Lighting Ideas for High Ceilings

Having high ceilings or vaulted ceilings is a highly desirable design element according to interior designers. It gives your home the highly desired and on-trend open feeling that can make the home appear larger. On the surface having 18-foot ceilings is great until it comes time to select the lighting for your tall ceilings. Fortunately for you, I have compiled this list of lighting ideas for high ceilings to assist you in your decision-making process.

Tall Ceiling Chandelier

The most common lighting solution for high ceilings is the chandelier. High ceiling chandeliers can be the focal point of a home’s family room. Chandeliers come in all shapes, sizes, and colors to illuminate your most used seating area. These options give you plenty to choose from when selecting the perfect chandelier for your home. You can choose a modern chandelier for a high-ceiling living room if want a clean modern look.  If you want a more farmhouse look, then you could go with a more rustic-looking chandelier. Chandeliers provide great mood lighting and can be a focal point for a living room with high a ceiling. No matter the style of your home, there is a high ceiling chandelier out there for you. 

Recessed Lighting

 Another popular lighting solution for high ceilings is recessed lighting. Recessed lighting is a great way to add ambient lighting to your space without taking up any visual real estate. You can also use recessed lighting to highlight specific areas or architectural features in your home. If you need some high ceiling lighting, then recessed lighting is definitely something that you should consider. Recessed lighting typically offers dimmer switches and adds additional illumination to a large space.

Pendant Lighting Ideas for High Ceilings

Pendant lights are a great alternative to chandeliers if you want something that is less formal.   Installation of pendant lights, which are very versatile and come in many different styles, is another great option for a variety of spaces in need of accent lighting. Pendant lights are great for task lighting or ambient lighting, and they can also be used to highlight specific areas in your home. If you have high ceilings, then pendant lights are definitely worth considering.

Ceiling Fan

Another very popular high ceiling light fixture you should consider is the ceiling fan.  Ceiling fans are great because they serve two purposes: they provide lighting and they keep your space cool. If you have a vaulted ceiling, then a ceiling fan is a great way to add both function and style to your space.  Additionally, ceiling fans on high ceilings can be used in conjunction with a down rod so you can customize the height of your light fixture depending on your ceiling height.

Natural Lighting

No matter the size of your ceiling height, you should always try to capitalize on the natural lighting you home provides. No amount of hanging lights can compete with the illumination of natural lighting. Natural light is the best kind of lighting, so if you have the option to let it in, then you should definitely do so. Use window shades, curtains, or blinds to control the amount of natural light that comes in but utilize as much natural light as possible!

If you really want to complement your home and use maximum amount of natural light, consider adding skylights. It’s a great way to invite natural light into your home which pleasantly warms up your space.

Wall Sconces

Sconces are an excellent way to add lighting without taking up a ton of space whether you have low ceilings or high ones. Sconces are another lovely source of ambient lighting. They are used quite a lot in spaces with high ceilings that would typically have low lighting such as hallways and staircases. Like any of the other lighting options, sconces come in many styles and at many price points so you’re bound to find one that fits your taste and budget. If you have high ceilings, wall sconces may be the way to go.

LED Lighting

LED lighting is a great option for high ceilings because it is energy efficient and long-lasting.  You can use LED lights in any type of fixture, so you have plenty of options to choose from. If you are looking for an energy-efficient and stylish lighting solution for high ceilings, then LED lights are a great option.

Floor Lamps

Floor lamps are a great way to add lighting to your space without taking up any table space like table lamps would. Floor lights are tall standing lamps that are intended to be placed on the floor and raise light levels in a room. Floor lamps come in many different styles, so you should be able to find one that fits your taste. If you have high ceilings, then floor lamps are definitely worth considering.  Floor lamps have the added bonus of being able to provide excellent task lighting for reading or computer work.

Track Lighting

Track lights also known as strip lights can be used to illuminate every space from a high ceiling kitchen to a cozy living room or highlight beautiful artwork and family photos. The great thing about track lighting in rooms with vaulted ceilings is the ability to spotlight numerous areas in your home without having multiple fixtures.  

Combination Lighting

Often times one high ceiling light fixture isn’t enough to illuminate your space. In you need additional lighting ideas for high ceilings, consider using a combination of lighting for your space. Combination lighting can fill your high-ceiling bedroom, bathroom, living room, family room, or kitchen.  By adding layers of lighting you can find the perfect combination of warmth and light to fill your entire room.

Light Bulb Lighting Ideas for High Ceilings

Here’s a breakdown of light bulb colors so you can select the best color for your space: 

• Soft white is warm and appears yellow. Yellow is the typical color range you get from incandescent bulbs. This lightbulb color is ideal for living rooms, dens, and bedrooms since it creates a warm atmosphere.
• Warm white is more on the yellowish-white side. These bulbs are most often used in the kitchen and bathroom.
• Bright white bulbs are hue of light blue is cool and relaxing. This color palette consists of both white and blue hues. For workspaces, such as your home office or garage bulbs in this color range are ideal since they have a less pleasant and more active feeling to them.
• Daylight-colored bulbs have more of a bluish tone. This light color will maximize color contrast, making it ideal for working, reading, applying makeup, or other fine tasks.

As you can see, there are many different high ceiling lighting options available to you.  You just need to decide what style you want and what will best fit your space.  Once you have made those decisions, then you can start shopping and planning for the perfect high ceiling light fixtures for your home. Thanks for reading! I hope this article was helpful.