lighting dilemma

last year

So we need a lighting consult. Lighting can be so tricky and is soooo important. We have small condo that is too dark. Trying to figure out how to light up the space. The beams and the overall layout of the room make it tricky also. We thought the track lighting was feasible but they are just like bad spotlights. Any input?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

PRO
AiFL
last year
The kitchen table area looks nice and bright, but that’s mostly because the light is over the table and not off to a side. The track lighting is doing a good job of lighting the one small section of sofa that is under it. Point being, focus light and lighting on those specific spots where you need it…at the table where you eat, where you sit on the sofa, a piece of art, kitchen counters, steps, etc. if you turned off the lights midday and opened the curtain, would you be happy with the amount of light coming in or would it still feel dark? My guess is it’s still a little dark, and no amount of artificial light can fix that feeling.
apple_pie_order
last year
last modified: last year
It's dark because the ceiling is brown with black beams. Have you considered painting the beams white? Or honey-tan? You can try out the white look by taping paper towels or shelf paper over a beam.
Related Professionals
Westminster Architects & Building Designers · Clarksburg Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Moraga Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Rome Furniture & Accessories · Fargo Furniture & Accessories · Bremerton General Contractors · Chicago Ridge General Contractors · Hutchinson General Contractors · Meadville General Contractors · Norfolk General Contractors · Green Bay Lighting · Easton Furniture & Accessories · Glenbrook Interior Designers & Decorators · Cary Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures · Fort Collins Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
I would first rely on table and floor lamps. Those lamps you currently own should have fabric shades that allow the light to pass through the fabric. Your lamps have paper shades which only alllow the light to be directed up and down, not into the space at eye level.
Tara
last year
Maybe put up some LED strip lights or rope lights, or even recessed lighting alongside the beams.
Franklin Street Loft - Family Room · More Info

Modern Living Room · More Info

MCLEAN · More Info

Lincoln Park West Lounge B · More Info

Contemporary Living Room · More Info

Private Residence, Naples, Florida · More Info
nester44
last year
Don't paint the ceiling or the beams! First, get rid of the tiny ceiling fixture that you currently have attached to the beam. Then, figure out the best arrangement for actual track-type lighting along the upper edge of the beam(s). It's entirely possible to run wires along the upper edge of the beam(s) where it meets the ceiling and, if necessary, you can disguise the wires with a very small wooden box that is stained or painted the same color as the beam. There are numerous possibilities of lighting types that could then be attached to the upper edge of the beam(s). It would be worth consulting with a lighting designer who would have knowledge of the many types of direct and indirect lighting that would best illuminate the room for your needs.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
Is this a space you own ? I agree the ceiling is sucking all the light you have. You need more lights and at different levels some floor lamps , table lamps all with shades that allow the light to escape The track light if you want to keep it needs to be all LED 4000K bulbs for sure and a lot mor eof them. If you own the space IMO the black beams are not great .