skip to main content

Lighting Design Dilemma Living Rooms

Alcove wall lights above/below picture rail?

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

Hi,

I’m redecorating my living room and planning to have shelves built into the fireside alcoves. There are currently wall lights in the alcoves and I’d like to keep some lighting there (but not those lights) but i can’t think where to put the new lights.

Up-lighters above the picture rail with a shelf there too? (crude attempt to create that look shown in the photos.)

Or squeeze in an up-and-downlighter just below the picture rail and take the shelves only as high as maybe 8” below it?

for info, I’m planning petrol blue walls, white above pic rail and white woodwork and shelves.

Thanks in advance for any advice and other suggestions!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

163 hrd
2 years ago
It seems to me the space above the picture rail should be clear of fittings or any decor for that matter. I'm also having a hard time picturing wall lights and alcove shelving on the same wall. Just because they are there now doesn't mean they should stay. Some lights on an extending arm could look nice, depending on your style. Or flush LED lights if you want to light the shelves. Much depends on the design of the shelving.

My house - · More Info
R H thanked 163 hrd
R H
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you for your suggestions. I’m inclined to agree with you about keeping the area above the rail clear, but don’t particularly want to light the shelves themselves - they’ll hold books rather than tasteful ornaments!

I’ll check out your extending arm lights idea and see if anything appeals.

Or maybe tuck a discreet strip along the top of the rail, like you find under kitchen cabinets…🤔

Thanks again.
Related Discussions
Curtain rail above or below picture rail?
Q
Comments (4)
If it was curtains it would need to go above the rail, but that would look silly I think. It needs to be a blind, roman blind perhaps. I don't like sill length curtains either.
...See More
Picture rail in a new build? Period features v modern?
Q
Comments (25)
Likely going to come down to your personal preference. We brought a 70’s mid terrace, standard height rooms (IMO) and they had put up picture rails. Personally I wouldn’t have done but for the way we have recently decorated it, it actually adds height to the room, which I think is down to a trick of the eye, so they have grown on me. Just keep in mind if you put them up you may struggle to get them off if you change your mind down the line without having the risk of needing to replaster.
...See More
Front Room Shelving around fireplace in home with picture rail
Q
Comments (14)
Several years ago, we wanted floating shelves but after googling around for “alcove shelves” we found this image - it was from a carpenter in Brighton who had made shelves out of mdf and then painted them - and they look like flowering shelves. I found a local carpenter and he basically copied the idea for us - and years later we still love our shelves, and several of our friends have copied them! We even copied the two lower angled shelves for our tv! The cost was also much better than buying ready made floating shelves or even Ikea offers. My top tip - find a local carpenter!
...See More
Picture rail dilemma
Q
Comments (8)
I recently redecorated my 2nd Bedroom which is now being used as an office room. The house is an early 1800s home and does have picture rail around the perimeter in the main bedroom so, whilst redecorating the 2nd i took the opportunity to install a similar picture rail. Im glad i did as previously, the room lacked any historical reference or character but now, just a simple addition has made quite a change.
...See More

Sponsored

More Discussions

Inspiration needed

8

Existing canopy in garden - how to enclose?

3

Designing 2 walls with different sizes

1

I need help - master en-suite

0

Help to finish TV wall

3

United Kingdom

Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.