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Ceiling lights may not always be a viable option for a home or office lighting. There may be intricate dcor (e.g., plaster molding) or even murals on the ceiling which would be ruined if ceiling lights were installed. Alternately, a ceiling may be set so low that the fixtures would obstruct the view or result in the room's occupants bumping their heads. In some cases, a ceiling may simply not exist; for example, an outdoor arena has no ceiling light option.
In cases where ceiling lights are not possible, other lighting options must be explored. Fortunately, there are several alternative methods that can provide the required amount of illumination for a room. Lighting position, distance, lumens, and wattage must all be taken into careful consideration if one wishes to adequately and effectively light a living space without the benefit of a ceiling. Such factors become even more important when the room is large and/or darkly painted.
Sconces can be installed at evenly spaced intervals along each wall in order to define the perimeter of the room and to provide illumination. Incandescent light bulbs often do not provide enough light for the amount of power (Watts) required; for example, a 122 lumen incandescent light bulb requires 15W of power. In contrast, a compact fluorescent light, or CFL, may require only 20% (3W) of that power in order to generate the same number of lumens. Furthermore, because incandescent lights generate significant heat, placing them next to walls can be hazardous.
Torchieres, or floor lamps, are another way in which one can illuminate a large room without installing ceiling lights. Torchieres can be equipped with high wattage halogen lamps that emit a large number of lumens. Placed along the corners of the room, such fixtures can effectively light a medium to large room. Should the room be especially large, torchieres can be placed at the room's central points in order to reduce shadows.
Recessed lights are another option for illuminating a room. Placed just below the ceiling area, recessed lights can easily light up the entire room's perimeter, providing a sufficient amount of ambient light in the process. When considering recessed lighting, do note that fluorescent lights will provide a greater amount of illumination, as well as safety, when compared with incandescent lights.
Spot lights may also be appropriate for lighting a room, especially if that room is rather large. Spot lights are defined as lights which radiate light at up to a 30 degree angle, as opposed to flood lights which radiate light at a greater than 30 degree angle. Ambient lighting, accent lighting, and decorative lighting can each be accomplished with spot lights. Wall washing, a technique in which all or part of a wall is bathed in light, can also be achieved via spot lights. When it comes to wall washing, the advantage of this approach is that it can also function to illuminate the room.
For outdoor arenas where a ceiling is non-existent, spot lights are commonly used for illumination. In such cases, rows of metal halide bulbs can be mounted back-to-back on a single panel, providing illumination that is almost equivalent to that of natural daylight. Such lighting is used preferentially for outdoor sporting matches, games, and theatrical productions.
It is not difficult to effectively light a living space using lighting options other than ceiling lights. By making use of perimeter lights such as sconces and torchieres, one can usually achieve the desired illumination for a room. Larger spaces can be outfitted with spot lights, or even entire panels of metal halide lamps, if deemed necessary.
