Lighting ideas for basement man-cave with uneven ceiling

4 years ago

I'm trying to enhance the media-room portion of my man-cave (reality: it's equal parts man-cave and "place all the kids hang out and game when there is a party").

There are many things I want to enhance in this room and the adjoining rooms: wood floors, new paint, etc. I want to eventually get it to a speakeasy or even saloon feel. That said, I wanted to start with the ceiling and the lighting.

I feel that this basement-based room could use more light. The lamp and the single light (Philips Hue) aren't cutting it. I was thinking that swapping those out for some recessed lights might do the trick, but the uneven ceiling, caused by hidden ducts, is throwing me off.

Do you have any recommendations on lighting for this situation? Recessed? If so, where would you put them? I was debating embracing the uneven ceiling, evening the protrusions on either side to create a "recessed ceiling" and then placing some sort of lights around that recession. The major downside is I'd lose some ceiling space and the room may feel more cramped.

I could use ideas and advice!

Thanks!

Leo

PS: if you have other observations on improvement ideas beyond the ceiling/lighting, I'm open to hearing them!

Featured Answer

Yvonne Martin

4 years ago

I would say that you need three sources of light and low-eye level--this means either floor lamps or lamps on end tables. A scounce on each side of the fireplace would help, but be sure that it has a translucent shade.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

3onthetree
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Pop the register off on the big soffit and try to see how they framed around the ductwork, whether the drywall is tight to bottom or 1x or 2x. You should be able to fit a wafer LED light as those are only about 1 3/8" max high.

Don't know if your remodel is only decor, but if doing more sometimes soffits are just carried through the whole space at the maximum size needed just to make it easier to frame and drywall, so some of that soffit may be empty. Not sure if opening up if allowable benefits the space as it is conceived.
Leo Hart thanked 3onthetree
RL Relocation LLC
4 years ago
track lighting.
Leo Hart thanked RL Relocation LLC
Related Professionals
Lake City Interior Designers & Decorators · Athens Interior Designers & Decorators · Janesville Interior Designers & Decorators · Albuquerque Furniture & Accessories · Lawton Interior Designers & Decorators · Newport Interior Designers & Decorators · Missoula Interior Designers & Decorators · Lewiston Architects & Building Designers · Duluth Architects & Building Designers · Durango Architects & Building Designers · Bozeman Architects & Building Designers · Great Bend Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Middlesboro Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Branson Interior Designers & Decorators · Butte Cabinets & Cabinetry
RL Relocation LLC
4 years ago
but in reality, lighting should be closer to finished project, because you may want light in areas you do not need it in now or visversa
Leo Hart thanked RL Relocation LLC
housegal200
4 years ago
Industrial ceiling string lights on dimmer or small spotlights as below.
Orcas · More Info

Family Room, Home Theater and Bar · More Info

Get a couple great posters for each side of the fireplace to create a more interesting wall. Rock or sports posters.
housegal200
4 years ago
Do a Google image search for poster subjects--guitar, travel, etc.
fnmroberts
4 years ago
https://youtu.be/omZvd2Vd3PA

Basement lighting is critical to create an environment. By paying attention to the ceiling in the video link of our basement you will see placement of various lights and trims. Within roughly 650 sq. ft. there are 17 cannisters, 2 sconces, 5 pendants and pucks within cabinets. All are on dimmers and are 3-5 feet apart based on intended purpose. I placed tape on the floor to create a placement plan. Some cans are installed within soffits between ducts. Depending on their purpose, lights wash walls or are general/task. Because these were placed before LED’s were practical, no more than 3 are controlled by any dimmer.

Hope this helps.