designing lighting around beams

8 years ago

Hello! We're turning our garage into an insulated play space for the kids. We will put drywall on the ceiling and leaving a lofted space with exposed beams. We are concerned about choosing the best kind of lighting to fit the space. I'm not sure if track lighting, recessed lighting pendant lighting or what will work best. We want to put in a fan with a light near the center of the room but we're worried about shadows. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. (The awkward beam in the middle that's attached to the old garage door motor will be gone once we install the new garage door and side motor.) The space is about 20x20.

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Comments (3)

miss lindsey (She/Her)
8 years ago
Are we thinking active play like kickball and floor hockey, or passive play line dress up and crafts? Combo of both?

If active, choose ceiling lights with cages for durability. If passive, choose table lamps, floor lamps, and directional desk lamps. If combo, sconces with cages plus clip-on reading lights for crafty times, that can be put away when the pucks come out.

In any case, no glass shades!!
Ana Stagnaro_Wendel
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi Linsey, we're definitely going to have active play in this space. We'll also have some quiet time I'm sure, but this is supposed to be the loud and crazy area. Since I posted this question, I've done some research and decided that a ceiling fan with a bright light will go in the center. And we'll have two track lights mounted to the farthest beams on each side of the room. This should give nice ambient light and directional light for the corners of the space. I'm hoping not to need any standing or table lamps. There will be a lot of boys jumping around in this room. Crashing is inevitable.
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miss lindsey (She/Her)
8 years ago
I have lots of kids of my own and in my care and I just have to say; rethink the ceiling fan and track lights. Those things will be irresistible targets, and they have glass shades so even if the hit isn't deliberate the consequences could be painful and at the least inconvenient. I have to daily remind one of my daughter's not to jump up and try to swat the fan blades and that's in our living room. I can't even imagine what they'd do in a garage!!! Or maybe I can...

Honestly, I know you are firm in your decision but I really would look at no glass shades and no exposed bulbs. Think elementary school gym, not household rec room.

A couple of good exhaust fans and some windows that can open will be as good for air circulation as a ceiling fan too.

Sounds like a super fun project!