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Lighting Slanted Ceilings a room with slanted ceilings is not a walk in the park, as it can appear tricky. However, with a bit of foresight and clever design, the challenge is well worth it. Slanted ceilings are less common than you think, so they can instantly add character to a room. They come in handy when trying to create privacy in your bedroom or with limited storage space. They also make it easier to access attic spaces and other nooks and crannies. If you’ve got a sloped ceiling in your current home or plan on buying one soon, you’ll want to understand how they work and how to design around them so that they don’t become an eyesore or distraction.
What Are Slanted Ceilings?
When you have a slanted ceiling, the height of the top is not entirely level. Instead, the roof slopes upwards at an angle. It can make your room feel more spacious and is especially useful when installing a loft bed. It’s also great to light a room when you have limited storage space or want to create a more open, spacious feel. The slope angle varies between houses, so you may have a very steep ceiling with no way to reach the roof. Or, you may have a mild ceiling slope and no issues getting the top. Every house has different sloped ceilings and variations on how steep they are. If you know the exact pitch of your roof, then you know if it’s worth investing in a new installation or if it’s something you can work around.
Types of Sloped Ceilings
– Straight: The ceiling is entirely vertical, with no angle. It is the most common type of ceiling and is often found in older homes. It’s also the easiest to work around. If you’ve got a straight ceiling, you can quickly level the walls and install a new hanging light kit to create the desired look. – Medium: A medium ceiling is anywhere from 25 to 60 degrees. It is perfect for a loft bed in a home with a sloped ceiling. It’s a great way to create extra privacy in a bedroom or find more nooks and crannies for storage. – Steep: A steep ceiling is around 60 or more degrees. It is often found in older homes or in a home that’s been remodelled with a slanted ceiling. It can make the most dramatic statement in a room and is perfect for an ample space like a great room.
How to Light a Room With a Slanted Ceiling
You’ll want to hang lights around the roof’s perimeter to light a room with a slanted ceiling. It will create a shadow that mimics the natural light that typically hits the top. You’ll also want to use lamps with a hot bulb, as a halogen bulb will cause the shadow to appear darker, making the lights more obtrusive. If you’re planning on installing recessed lights, you’ll want to use a semi-flush mount so that the light will appear flush with the ceiling. Avoid using recessed lights flush with the top, as they’ll appear too large and will create a distraction.
Remember: Avoid reflective surfaces when lighting your room with slanted ceilings.
If you’re looking to light your room with slanted ceilings with a single lamp, avoid using a table or desk as a surface. These surfaces will reflect the light and make the lights look even brighter. Instead, make use of a stool or chair. You can also avoid keeping your room’s reflective surfaces like glass doors or paintings. These surfaces will bounce the light back towards the ceiling, making them even more of a distraction. Avoid using overhead track lighting as well. These lights have a circular design that will reflect and cast a bright, noticeable light on your ceiling. These should avoid at all costs so your roof can remain dark and hidden.
Hang Pendant Lights
Pendant lights are a classic way to light a room. They come in various styles, prices and wattage, so they’re a great way to create a personalized look. A ceiling pendant light is great for creating a softer, ambient glow without being too bright. Pendant lights are designed to hang from the ceiling, so they’re a great option when you don’t want to install a new fixture. You can also install a pendant light in your hallway or other areas where you don’t want a bright light in your bedroom.
Install Recessed Lighting
Recessed lighting is a perfect option when you have a slanted ceiling. It’s a clean way to create light, as there’s no visible bulb. The best part about recessed lights? They’re completely portable, so you can quickly relocate them if you ever get bored with them. Most recessed lighting is designed for standard ceilings, so make sure to measure the angle of your roof and buy a light appropriate for your needs. Another great thing about recessed light? They’re usually energy-efficient, so they don’t require as much power to light up your room.
Dimmer Switch-Based Lighting
Dimmer switch-based lighting is another excellent option with a slanted ceiling. It’s designed to work with a dimmer switch, so you can adjust the bulb’s brightness without affecting the other lights in your home. Dimmer switch-based lighting is an excellent option because it’s usually adjustable. To create a softer, ambient glow, you can adjust the brightness to your desired level. If you want to make the lights a little brighter, you can still tweak them without affecting the rest of your home’s lights. Another great thing about dimmer switch-based lighting? It’s usually dimmable, so you can lower the morning if you have a guest staying with you.
Use Track Lighting for Your Ceiling
If you’re looking to light a room with a slanted ceiling, you may want to consider track lighting. These fixtures are designed to be used with tracks, which are made of a series of tiny channels that run along with the ceiling. This type of lighting is perfect for rooms with irregular tops or ones that are difficult to reach with a standard light fixture. Because they run on tracks, they’re usually low-maintenance and require less electricity. They’re also designed to light up an entire room, perfect for large spaces.
Conclusion
As you can see, lighting a room with a slanted ceiling can be tricky. However, it can also create a dramatic effect in your home, depending on how you implement it. Measure your roof carefully to ensure your lighting project goes smoothly and looks as you’d like.
