Hallway

High ceilings can present their own kind of challenge when it comes to lighting. You have to be sure you are using all of that space to its fullest potential if you want the area to be well-lit. 

High ceilings benefit from pendant lights above all. A long pendant light hanging down takes up that vertical space and fills it in. Then, you can supplement that pendant light with wall lights and table lamps below it. 

A tall ceiling also provides an opportunity for you to make a bold statement. Use all of that open air to host a bold statement light, preferably an oversized or colourful one. 

A tall, flat ceiling is also a good opportunity for you to bring drama to the space with a chandelier. Elegant chandeliers can make a tall ceiling look regal and sophisticated. Vaulted ceilings, on the other hand, tend to look the best when lit by recessed fixtures.

It’s a good idea to get bulbs with directional capability. This will ensure that the light shines down into the open space below and doesn’t just cling to the upper layers.

Here, you’ll find some hallway lighting layout tips for your unique hallway.

Do’s:

• Do use dimmable hallway lights. If you want to create a welcoming environment any time of day, dimmer switches are the way to go. Having a dimmer switch gives you the power to make a light brighter or dimmer at will depending on the natural light in the room.

• Do save space. In smaller hallways especially, space saving is important. Accomplish this with hallway wall sconces and recessed ceiling lights when possible.

• Do consider a motion sensor light. Indoor lighting can be made efficient with various lighting controls. One of the choices is a motion sensor. Since hallways are only occupied as long as it takes to walk through them, motion sensors are a good choice. They will turn on when they sense movement, and turn off again automatically once movement is no longer sensed.

• Do layer your lighting. Adding ambient, task and accent lighting in a hallway will create a well-balanced, well-lit room.

• Do reflect light. Using either reflective fixtures or well-placed mirrors, be sure to reflect as much light as you can around the hallway.

Don’ts: 

• Don’t overcrowd the space. Base your light fixtures on the hallway size itself. Smaller hallways are going to need smaller fixtures, while larger ones will look best with bigger pendant lights.

• Don’t obstruct the space. Similarly, avoid creating obstacles in hallways. If your hallway is narrow, you can make it easier to navigate by installing wall sconces instead of pendant or wall lights.

• Don’t neglect focal points. If your hallway has unique elements of design, such as architecturally unique areas or accent walls, use lighting to draw attention to them.

• Don’t leave dark corners. Be sure that every area of the hallway is well-lit to make it safe to navigate. 

Modern hallway lighting comes in a number of different forms. You can easily mix and match the various lighting styles to create an attractive and well-balanced space using these diverse fixtures:

• CEILING LIGHTS – Ceiling lights can save space by avoiding the use of hallway lamps placed on the floor. This is particularly ideal for hallways with minimal vertical space. Ceiling lights also serve as the ambient layer of illumination in a design scheme, providing ample general lighting.

• WALL SCONCES – LED hallway lights placed on the wall save both ceiling and floor space. Hallway LED wall lights bring soft, indirect light that also creates a nice atmosphere in hallways.

• RECESSED LIGHTING – Recessed lights are a modern and minimalistic approach to hallway lighting. They save vertical space by sitting flush with the ceiling, avoiding any obstructions or visual bulk.

• TRACK LIGHTS – If you want to light up specific zones in the hallway, track lights will do the trick. These lights have movable heads that allow you to change the direction of the lighting on a whim. They can be used to light up unique elements in a space, such as a cove or sculpture.

• PICTURE LIGHTS – Picture lights are specifically meant for lighting artwork.

• PENDANT LIGHTS – If you have a lot of overhead space, pendant lights can make good use of it. Hanging lights provide decorative focal points to give the space personality, making them good for statement lighting. They also usually have customisable heights so you can be sure they work well with your unique hallways.

• FLOOR LAMPS – If your hallway is large with plenty of room, a floor lamp at either end of the hallway can help zone out the space while giving it ample illumination.