How to Choose the Right Lighting for High Ceilings

High ceilings are a stunning design feature in the home, and if you have them, you’re going to want to make the most of them when it comes to your interior choices, and lighting is one of those challenges you’ll face.

Without the right light fixtures in a high-ceiling room, these grand spaces can feel cavernous and dim. Whether you’re looking to illuminate a cosy living room, an elegant dining area, or a spacious entryway, choosing the right lighting for high ceilings is essential.

Here, we’ll explore various lighting options and design strategies to ensure your high-ceilinged rooms are both beautifully lit and functional.

Understanding high ceilings

High ceilings, typically defined as those over 2.4 meters in height, can add a sense of grandeur and openness to a room. You’ll likely find them in period properties and modern builds that aim for a spacious and airy feel. However, they come with specific challenges:

Light Distribution: Higher ceilings can lead to uneven lighting and shadows if not properly illuminated. Due to the height, light may not reach all areas equally, resulting in shadows and dark spots.
Fixture Selection: Standard lights may not provide adequate brightness. Regular-sized fixtures can appear lost or out of place in high-ceilinged rooms. Choosing appropriately scaled lighting is essential to maintain balance and visual interest.
Energy Efficiency: More space to light means potentially higher energy usage, making energy-efficient options crucial.
Maintenance Difficulties: Changing bulbs or cleaning fixtures can be more challenging due to the height, necessitating long-lasting and low-maintenance lighting solutions.

Benefits of High Ceilings

Despite the challenges, high ceilings offer several advantages:

Aesthetic Appeal: They create a sense of openness and luxury, enhancing the overall look of your home.
Increased Natural Light: High ceilings can accommodate larger windows, allowing more natural light to flood in, which can reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day.
Ventilation and Space: They promote better air circulation and can make a room feel more spacious and less cluttered.

By understanding these aspects of high ceilings, you can better address their unique lighting needs and transform your living space into a well-lit, welcoming environment.

Types of Lighting Suitable for High Ceilings

When it comes to lighting high-ceilinged rooms, selecting the right fixtures is crucial. Here are several options that work particularly well:

Chandeliers

Chandeliers make a bold statement and add a touch of luxury. You’ll need a fixture that matches the scale of the room. For instance, large, multi-tiered chandeliers work well in expansive spaces.

You’ll want to ensure that the chandelier hangs at the correct height, so you need a fixture that has height adjustability to illuminate the space effectively without overwhelming it.

Pendant Lights

Pendant lights are versatile and come in a variety of designs, which makes them suitable for use in different rooms for different functions. Many pendant lights offer adjustable cords, giving you the ability to position them at the perfect height for your space. Grouping multiple fixtures of pendants can create a bold and striking look, as well as giving ample brightness in a high-ceilinged room.

Recessed Lighting

Whilst you might think that recessed lighting should be avoided in a high ceiling room, their sleek and unobtrusive design helps them blend seamlessly, and when properly spaced, they can provide even lighting in the room.

You’ll need to plan this type of lighting carefully to ensure that you don’t get glare and you have adequate coverage throughout the room.

Track Lighting

Track lighting gives you the ability to direct the light exactly where you need it, making it ideal for highlight specific areas or features of the room. You can arrange tracks in various shapes and lengths to suit the room’s layout too. Track lighting will give a room a contemporary touch to high-ceilinged spaces.

Wall Sconces

Give a room with a high ceiling some depth and ambience with wall sconces. Place the sconces at eye level for optimal lighting and aesthetic appeal. There are a variety of styles and designs available to suit different decor types, from traditional to modern designs.

Layering Your Lighting

Layering your lighting involves combining different types of lighting to create a balanced, functional, and aesthetically pleasing environment. This approach is particularly important for high-ceilinged rooms, where a single type of lighting may not provide adequate illumination. Here’s how to effectively layer your lighting:

Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting’s purpose is to provide overall illumination, making the room functional and navigable. You want to ensure even distribution to avoid dark spots and shadows.

Task Lighting

Task lighting gives focus light for specific tasks, such as reading, cooking or working. The position of task lighting is key, installing it where the activities will be carried out.

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting is the illumination that will add drama to your decor, and highlight specific design features of a room too, such as artwork, architectural details or even plants. Create visual interest in a room with accent lighting that illuminates focal points of a space.

Tips for Effective Layering

Combine Different Light Sources: Mix ambient, task, and accent lighting to ensure a versatile and adaptable lighting scheme.
Use Dimmers: Adjust light levels with dimmer switches to enhance the room’s mood and functionality.
Consider Colour Temperature: Use bulbs with compatible colour temperatures to maintain a cohesive look. Warmer tones will instantly leave you feeling snug and comfortable, whilst cool tones work well in rooms where you'll be carrying out plenty of tasks.
Balance the Light: Ensure that the light from different sources is balanced to avoid glare and ensure comfortable illumination. This is especially important in rooms with high ceilings where light can easily be lost or unevenly distributed.

Practical Example: Living Room Lighting

Ambient: A grand chandelier centred in the room provides overall light.
Task: A floor lamp next to a reading chair and table lamps on side tables offer focused light for reading or working.
Accent: Wall sconces highlight artwork, and track lighting emphasises a bookshelf or a feature wall.

Considerations for Light Bulbs

Choosing the right light bulbs is essential for achieving optimal lighting in high-ceilinged rooms. Here are key factors to consider:

Lumens vs. Wattage

Lumens: Measure of light output. Higher lumens mean brighter light. For high ceilings, opt for bulbs with higher lumens to ensure sufficient illumination.
Wattage: Indicates energy consumption. Modern LED bulbs use less wattage while providing the same or greater light output compared to traditional bulbs.

Colour Temperature

Warm White (2700K-3000K): Creates a cosy, inviting atmosphere. Ideal for living rooms and bedrooms.
Cool White (3500K-4100K): Suitable for task lighting in kitchens, bathrooms, and workspaces.
Daylight (5000K-6500K): Mimics natural light. Good for areas where clear visibility is essential, such as offices or art studios.

Energy Efficiency

LED Bulbs: Highly energy-efficient, long-lasting, and available in a range of brightness and color temperatures. Ideal for high ceilings due to their longevity, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
CFL Bulbs: More energy-efficient than incandescent bulbs but less so than LEDs. Suitable for spaces where the lights are turned on for extended periods.
Incandescent Bulbs: Traditional option with a warm light but higher energy consumption and shorter lifespan.

Dimmability

Dimmable Bulbs: Offer flexibility in adjusting light levels to suit different activities and times of day. Ensure compatibility with dimmer switches.

Bulb Shape and Size

Standard Shapes (A19, A21): Commonly used for general lighting.
Reflector Bulbs (R, BR, PAR): Ideal for recessed and track lighting, providing focused light.
Globe Bulbs (G-series): Suitable for decorative fixtures and open spaces.

Smart Bulbs

Features: Remote control, colour changing, and scheduling via smartphone apps. Useful for high ceilings where manual adjustments are impractical.
Integration: Compatibility with smart home systems like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit for added convenience.

By considering these factors, you can select the most appropriate light bulbs to enhance the lighting in your high-ceilinged rooms, ensuring both efficiency and aesthetic appeal.

Design Tips for Different Rooms

When lighting high-ceilinged rooms, it's essential to tailor your approach to each specific space to enhance both functionality and aesthetics. Here are design tips for various rooms:

Living Room

Create a focal point in the living room by installing a statement chandelier or a group of pendant lights to draw attention to the centre of the room. Scale it properly so the light fixture doesn’t look too small or too big in the space.

Balance the light sources by combining these lights with table lamps, floor lamps and wall sconces to create a layered effect. This ensures that there is ample light in the room and numerous activities can be carried out in the space.

Highlight features of the room with track lighting or spotlights to add depth and visual interest.

Dining Room

Create a statement in a dining room with a high ceiling by installing a statement light above the table. Ensure the fixture is proportionate to the table size and hang it where it won’t hit people on the head if leaning across the table, but low enough to give a beautiful glow across the space.

Dimmable lights give you the ability to adjust the ambience for different occasions, from bright for casual meals to soft and intimate for dinner parties.

Complement the overhead lighting with wall sconces or floor lamps to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Bedroom

Warm-coloured bulbs will add to the relaxing atmosphere you expect in a bedroom. Pendant lights can work as a central feature. Combine it with bedside table lamps for reading.

Opt for fixtures with adjustable brightness to cater to different needs, from task lighting for reading to softer light for winding down.

Hallway

Make a great first impression with a dramatic chandelier or cluster of pendant lights if your hallway has a high ceiling. Use additional light sources like wall sconces to ensure the space is evenly lit and welcoming. If there are architectural details or artwork, use accent lighting to draw attention and create visual interest.

Kitchen

In the kitchen task lighting is incredibly important, ensuring a bright and functional space for where you’ll be chopping and cooking. Pendant lights over an island or counter provides both task lighting and a design element.

Use LED strip lights under cabinets to illuminate countertops and create a modern, clean look. Ensure there is adequate overall lighting through recessed lights or a central fixture to make the space functional and inviting.

Bathroom

A combination of recessed lights and vanity lighting works well in a bathroom with high ceilings. This bright and clear lighting is ideal for grooming and other tasks.

Use wall sconces on either side of mirrors to reduce shadows and provide even lighting.

Consider adding a chandelier or pendant light, if space allows, to add a touch of luxury and complete the lighting scheme.

Installation and Maintenance Tips

Proper installation and maintenance are crucial for ensuring the longevity and effectiveness of your lighting fixtures, especially in high-ceilinged rooms. Here are some key tips:

Installation Tips

Hire Professionals: Due to the height and complexity, it's often best to hire a qualified electrician to install fixtures in high-ceilinged areas.
Use the Right Equipment: Ensure the use of appropriate ladders or scaffolding to safely reach high ceilings.
Secure Fixtures Properly: Make sure all fixtures are securely fastened to prevent any risk of falling. This is particularly important for heavy chandeliers and large pendant lights.
Plan for Accessibility: Install fixtures in a way that allows for easy access for bulb changes and maintenance. This might include the use of adjustable rods or lowering mechanisms for chandeliers.
Electrical Load: Ensure the electrical circuit can handle the load of the new lighting fixtures, particularly if you're adding multiple high-wattage bulbs.

Maintenance Tips

Regular Cleaning: Dust and clean fixtures regularly to maintain their appearance and efficiency. Use a microfiber cloth or a duster with a long handle to reach high fixtures.
Bulb Replacement: Use long-lasting bulbs, such as LEDs, to minimise the frequency of bulb changes.
Check for Wear and Tear: Regularly inspect fixtures for any signs of wear, such as loose parts or frayed wires. Address any issues immediately to prevent potential hazards.
Energy Efficiency: Consider upgrading to energy-efficient bulbs if you haven't already. LEDs, for example, use less power and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
Professional Maintenance: For complex fixtures or those installed in very high or difficult-to-reach areas, consider scheduling regular maintenance with a professional lighting technician.

Choosing the right lighting for high ceilings can transform your space, highlighting its architectural beauty while ensuring practical illumination. By understanding the unique challenges and opportunities that high ceilings present, you can select the perfect combination of chandeliers, pendant lights, recessed lighting, and more. Proper installation and regular maintenance will keep your lighting fixtures looking their best and functioning efficiently. With thoughtful planning and design, your high-ceilinged rooms can become both stunning and welcoming, truly illuminating your home in style.

Ready to elevate your lighting game? Explore our collection of high-ceiling fixtures to find the perfect match for your home.

< Return to blog