Tensioned ceiling lighting in the living room
Lighting in the living room with a stretch ceiling can be done without using a traditional chandelier. It will give the room a more modern look and will work well in many halls. But it is very important to choose the right equipment and place it correctly to get the best effect.
Pros and cons of spotlights in the living room
This option differs from traditional equipment in a number of features, so its advantages and disadvantages are different than those of chandeliers. The advantages are as follows:
- The body is hidden under the suspended ceiling, so the surface remains almost flat, which is important if the height of the room is small. At the same time, the outer part can have different sizes and shapes. Also the rim coating varies, which allows you to choose the best model for any interior.
- The dimensions of the spotlights are small, so you can place them in any suitable place.
- There are models with a rotating lens, so the light output can be adjusted to the desired effect.
- If a bulb burns out in one of the lights, the lighting will not deteriorate, because the others will work as usual. Changing lamps is not difficult, it can be done by anyone.
- You can choose lamps of different wattages and different color temperatures, which expands the possibilities of design of the hall.
- The total power of the lamps is usually less than the power consumption of a large chandelier because of the more efficient distribution of light.
There are also disadvantages of point models:
- One element illuminates not a very large space, so you need to install a large number of fixtures for a good effect. This complicates the installation, as you need to run a large number of wires under the ceiling.
- If you use variants with halogen lamps, the constant overheating can cause the fabric around the luminaire to turn yellow over time.
- For normal installation, a space between the fabric and the ceiling slab is required at least 7 cmand preferably more. This is not good for low ceilings.
You can use 12V solutions, which makes the system safer and more economical.
How to adjust the space in the hall with light
Stretch ceiling in the hall with spotlights will look original and will allow to hide the disadvantages and emphasize the advantages of the room, if you use a few simple tricks:
- By placing the equipment on the perimeter you can visually expand the space, especially if the walls are light and have good reflective properties. In this case, you can turn the lenses to the wall to enhance the effect.
- To make the living room is perceived more, place around the perimeter LED strip. It can be placed either at the joint between the wall and the ceiling, or in a special niche or above the baguette, which is glued with a small indentation.
- To make the ceiling seem higher, it is better to use a glossy stretch ceiling of light shades, well reflecting light and visually raising the room. Matt ceilings are preferable for medium to high rooms.
- You can install spotlights on the walls so that they shine upwards and thereby make the room higher. Also a good solution would be a track system, on a rail you can put the spotlights in any place and direct them in the right direction.
- Due to the competent arrangement you can zone the space and highlight the dining area, recreational area and a place to work, if there is such a place. This is done both through brightness and by using different shades of light.
- If you use spotlights with crystal diffusers, they create peculiar patterns on the ceiling. Various decorations make the spot models much more original.
- If there are pictures on the walls and other objects, you can highlight them by directional light and accentuate the attention.
Spotlights can be combined with any other, there are no restrictions.
Diagrams of the arrangement of lighting fixtures
To do without a chandelier, you will have to put a lot of light sources. Spot lights in the hall should be installed with a number of recommendations:
- The minimum indentation from the edge of the body to the wall should not be at least 20 cm. If you put it closer, then most of the light flux will fall on the wall. This solution may be suitable only when highlighting one of the surfaces, but even in this case, you can not put the lamp less than 10 cm.
- The distance between the luminaires should be not less than 30 cm. This is enough to provide quality lighting. The indentation can be more, in this respect there are no restrictions.
- If the canvas is welded, you can not put the lighting elements closer than 15 cm from the joint.
- It is necessary to think in advance The location of lighting fixtures on the stretch ceiling in the hall. The most important thing - to calculate the level of illumination for a particular area and how many light sources will be needed. Then a simple scheme is made, which indicates the location of lighting fixtures with an indication of the distance between them and the indentation from the walls.
- You can choose the location at your discretion. This can be both the classic chess order, and various lines, ovals or other figures.
Rules for installing light fixtures on polyvinyl stretch structures
If you need to install point elements on a suspended suspended ceiling, it is worth to understand the peculiarities of the work. First of all, it is necessary to determine where to place the equipment, it is not worth starting the work without a scheme. Instructions for installation looks like this:
- Places of placement on the ceiling should be marked in advance with a chalk or pencil. It is important to know where the lighting fixtures will be located, in order to bring a cable with a suitable cross section. The wiring is fixed in any way, the main thing is that it is well held on the surface.
- To fix on the marked places it is necessary to put adjustable racks. You can use ready-made versions or make them from a plastic ring with a suitable diameter and a plasterboard hanger. The easiest way to fix it on concrete is with dowels, and on wood, self-tapping screws will do.
- After pulling the cloth (most often done by specialists) you can continue the work. First it is worth determining where the previously installed racks are located, make marks on the ceiling and glue a special compound outer ring. It will strengthen the surface and will not let the fabric tear.
- After the glue dries inside the ring, use a construction knife to cut the canvas to make a hole. The stand, located above the ceiling, must be adjusted so that it stands exactly above the surface.
- The lighting fixture is connected to the ends of the previously wired wire using pads or by soldering. The connections are sealed with heat shrink tubing.
- To put the lights in place, you need to squeeze the spring clips and insert the body into the hole. The stop will separate over the post and will hold the construction securely.
- After installation is complete, be sure to check the operation of the equipment. You can use both traditional options for switching on, and remote control or motion sensor.
Before starting work, the network is necessarily de-energized.
Solutions for multilevel ceilings
With a stretch ceiling, you can implement a variety of ideas, but the selection and installation of lighting fixtures becomes more complicated. There are such recommendations:
- Due to the levels, it is easy to zone the room to divide it into several areas with different lighting modes.
- Levels can be illuminated with an LED strip to make the multilevel system more expressive.
- Spotlights are chosen according to the design of the ceiling. For smooth curves, round and oval options are better suited. If the lines are strict and clear, it is worth to put options with a square or rectangular frame.
- It is best if the line of lights coincides with the curve of the multilevel construction.
Video Box: Overview of popular stretch ceiling lighting solutions.
Making spot lighting in a stretch ceiling living room is not difficult if you understand its features. It is important Choose high-quality lighting fixtures and properly install them, which will require prior preparation.