High ceiling lighting dilemma! Separate fan and lights? Other options?

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

We are preparing to do some lighting (among other) updates and I am at a loss for options in our very open living space. I have always disliked the light provided by the fan, so I am hoping to find a fan that has no light and to find a different option for lighting the space. I've considered lamps, but I just can't make sense of placement (no floor outlets so I would have to place them around the perimeter of the room). I tossed around the idea of recessed lighting, but I keep reading that they are a bit useless in rooms with ceilings this high and also worry about strobing because of the fan blades. Maybe the best option is to just accept that another fan with a light is going to be the way to go?

For reference the fan is mounted 13' above the floor (at the blades). The ceiling is pitched (about 19' high where the fan is mounted, 23' at the highest point).

In the pictures, (pardon the mess!) you can also see some of the other lights in the space that are being replaced. One over the dining table, two light boxes in the kitchen a chandelier over the breakfast table, as well as a foyer chandelier not visible in these shots. We are on the fence about recessed lights in the kitchen vs. two chandelier type fixtures to replace the fluorescent light boxes. Planning to add a couple of pendants between the posts over the bar. Also one over the sink. Love the idea of very simple, clear globes for the pendant lights. Open to recommendations/ideas/opinions for any of those as well since all are visible within the space.

Featured Answer

decoenthusiaste

7 years ago

If there is anywhere to use recessed lighting it would be your kitchen. Also add under cabinet LED's. Once those are done, you may find the addition of 3 pendants here a bit of overkill. As for the ceiling fan, is it needed in warm weather? Fan lights rarely serve as room illumination except for getting in when its totally dark. They are completely inadequate for anything else. Looks like you're sampling some paint colors by the stairs. Don't go for the paint until the lighting is completed so you get true colors. If you key paint to current lighting you'll be disappointed with it when the upgraded lights go in. I think a pair of chandeliers for each of your dining areas will be a big help. Some uplights under plants flanking the TV could be a nice touch. You may want to consider unloading the mantel of its clutter and having sconces installed on that wall. The windows seem awfully low, so a "fool-the-eye" window treatment that uses shades and panels to visually extend the window onto the wall above it will be a big improvement to your overall look. Here's a chart to help with TV/sofa placement. and a chart for picking a rug, which you should consider to anchor the sofa and seating group.

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Comments (9)

User
7 years ago
I think recessed lighting in the kitchen, two pendants over the bar, the smaller chandeliers over the tables, and a very large chandelier in the livingroom.
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PRO
West Ninth Vintage
7 years ago
Hello Julia! Have you taken a look at West Ninth Vintage fixtures? We create a variety of light fixtures. Feel free to browse through our idea books. Let us know if we could be any help at all!
sandk
7 years ago
In regards to your concerns about recessed lighting in the living room, you can get a high-ceilinged room quite bright with enough fixtures and appropriate bulbs. My 17' x 18' living room with 20' or so ceilings has 7 recessed lights with LEDs on a dimmer. I don't need a lamp to read. The original bulbs made the room so bright I joked I could do surgery in there. I haven't noticed any problem with strobing from the fan as the recessed lights are away from the blades of the fan. How easy it will be to install recessed lights there is another issue.
Julia Tarno
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions! decoenthuiaste, I think you are right about the recessed lighting in the kitchen. That is probably the optimal choice there. I also think I will ditch the pendant over the sink. I hadn't given undercabinet lighting much thought, but after reading up on it I think that will make a major difference in the space. As far as the living room, I would love to get rid of the fan all together, but we live in central Texas and we use it too much not to have one. Love the idea of uplighting behind plants on either side of the TV and adding sconces over the fireplace. The windows are 6' tall but installed only a foot off the ground so the top of them is at just under 7' which seems a low for the 11.5' ceilings. I've thought about adding panels, but the windows are so close to the door and fireplace mantel and I feel that the panel might cover too much window and limit the natural light?

sandk, good to hear that the recessed lights work for you with a similar setup. Is your fan dropped down like ours? How far out are your lights placed from the fan?
Kristi Anderson
7 years ago
Our lights are 3 1/2 to 5 feet from the end of the ceiling fan blades. The fan is dropped down from the ceiling 3 feet I guesstimate. I measured the ceiling height just now and it’s 18 feet.
PRO
Galilee Lighting
7 years ago
A multi pendant chandelier will work great for your ceiling height.

In Galilee lighting we carry unique lighting, designed exactly for your ceiling height, we invite you to visit our website to view our unique lighting collections.

If you would like to receive our catalog by email and get more ideas, contact Sales@GalileeLighting.com or visit www.GalileeLighting.com

We offer free design consultation, to design the perfect size of chandelier for your space.

Call 305-807-8711.

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PRO
User
7 years ago
High ceilings are an opportunity for dramatic lighting. Check out these hand-made custom chandeliers by Timothy Ferrie at Lightsculptures. See the complete catalogue at tjferrie.com
decoenthusiaste
7 years ago
Have you thought about adding a "faux" mirrored window above the low ones? It is often done in basements to give the illusion of an actual window. Use a mirrored faux clerestory piece just above yours and then hang a faux roman shade above it to cover more wall and raise the eye.

2017 NKBA Award Medium Kitchen · More Info
Faux stained glass clerestory windows above.

Carrollton Home Design · More Info
A mirror shaped like this arch could go above the windows.

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Lightbox as faux window