How to Light Rooms with Low Ceilings
Ever thought to yourself ‘I can’t have attractive lights because my ceiling is too low’? - you’re not alone. While it is true that your options may be different to what’s available to those with high ceilings, it doesn’t mean you have pulled the short straw.
Ceilings that sit at 2.4m (8ft) are considered to be a low ceiling or standard height. Building a home with 2.4m ceilings proves to be cost effective as well as having advantages related to heating and cooling - so it makes sense as to why we see so many homes with ceilings at this height.
Beautiful lighting is absolutely attainable at any ceiling height.
Simple guidelines for lighting with low ceilings
1. You want to allow 2m below the lowest point of a light and the floor in areas where people need to walk below, providing room for people to move beneath the light. Following this guideline gives 400mm in height for a light fitting. In a location where the light fitting will be above a fixed surface such as a table or bench top - a light should typically sit 800-900mm above the surface at its lowest point. This leaves at least 700mm in height for the light fitting and room to really add some flair.
2. Finding the right balance in a large, open space with a 2.4m ceiling can be a challenge if you’re wanting a feature as it can seem as fittings get larger they also get taller. In these spaces we want to look for styles that bring a lot to the table width-wise, but keep it shallow in height.
3. Don’t overdo it. Select where you would like your focal points and opt for more discreet, unobtrusive options elsewhere. An example could be - having a feature light in the entranceway and discreet recessed downlights in the hallway to avoid clutter and preserve height.
4. A ceiling painted a clean, bright white will reflect light and lend to a larger, more open feel.
Pendants for Low Ceilings
There are two types of pendants - CTC (close to ceiling pendants) and hanging pendants. Close to ceiling pendants hug the ceiling, making all CTC pendants suitable for a standard, flat ceiling. Hanging pendants come with cords that can be shortened to a suitable length depending on the ceiling height. Not all hanging pendants are suitable for a standard ceiling, however, due to the wide variety of sizes. Some hanging pendants are simply too tall to meet the hanging guidelines.
When starting to look at pendant styles, consider the purpose of the light. Is it the singular lightsource in the room? If you said yes - you would want to look for pendants that disperse the light in all directions and avoid styles that only direct the light downwards. On the contrary, if you are needing a focussed light, a metal shade with a reflective inner will be more suitable.
Batten Fix or DIY Shades
If you’re after a quick change that you can do yourself or you enjoy changing your decor often, then opting for a batten fix shade is the way to go. Our entire range of batten fix shades are the perfect size for a 2.4m ceiling. Whether your style is industrial, boho, scandi or you love a bit of sparkle and romance - you’ll be able to find a shade you love that you can put up as soon as you get it home.
Downlights and Ceiling Lights for Less Drama
Discreet and practical, recessed downlights and LED ceiling lights both offer an unobtrusive lighting solution. Water resistant and dimmable options make them both suited to all areas of the home. You can use them on their own, or in the same rooms as more decorative fittings to add extra illumination to a space without cluttering the ceiling.
