This seems to ruin the aesthetic of the room…and kills the mood! I’d like to know if the placement of the lights could be better? Would a dimmer switch effectively soften the effect?
If we put the chandelier back up in the center position, would its light dispel the shadows?

Please advise! I am in the dark on this one! 😅

The window treatment may be a bit worse than the lighting? Help us understand what look you are going for?

It's a muic room only? Disconnect the ill conceived recessed, remove if at all possible, and find a pretty semi flush light fixture..

A different paint color altogether, a uniform color for the tray and ceiling might help. A nice big area rug, and some color inspiration?

You're in over design without a plan?

Post an inspo so we can help....and it may sound a bit harsh, but I don't think you are at the look you want.....: ) First offender is the window: ) and IF you wanted recessed lighting, which is not the decorative belonging in a tray, nor deserving of highlight.........better would have been the perimeter of the room

We have similar ( no tray ceiling however ) in our dining room. we have a chandelier in the middle & the recessed lights are on dimmers. No dark shadows.

The tray ceiling needs a central fixture that extends down farther from the tray. It has to clear the tray so the light can go out past the tray to the walls. Either a semi flush fixture or a chandelier will work. Put it on a separate dimmer switch, not shared with the recessed lights.

Put the chandelier back in and keep the recessed lights.

You could also add recessed lights to the soffits to light the perimeter, but I probably wouldn't do it unless the room had a specific need for all that lighting.

My architect tried to add some tray ceilings when we started to design the house and I quickly had him remove them. I dislike the look and the issues they can cause with interior design. Also why pay for high ceilings and then bring them right back down!

That would be another option ... level the ceiling out and the recessed lights will work.

Sorry but recessed down lights are never flattering in a living space. They are glaring and cast awful shadows on the inhabitants. The exceptions are washers and directional lights.

I would eliminate the recessed lights, re-install the chandelier and add other types of lighting: sconces and table and floor lamps.

The beam spread/angle appears to be the problem.

If you have actual recessed fixtures you might try PAR (parabolic aluminized reflector) bulbs, which are readily available. These bulbs generally have a 40 degree beam angle, as opposed to a 110 degree angle on BR units (bulged reflector).

If you have wafer lights (might as well say they have a 180 degree beam angle) you may need to replace with downlights. I have seen ceramic units from Justice Design Group. They look like cylinders 5-6 inches long. Bulb should fit inside the cylinder, which will create a cone of light that does not hit sides of the ceiling tray. A dimmer will help.

The lights are wafers, looks like 5000K, and no 'bulb'. There will be a shadow regardless of beam angle, the soffit blocks the throw of 50% of the light "intensity."

Dimmers do not eliminate shadows. It just makes the room darker so you see less difference. Shadows are caused by physically blocking the throw of light. But it will help a bit to reduce that stark cold laboratory feel.

There are a few lighting scenarios, your appetite for work or redo depending. You just spent a bunch of money on an electrician and maybe drywaller.

You need layers of light not all from the ceiling and those dark walls eat light. It looks like you have shiny paint in the indent too . You chose the wrong type of lights for what you want and I agree those on a dimmer and get the chandelier back to add light below the soffit. You need lamps both table and floor too.

Thank you so much, everyone. Very helpful ideas. I am interested in looking for something less obnoxious to replace them, or maybe those PAR bulbs. I’m tempted to paint the whole ceiling white, so they don’t stick out & put them on a dimmer. Do you guys think it’s weird to have a chandelier hanging down in a room without a dining table? I loved the suggestion of a semi-flush fixture in the middle. Anyone have a pic of one to share that is fairly large, very simple, with a bit of elegance? And, finally…YES! I will go shopping for more layered lighting. (Twist my arm!) I guess my style would have to be called “Lovelorn Living” with a touch of “Devil-May-Care”!!!

Thanks for the BRIGHT💡IDEAS, my friends!

Plenty of living rooms and family rooms have a chandelier or two ... nothing weird about it, specially when you have the ceiling height/space for it.

I have a chandelier in my family room with 12 ft ceilings and also have recessed lights.

Hundreds of examples on Houzz photos!

Valley View · More Info

Arcadia Residence · More Info

Debra Campbell Design · More Info

Minnesota Residence · More Info

I actually think bringing a central fixture back could make a big difference here. The recessed lights give you the practical illumination you need, but a beautiful central fixture would bring back some warmth and character and give the room a proper focal point.

And I can’t resist suggesting one particular light because of your piano. I recently put together a video featuring 8 very different designer pendant lights, and one of them has this beautiful flowing, sculptural shape that really reminds me of a treble clef. It’s also available in a gold finish. I think it could look especially interesting in your room — elegant and distinctive, with a subtle musical connection that feels perfect next to the piano without being too literal or themed.

You can see the light in the video here, and I’ve included the direct product link in the video description:

https://youtu.be/nKEcEzpYHhk

Oooh! You have successfully heightened my options! I’m kind of blown away by that video. So many cool shapes!