How do I illuminate low rooms?

Lighting techniques for low rooms

Before we get into the details of the different lighting options, you should be aware of the basics of light control and its effects on the perception of space. Light can be used to highlight certain areas in a room and direct the eye in certain directions. Well-planned lighting can help to make rooms with low ceilings appear higher and give them more depth.

Vertical lighting for low ceilings:

This technique is particularly effective in rooms with low ceilings. By illuminating the walls rather than the ceiling, the room is visually stretched. Wall lamps that shine both upwards and downwards are ideal for achieving the effect of making low rooms appear larger.

Indirect lighting in rooms with low ceilings:

Another option is to use indirect lighting. Here, the light is directed onto reflective surfaces such as walls, ceilings or special strips, from where it is gently emitted into the room. Indirect light is particularly pleasant and can help to make the room appear larger and more open.

Accent lighting for rooms low rooms:

This is used to highlight certain areas or elements in the room. For example, you can highlight works of art, shelves or other special features of your room. This draws the eye away from the low ceiling height and creates spatial depth.

Technical factors also play a decisive role in the choice of lighting. You will often come across the following terms:

Lumen (lm): This value indicates the brightness of a light source. The more lumens, the brighter the light. In a room with a low ceiling, you should take care not to choose light sources that are too bright in order to avoid a light that is too harsh.

Kelvin (K): Kelvin indicates the color temperature of a light. Warm white light has around 2700 to 3000 K and creates a cozy atmosphere, while cool white light with 3300 to 5300 K is more reminiscent of daylight and has an activating effect. To visually stretch the ceiling height, a warm white light is recommended, which makes the room appear cozy and does not draw attention to the ceiling height.

Lux (lx): Lux is the unit for illuminance and indicates how much light reaches a certain area. When planning the lighting in your room, you should ensure sufficient illuminance to illuminate all areas well.

Color Rendering Index (CRI)The color rendering index indicates how realistically colors are represented under a certain light. A high CRI value (close to 100) means that the light reproduces the colors very well. In living rooms, it is advisable to choose lamps with a high CRI value to create a pleasant atmosphere.

"To visually stretch rooms with low ceilings, use vertical and indirect lighting - choose light sources with a warm color temperature and high CRI for a pleasant room effect."

Lighting options for rooms with low ceilings

There are various types of lights that are suitable for rooms with low ceilings:

Recessed spotlights: These can be installed unobtrusively in the ceiling and do not take up any space in the room. They can be used for general lighting or for accent lighting by directing them at specific areas.

Wall lights for low ceilings in rooms: As already mentioned, wall luminaires are ideal for vertical lighting in rooms with low ceilings to visually stretch the room. They can be used for both general lighting and accent lighting.

Floor lamps and table lamps for rooms with low ceilings: They are not only practical, but also an important design element. They can be used to provide direct lighting for specific activities such as reading as well as indirect, atmospheric lighting. 

Interim conclusion on the lighting of low ceilings: A room with a low ceiling height is certainly a challenge, but can be set off to optimum effect with clever lighting. By using vertical and indirect lighting as well as accent lighting, you can visually stretch the room and create a pleasant atmosphere. Technical factors such as lumen, Kelvin, lux and CRI are decisive for the selection of suitable light sources. 

Indirect lighting in low rooms

Indirect lighting is a sophisticated method that is particularly effective in rooms with low ceilings. It can help to make a room appear larger and more inviting, drawing the focus away from the low ceiling and towards the actual room design. The principle of indirect lighting is that the light is not directed directly into the low room, but onto surfaces such as walls, ceilings or special strips. From there it is reflected and gently emitted into the room. This type of light has a particularly soft and harmonious effect and contributes to a pleasant atmosphere. Indirect lighting can be used in various ways in rooms with low ceilings:

Ceiling lighting: One option is to install luminaires on the ceiling that direct their light onto the ceiling surface. The reflected light falls gently into the room and makes the ceiling appear higher.

Wall lights: Another option is wall lights that emit their light upwards and downwards. Illuminating the wall creates a vertical column of light that visually stretches the room.

LED strips and cove lighting: Impressive lighting effects can be achieved by using LED strips or special cove lighting. The light strips can be installed along the edges of the ceiling or behind pieces of furniture, for example, to create indirect light.

Indirect lighting in general

Indirect lighting is not only a great option in rooms with low ceilings, but can be used in almost any room to create a pleasant and inviting atmosphere. It often has a more subtle and natural effect than direct lighting, as it does not cast harsh shadows and illuminates the room evenly. In addition to improving the perception of the room, indirect lighting has other advantages. It is often easier on the eyes as it causes less glare and creates a smooth transition between light and dark areas. It can also help to emphasize special features of a room or make unwanted areas fade into the background.

Indirect lighting is an effective design element that creates a pleasant atmosphere and improves the perception of space in rooms with low ceilings and beyond. With careful planning and selection of light sources, it can become a real highlight in any room.

Pendant luminaires in low rooms

Height adjustment: Make sure that the pendant light is height-adjustable so that you can set it to exactly the right height. It should not hang too low so as not to obstruct the passageway or visually reduce the ceiling height.

Placement: Place the pendant light above areas where the headroom is less relevant, such as above a dining table or coffee table. Here they can structure the room without disturbing it.

Design of the luminaire: Choose a pendant light with an open, airy design. Heavy, massive luminaires can overwhelm the room, while luminaires with a light, transparent design make the room appear open and spacious.

Light distribution: A pendant light with a wide light distribution can help to illuminate the room evenly and avoid dark corners.

Combination with other light sources: Don't just rely on a pendant luminaire. Combine it with other light sources, such as recessed spotlights, wall lights or table lamps, to create a balanced, harmonious light pattern.