Chandeliers can add drama to cathedral ceilings.
Choosing lighting for a room with cathedral ceilings can be a challenge, since you want a combination of functional lighting and lighting that showcases structural details. As you consider lighting options, consider fixtures that will work with your decor, brighten up the room and create the desired atmosphere in the space.
Ceiling Fan Light
Whether you live in a hot or a cold climate, a ceiling fan can increase circulation in a room with cathedral ceilings, ensuring a more comfortable atmosphere. To add additional brightness, choose a ceiling fan with a built-in light; the luminescence and motion will draw the eye upward, showcasing the details of the ceiling. Look for a fan-light combination that matches the style of your house, and choose one that will blend in visually with the wood or furniture finish for a seamless look.
Hanging Lights
Cathedral ceilings are suited to hanging lights that cannot be used on lower ceilings. Look for dramatic chandeliers, hanging lamps and modern fixtures that will serve as a focal point in the room. Choose lighting that suits the mood and style of the room: a dramatic chandelier for a traditional room, for example, or simple pendant lights for a comfortable family room. In an ultra contemporary home, you can make your own chandelier that doubles as art using old silver utensils suspended from metal rings with a light in the middle.
Skylight
By increasing the natural light in a room with cathedral ceilings, you can create a bright and airy feeling, almost as though the room is an extension of the outdoors. If the structure of the room allows it, install one or two skylights for the most direct light that will focus on the area below. In a large room, install windows high on the wall to brighten the top of the room; choose shapes that follow the line of the room for the most natural effect.
Recessed Lighting
For a less dramatic lighting option that will bring light to the corners of the room, choose simple recessed lighting. Recessed lights work well in modern rooms with cathedral ceilings; the simplicity of the circular lights can complement clean lines, particularly when arranged in a row. Often, you can install recessed pot lights in combination with other lighting devices for a soft, flattering effect.
Up-Lighting
To add to the visual interest of a cathedral ceiling, use spotlights that point upward. Use lights to showcase architectural details like exposed beams or carvings by pointing the bulbs directly at them to create interesting shadows. Hide up-lights behind a baseboard for a dramatic gallery-lighting look, or leave them on exposed tracks with decorative shades. For cathedral ceilings with many levels, include a row of lights at each level. Pair up-lighting with hanging lights to make the most of architectural details while adding brightness to the room.
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