In the repair of residential premises there are no secondary, insignificant works. Everything is important here: the layout and the possibility of changing it, the choice of style and finishing materials, the selection of furniture and accessories. These common truths are known to everyone who at least once came across this issue. However, many owners underestimate the importance of lighting, including the ceiling. But the final result of the repair depends on how competently this work is done.
Ceiling lighting can miraculously decorate any room, and illiterate installation and selection of fixtures can negate all your work. Thinking over the design of ceiling lighting, it is necessary to take into account the recommendations of experienced installers and designers regarding the location, design features and appearance of various lamps. We hope this article helps you with this.
Expert Advice
Designers recommend taking into account the following important points:
- light should be distributed evenly over the entire surface of the ceiling;
- use economical, necessary power lighting devices with a long service life;
- with a hidden type of lighting, the housing of the fixtures should be hidden in a special ledge;
- to create soft, diffused light, it is necessary to direct the ceiling up;
- the design of the fixtures must match the style of the room, furniture.
Types of lighting for various types of structures
Ceiling lighting is not only the creation of comfort, warmth in the room, but also an original design technique that allows you to hide flaws and emphasize the dignity of the room. You can backlight using various types of devices. Before proceeding with the selection of lighting fixtures, you should determine what type of fixtures are best suited for your room.
Suspended ceiling
This is a fairly popular and common design, which is mounted at a considerable distance from the ceiling base. For this reason, this type of coating is only suitable for spacious rooms with high ceilings. This decision has its advantages. For example, in suspended ceilings, you can install various lighting fixtures. For this design fit:
- LED panels and tapes;
- Spotlights;
- flat chandeliers;
- recessed pendant lights;
- fiber optic lighting sources.
Designers argue that for a suspended ceiling, lighting can be "broken" into several lamps of different types.
Tensile structures
Unlike a false ceiling, in which you can use many different fixtures, a stretch canvas is more demanding. This is because the PVC film, which is used under the base, does not differ in heat resistance and super durability. Therefore, it is impossible to hang a heavy chandelier on it - the film will not withstand its weight and will tear. In addition, stretch ceilings cannot be equipped with luminaires with conventional incandescent lamps - areas near the appliance may melt.
For the equipment of the stretch fabric, the following electric lighting devices are most often used:
- suspended chandeliers specially designed for this type of coating;
- LED ceiling lighting (recessed spotlights, tapes);
- luminescent devices.
Luminous stretch ceiling
Professional designers often equip the general lighting of a stretch ceiling. This solution looks very impressive, the ceiling seems weightless. Using a stretch canvas and competent lighting, you can create the effect of a starry sky, and when using a white PVC film, a bright glow will decorate the whole space.
Wood or concrete ceiling
Creating lighting for the ceiling from these materials allows the use of lamps of various types. In this case, there are practically no restrictions. For such bases, it is provided for the installation of lighting devices on an anchor, hook or wall plug, which are securely fixed in the ceiling. For wooden substrates, built-in devices, for example, point ones, are also suitable. But they are not always advisable to apply, since the installation process is complicated.
Basic lighting
Today, in the construction markets of our country, a huge selection of a wide variety of lighting devices is presented. These are traditional chandeliers, and sconces, and built-in spotlights, as well as the backlight, which is performed by track systems, flexible structures. When choosing an option suitable for your room, pay attention to the parameters of the room - its area, ceiling height, as well as the purpose.
Chandeliers
One of the most popular types of lamps. They can be divided into:
- Ceiling. Such chandeliers shine up, distributing the entire luminous flux very evenly. They can be of various shapes (square, rectangular, round). They are mounted to the ceiling with a bracket.
- Outboard. They direct the entire luminous flux strictly down. As a rule, such a suspension is made on a cord or chain.
- Classic. These are the most common devices in which many lamps are used, and structural elements are made of metal, glass, crystal, fabric. Such chandeliers are mounted on a hook in the ceiling.
Spotlights
Today, ceiling lighting in rooms using spotlights is very popular. The required amount of this type of lamp is calculated based on the indicators of their power. Spot lighting can be either primary or secondary. Such lamps can be divided according to different parameters:
- type of lamps - LED, halogen, incandescent, fluorescent;
- installation method - suspended, laid on, built-in;
- execution - rotary and stationary.
Track systems
A special type of devices designed for lighting the ceiling, photos of which we have posted in this article. These lamps are fixed on rails - the so-called busbars. This design has several provisions, which depends on the design of the design. On the ceiling they are fixed using special cables and adjustable at different heights.
Flexible lights
Another popular form of lighting, which in recent years has been actively used as additional. Due to their flexibility, such luminaires can be installed in any form of ceiling design. They are distinguished by a soft, diffused glow. The luminous effect is due to:
- LED strips;
- duralight cords;
- neon tubes.
They are quite simple to fix on a stretch ceiling, to use when designing an option from drywall. With proper installation, the LED strip serves for a long time, the design does not require special maintenance. Nevertheless, it is necessary to make the main lighting of the room, even using this option of lighting devices.
Lighting in different parts of the house
Today it’s already rare to find rooms whose ceiling is equipped with a single chandelier. As a rule, combined lighting is now used. When choosing devices, it is necessary to take into account the purpose of the room and the characteristics of the lamps.
Hallway / Entrance
We intentionally want to consider first of all the ceiling lighting in this room - even experienced designers believe that, as a rule, it is not easy to arrange a small hallway devoid of natural light. This also applies to lighting.
At low ceilings, you should use lamps with a given direction of light up and on the walls, which will increase the volume of the room. If the height of the room is below average, then the original lighting can be achieved using halogen lamps.
To expand the space, it is necessary to mount the lamps so that the light hits the walls. It is possible to arrange spotlights in several beams, and to place a ceiling chandelier in the center.
Kitchen ceiling lighting, photo
The arrangement of lighting in the kitchen primarily depends on the design of the ceiling. Recessed spotlights are a popular option for background lighting. A good solution can be considered the placement of spotlights at a distance of about 60 cm from the walls around the entire perimeter of the suspended ceiling. They can also be installed in a drywall construction, which protrudes slightly in front of the hanging cabinets of the furniture set.
An alternative to this method of lighting the ceiling in the kitchen can be a cornice or a “visor”. A number of fixtures can also be built into it. In recent years, interior designers have increasingly used overhead appliances to illuminate kitchens. Compact light sources are made in the form of a cube, ball or cylinder from various materials - plastic and metal, frosted or transparent glass, crystal.
LED ceiling lighting in the kitchen is used in a variety of options. For example, in the form of a cornice backlight. LED technology allows you to create more original design solutions. You can, for example, develop a composition of narrow luminous stripes or simulate a ceiling window. This can be done by cutting a niche in the false false ceiling for illumination, and then closing it with glass.
Sleeping area
The ceiling lighting in the bedroom has its own characteristics. At the planning stage of repair work, you should decide in which place the bed is. This is necessary for proper wire routing. In the center of the room should be placed the main lighting.
If the ceilings are high, you can use a classic chandelier, and along the perimeter place spotlights or LED lights. Many designers believe that the ceiling lighting in the bedroom without a chandelier using only spotlights looks fashionable, very practical and creative. They can be evenly placed both on a suspended, suspended, and plasterboard ceiling. This option will fill the room from above with uniform light. If necessary, you can change the light intensity using a conventional switch.
Living room
Without a chandelier, many homeowners cannot imagine the lighting of the ceiling of the hall. Its use is justified for spacious rooms with high ceilings. For small rooms, built-in lights are suitable. They can be supplemented with various inserts made of fabric, metal or glass. Before choosing a minimalistic option or products with elaborate forms, it is necessary to take into account the general interior.
In the living room in which zoning is performed, it is better to use several lamps for each zone. For example, if in the living room, in addition to the relaxation area, a common dining room is provided, then one lamp (or a small chandelier) can be installed above the sofa, and the second above the dining table. It is desirable that they be the same if there is no clear delineation of styles. A combination of different lighting devices is also allowed, which allows you to erase the visual boundaries of the room and the room will be more spacious.
Bathroom Ceiling Lighting
The overhead lighting, which is the main one for this room, is planned not only in accordance with the general style, but also with the type of ceiling covering. An LED strip is ideal for a stretch ceiling in the bathroom. As a rule, it is mounted under a tensile structure. Thus, you get a decorative highlight.
For the main lighting, you can use the lamps, placing them in the corners of the room. Choosing a stretch ceiling, you need to consider what type it belongs to - glossy or matte. In the first case, the surface creates a volume reflection and contribute to the visual increase in the room. Matte canvases can dull glare and not distort the surface. One of the most interesting solutions for a matte ceiling with lighting will be the addition of special spots. This technique will make the room very bright and bright.