and accent lighting.
Pitched roof lighting can sometimes seem like a tricky thing to navigate, and that’s exactly what lofts usually have. In this article, we’ll give you a few loft conversion lighting ideas and tips to get you started.
How to Choose the Right Lighting for a Sloped Ceiling
Lofts have a unique shape that can make them feel like a challenge to light, but they don’t have to be. When trying to determine how to light a loft conversion with a sloped ceiling, do so with the following in mind.
Understand the Challenges
There are specific lighting ideas for sloped ceilings because there are such specific challenges that are presented by them. Such obstacles include:
- the angular design may limit the kinds of fixtures you can use
- the likelihood of casting unwanted shadows increases
- the additional vertical space that rooms with shorter ceilings do not have may be harder to light
Consider Recessed Lighting
Recessed lights benefit from not having any extra housing like a surface mounted light, nor any long cords such as with a pendant light. This way, you can easily fit the light to the ceiling, no matter what the angle of the ceiling slope might be.
Opt for Adjustable Pendants
If you do want pendant lights, they are still possible to incorporate. That vertical space can be filled with a statement pendant that helps not make it feel so cavernous. By choosing a pendant with an adjustable cable, you can choose the exact height and position it sits at according to the needs of your space.
Consider Track Lighting
Track lighting can just as easily be placed around the ceilings regardless of their angle. Position them in such a way that they shine down where you need them to better avoid shadows.
Add in Sconces
Wall sconces are one of the best loft conversion lighting solutions you can incorporate. They help move light upwards to the high ceiling without taking up unnecessary space.
How to Use Natural Lighting in a Loft Conversion
One of the best loft lighting design tips anyone can give you is to maximise natural light. Natural light can make a smaller space seem larger, which is ideal for the nature of a loft. Beyond that, it can more easily and naturally spread through the room, especially if there are high ceilings.
If you want some privacy in the loft, you can hang sheer curtains that still allow natural light to get in. Similarly, you could add light-filtering window treatments that are still transparent enough for natural light to shine through.
Bring in more natural light by incorporating skylights and windows into the loft alongside any loft conversion LED lighting you may add. Then, optimise its presence by using reflective surfaces. Mirrors and metallic finishes both bounce light around the room, so you can increase your illumination without having to add more fixtures.
Advice on Layered Lighting in a Loft Conversion
Home loft conversion lighting design would not be complete without a layered lighting setup. Layered light consists of three elements: ambient, task and accent. Together, they create a well-balanced and cohesive lighting scheme.
Ambient Light
Your ambient light will be responsible for providing the foundation of light. All other light will then supplement the ambient layer. Ceiling lights, such as pendant lights, recessed lights and spotlights, are common ambient light fixtures in a loft conversion.
Task Light
Task lighting is meant to provide more focused illumination for activities. Wall sconces near reading nooks or lamps on a table are good choices for loft task lighting.
Accent Light
The final light layer is accent lighting. It highlights certain elements of a room while also providing mood lighting. Incorporate LED strip lights, spotlights, picture lights and any other such fixtures to set a moody atmosphere and create focal points.
Ideas on How to Light Different Loft Conversion Types
The kind of loft you have will influence the loft conversion lighting ideas you should be incorporating. What will be considered the best lighting for loft conversions will vary depending on the loft type you have.
Bedroom Loft
A loft converted into a bedroom should feel cosy and luxurious. Accomplish this with dimmable, energy efficient lighting for loft conversions as the ambient ceiling lights. Wall-mounted reading lights provide task lighting without taking up space by the bed. Finally, highlight any unique architectural features with accent lights on sloped ceilings or exposed beams.
Bathroom Lofts
Lofts that have been converted into bathrooms have their own unique needs. Use IP-rated recessed lights or LED panels for the ambient layer. For accent lighting, use LED strip lights along skirting boards and shelves. Finally, put water resistant downlights above mirrors and vanity areas for the task layer.
Lounge Lofts
Make your loft more relaxing and comfortable with a mix of warm ceiling lights providing even, ambient illumination. Floor lamps near seating areas provide nice task lighting and a bit of style. Create focal points in the loft by highlighting books, artwork and other decorative features with accent lighting.
Playroom Lofts
Make the loft convenient and usable for kids with bright, cool LED lighting for the ambient layer. Wall sconces and desk lamps are good for activities like crafts, drawing and homework. Use the accent lighting layer to create playful focal points in certain areas of the playroom.
Gym Lofts
Gyms need bright, clear lighting to ensure safe and effective workouts. Choose cool white lights between 4000K and 5000K for your ambient ceiling lights. Adjustable track lighting can shine illumination onto specific workout zones, while you can highlight mirrors and equipment with accent lighting.
Wall Lights To Set a Mood
LED wall lights are the unsung heroes of dark little corners in homes. Interior wall lighting can bring illumination to areas that are otherwise hard to touch by overhead lighting. Beyond their practical benefits, they’re also spectacular as mood lighting. Wall lights are incredibly versatile both in appearance and where you can place them. Use them as mood lighting or place them above a desk for some task lighting.
They can make for soft accent lights by placing them on either side of a sofa or a bed to give a nice ambiance as you relax and unwind. Wall lights can be decorative in their own right as well, especially when you choose ones that have a wall-washing effect. An LED wall washer fitting shines light back onto the wall itself. This not only increases the amount of illumination but adds an artistic touch to the space.
Install Some Ceiling Lights
When you’re short on natural light, you can turn to LED lighting instead. Pendant lights in particular are a good way to supplement light when you have little to no natural light to work with. Lofts with a low ceiling work well with LED pendant lights that don’t take up a lot of room. This usually works best as semi-flush ceiling-mounted lighting or even LED track lighting. Installing some track light fittings along the angles of the ceiling where it meets the wall can help spread out plenty of light in a small space.
If you want to make a statement with a pendant light on low ceilings, it’s still possible. You can choose a ceiling light with a small drop length that will improve the aesthetic of the space. If you’re working with limited vertical space, you can choose a light that is wider than it is long to give a similar effect.
How to Take Advantage of Mirrors With Loft Conversion Lighting
One of the oldest tricks in the book is using mirrors to reflect light around a space. By incorporating a mirror opposite a light or lamp, you can make the space seem brighter or even appear larger than it really is.
Create the Illusion of More Vertical Space With Lighting
Wall uplighters are a great way to trick the eye into thinking the space is larger than it is. Uplighters shine straight up and are usually used to accent a certain feature in a space. In a cramped loft, you can work with uplighters to draw the eye up the wall instead of down.
Fairy Lights and Exposed Bulbs
Lofts can have a whimsical look and feel by their very nature since they exist in those small little alcoves of a home. One way to add mood lighting and play up the whimsy is to add fairy lights. If you want something a little more sophisticated with your playful touches, you can also use exposed bulb pendant lights. String them up along the pitched ceiling at a uniform height to offset the sharp appearance of the loft ceiling and bring a sense of balance to the space.
How to Use Recessed Lights in a Loft Conversion
Modern interior lighting design would not be complete without a recessed ceiling light or two. Recessed lights installed in angled ceilings can give your space a contemporary look while ensuring that all of the areas in the loft are well lit, thanks to their size and versatility.
How to Use Floor and Table Lamps in a Loft Conversion
In small spaces, take advantage of the furniture or the barren corners in a room by placing freestanding floor lamps and table lamps there. This will help you create ambient light and, in some cases, even task lighting.
Interior Design Tips for Loft Conversions
Lighting design isn’t the only thing to consider when converting your loft space. Below are a few tips to keep in mind to help you create a space you’re proud of.
– Paint Colours –
Generally speaking, it is best to paint small rooms in lighter colours. This is because, unlike dark colours that absorb light, lighter colours actually reflect light. This can make the room seem better lit while also making it appear larger. It is an especially important thing to consider if your loft is on the smaller side. Some colours to consider painting your ceilings and walls include the following, depending on the kind of aesthetic you’re going for.
- White
- Off-White/Cream
- Lavender
- Light blue
- Pale Yellow
- Pastel Green
- Baby Pink
– Furniture –
When choosing how to furnish your loft, it’s a good idea to keep the space in mind. Unlike larger rooms, having a lot of bulky furniture is only going to make the space feel cramped instead of inviting. It is best to keep the furnishings to a minimum in smaller bedroom spaces; choose a bed, a chair and maybe a loveseat for places to sit. Small tables with table lamps can warm it up a bit.
In larger loft areas, you can get a little more creative with furniture. To maximize the space in an open plan, airy loft, you can opt for angular-looking sectionals, simplistic tables and minimalistic chairs. Add some potted plants to a loft that has natural sunlight to make it feel even airier and inviting.
Should You Convert a Loft?
For many homeowners, adding an extension to their home is not just something done for comfort; it is also something done to increase property value. The value of your home can be positively affected depending on various factors. Homeowners in the United Kingdom have the potential of adding as much as £100,000 to their home’s value if they convert a loft, so long as it opens up 24 square meters of additional space on their property.
However, not all lofts will bring the same amount of value. The value of your conversion might vary depending on where you’re located. In general, houses in the North East usually enjoy an increased value of £38,000, while in the South East, you could see an increase in value up to £98,000. For many buyers, curb appeal is a huge selling point, so a loft that adds something visually to the home’s exterior can also run that value up.
Mistakes to Avoid When Converting a Loft
Below are five things to look out for when you are planning a loft.
- Choosing the Wrong Roof
The roof itself will determine the overall design of the conversion. Some kinds of roofs allow for greater flexibility than others. The roof type will also dictate the kind of windows you can install.
After choosing the roof that best suits your vision for the space, you’ll need to figure out how the furniture will be worked into a room of that size and shape. You should also consider the windows you might need, where the stairs will be located and how you intend to wire the area for lights.
- Not Having Enough Headroom
Similarly, you need to make sure there’s enough head space in a loft. The minimum headroom height should be 2.2 meters, though it is generally thought to be more comfortable with a 2.4-meter height. To ensure your loft is well suited for conversion, you’ll need to measure the highest area in the space, typically from the highest point in the room to the floor joist underneath it.
- Getting the Proportions Wrong
You could create a dream space inside your home, only for it to come out looking light a top-heavy nightmare from the outside. Not only could this be an eyesore in your neighborhood, but it could negatively impact the curb appeal and the value of your home.
- Not Taking Lighting Seriously
It is crucial to consider the impact lighting will have on the space. This means both natural and artificial lighting. You’ll want to not only make sure it is well lit but that you can block out natural light when you want to. Everything from light fixtures to blackout curtains should be taken into account. Otherwise, you may end up with a space you don’t enjoy being in as much as you once hoped. Be sure the conversion is approved on the property. Before you create a loft, you may need to check whether your property can accommodate a loft, both in terms of space and legal reasons.
- Can You Convert a Loft Without Permission?
In most cases, a loft is considered an approved addition to a home. This is true so long as it fits certain criteria. It is a good idea to understand the building regulations where you are before beginning. In cases where you do need permission for creating a loft space, you will want to get a builder or architect to confirm the plans you have for it. Otherwise, you can create a loft if:
- The new loft isn’t going to be any larger than 40 cubic meters in a terraced house, or 50 cubic meters for semi-detached and detached houses
- The new loft won’t have any raised platforms, balconies or verandas
- The loft won’t extend above the tallest point of the roof
- The conversion uses materials that look similar to the materials in the rest of the house
- Side-facing windows have to be obscure-glazed
For a full understanding of all of the requirements, it is best to read the official general permitted development rules and guidelines before committing to altering your home.
Lights To Consider for Your Loft Conversion
For larger lofts that need a little extra light in dark corners, you can turn to the LWA387 5 Watt Hexagonal Interior LED Wall Light. This modern wall light features a wall washing effect that shines straight down the wall, enhancing the overall lighting in the space while also benefiting its overall visual appeal. The fixture has a unique hexagonal shape that exudes modernity, and it comes in either black or white to suit the aesthetic of your new loft.
Spread plenty of light throughout your loft with the Leon 20 Watt 600mm Wide Brushed Silver LED Wall Light. Perfect as task lighting above a desk or supplementary light on a wall, this bar light is versatile and quite stylish. It has a silver-toned finish across its sleek metal body with no visible switches, giving it a minimalistic appeal. The fitting shines 1600 lumens of 3000k warm white light, making it a bright but gentle choice for your loft.
The LPL142A 20 Watt Black LED Pendant Ceiling Light is a great choice for larger loft spaces that need a bit more power. With its long bar shape and a total of 2000 lumens of warm white light, it gives you ample illumination across a broader stretch of space. Suspended by cables, it brings an industrial modern flair to a loft.
Make the most of your small loft and ceiling with the LSP195 16 Watt Black And Gold LED Track Light. If using multiple fittings, this track light won’t take up a lot of room but still bring with it a nice glow and ample illumination. The black hue with gold rim accenting gives it a sophisticated touch that dresses up any loft.
Similarly, the LSP227 9 Watt Slim Style LED Track Light is great for smaller spaces even when installing multiples. It takes up very little room with its small disc-like body and can be pointed in any direction. This allows you to customise the illumination in the room and even shift it to shine on new features like artwork that you might eventually add to the loft.
