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Get Movie-Star Looks With Uplighters
Transform a Space With the Flattering Glow of Soft, Reflected Light
I am an Interior Decorator in PA, stitching my urban roots into suburban spaces from NY to Philly. I am living my dream helping people achieve inspirational spaces. Visit me at www.loveyourroom.com and check out my blog for inspirational ideas.
I am an Interior Decorator in PA, stitching my urban roots into suburban... More »
Uplighters, also known as up lights, are a big part of creating drama. They direct light toward the ceiling, which acts as a large reflector creating a soft, ambient light. Uplighters make good background light, because unlike an ambient light that comes from a central source, they cast fewer shadows and enhance the wall.
Up lights are not just great for transforming large themed spaces, but small intimate settings as well. Through table lamps, on the floor, on the wall as sconces, or hidden behind molding, they bring decor and wall treatments to life. You can get creative with the type of up light, or just hit your local Home Depot or Lowe's, to find a simple one you can hide in a corner, plug it in and adjust the head to bring light exactly where you want it. You can see a sample here.
I am in love with lighting. The right lighting option can make everything look better. Just think about how much thought goes into photo shoots, movie sets, and of course major life events like weddings. Let's see how lighting can makeover everyday life, too.
Up lights are not just great for transforming large themed spaces, but small intimate settings as well. Through table lamps, on the floor, on the wall as sconces, or hidden behind molding, they bring decor and wall treatments to life. You can get creative with the type of up light, or just hit your local Home Depot or Lowe's, to find a simple one you can hide in a corner, plug it in and adjust the head to bring light exactly where you want it. You can see a sample here.
I am in love with lighting. The right lighting option can make everything look better. Just think about how much thought goes into photo shoots, movie sets, and of course major life events like weddings. Let's see how lighting can makeover everyday life, too.
| Uplighting shows off the architecture of a ceiling even this high. |
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| Check out how the up lights showcase the wainscoting on this ceiling. |
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| Up lights designate the dining area in an open-floor layout. |
by MW Interiors
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Lights in the tray in the bedroom ups the romantic mood tenfold.
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Up lights are great ways to enhance the beauty of a sculpture and indoor plants. Turns the color volume up on even white!
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by FORMA Design
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| Up-light sconces nicely done bringing the shadows upward and cozy looking. |
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If you are using your stairwell wall as a focal point, add up lights to accentuate it.
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Show off your gorgeous stairs and keep guests steady as they climb after dusk.
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| Small up lights on the top of your mantel allow light to beautifully creep up a stone, brick or tiled wall. |
The use of up lights on a high mantel close to the ceiling creates the look of more open space.
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| If you have a great view, install up lights on the walls around or above it so no strong light source interferes with taking it all in. |
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On tall walls, up-light sconces catch the light-creating ambiance when the lower walls are windows.
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| Lets take a lesson from movie theatres and use up lights to keep you from banging into furniture and spilling your popcorn in a dark home theater. |
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| Up lights inside a tray ceiling create a cozy warm glow above without getting in the way of the picture on the screen. |
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Pop out the color of wall behind built ins or cabinetry using up lights.
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Up lights in niches spotlight a small space and anything special within it.
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Light a hallway with up-light sconces on the wall.
Use of up lights down a long hallway light the path at night in a subtle way. I love the way they accentuate the arched walls.
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| Try up lights above your kitchen cabinets. What's your favorite lighting trick?Tell us in the Comments section below!
Next: Browse more photos of lighting design |
Comments
Danielle I have a niche over my mantle where I have placed some plants and statuary. I pluged in some fairy lights and the uplighting makes a very dramatic statement, showing off the structure of the plants. Sorry I don't have a photo with the lights on. 
2 years ago · Like
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bepsf ...more correctly called "Indirect Lighting" - there are lots of "How-To's" and supplies online if you search using this terminology.
2 years ago · Like
rosenthal It can be interesting to light the toe kick space under lower cabinetry-- especially if you have stainless steel there in a contemporary setting, or more than the average 4' of space...cool.
2 years ago · Like
Stephanie D We're about to add another tall cabinet in our studio, which has very tall ceilings, and I was just thinking a little while ago that it would be cool to add some uplighting on top of those cabinets to accentuate the high ceilings and give indirect light. Of course I forgot about it entirely so I'm very glad you added this ideabook!
2 years ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Dec. 13, 2011.
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