Large room lighting design issue-pool table lighting
Recently purchased home with 2-story living room. We plan to put a pool table at one end. Currently with two separately controlled parallel track lights running down ceiling beams (see photo).
Second photo gives you perspective of height. It shows the far end of the room. The pool table would be basically under the photographer in the photo, open all the way to the ceiling. Most of the time, the room is lighted by floor and table lamps. The goal is to be able to have focused light on the pool table. I should note that this is a second living room, we do most of our entertaining and living in a smaller living area just off and open to the kitchen. So, the main use of the whole room would be when playing pool, but still, would not want to just flood the entire room with bright light. Some softer light at one end would be nice. We have a couple thoughts, but looking for ideas and options.
First, we could move 4 or 5 of the 6 lights on each track (total 12 overall) down to that end to intensify the light. We would leave one (maybe two) fixtures on each track at the far end and use less wattage bulbs to keep that end a little bit softer when the lights are on. Wondering if we should remove some fixtures and maybe have at most 3 per track (6 total) focused on the table and then two total at the far end. Alternatively, I believe that WAC makes a two-circuit track system, so wondering if it is possible to replace the current track with a two-circuit system and rewire so that the pool end is on one switch and the far end on another switch.
Have also considered a suspended light for right above the pool table. More classic and would keep the rest of the room softened. Issue is then how to hook that up and how to control it. Again, understand there are hanging adapters for lights suspended down from WAC tracks, but presume those are controlled by the overall track control, so how to separately control tracks and hanging light is the question. We currently have the two lines running to the tracks, but running additional wires could be hard and problematic. We would still want to control the two track systems separately.
Any thoughts, ideas and suggestions are much appreciated.
Comments (7)
9 years agoI would do suspended lighting, so that you can retain the ambient lighting already in place while getting focused light right on the pool table when playing. Something like one of these, maybe, depending on your overall style:
Murray Feiss F2402-3CB Sunset Drive 3-Light Island-Light, Corinthian Bronze · More Info
Duncan 3-Light Linear Pendant, Pewter, Rubbed Bronze · More Info
Trans Globe Lighting Etched LED Cube 4-Light Kitchen Island / Billiard Light · More Info
Sedona Brushed Nickel Forty-Two-Inch Island Pendant with White Shade · More Info
West Ninth Vintage Fayette Triple Wood Light, Dark Stain, Original, With Cage · More Info
5 Light Standard Bulb Island Light, Western Bronze · More Info
Eos LED 4-Light Pendant · More Info
Safari Island Light "Pulau" Wine Barrel Ring Light · More InfoAn electrician should be able to run something like this from one of the circuits that is up there, and/or on its own switch. Obviously you'll need extra chain! :)
PRO9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoA billiard type of suspended light is definitely the way to go. Attached is a photo of one style that we recently used in a Museum for a tabletop scale model. These 2 fixtures with 3 shades each were installed side by side to appealingly illuminate a 12'L of table and each use 20-year guaranteed LEDs. Not to cause confusion but the first photo also shows the industrial "house lights" just above these fixtures turned on but they are only used for construction or housekeeping to see better.
A combination of extension rod lengths were specified in order to suspend from a commercial height ceiling and both are wired on a common electrical track with one wall switch dimmer. You'll only need to have one fixture though. These are satin nickel but there's a choice of other finishes available.
These larger size covered shades are perfect scale for overall diffusion in a large space like you have but won't throw light out either above the billiard table or across the room. You can see that the track lighting that illuminates the wall displays doesn't interfere or compete with this fixture as well.
If interested I have another style that we used in a high ceiling clubhouse that has a more rustic look to it with less illumination, just let me know.
There's a saying that the secret to life is to put yourself in good lighting!
Best of Luck!
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PRO
9 years ago
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