Decorating
How to Create Beautiful Lighting with Drop Ceilings and Coffers
Make the most of these stunning feature-lighting effects for a crisp, modern look
Drop ceilings, which protrude from the original ceiling, and coffers, where the ceiling is recessed, make striking architectural features. These versatile design elements look even better with clever lighting. Here are some ideas to consider when planning a dropped-ceiling or coffer effect, as some careful pre-planning will give you a room full of clean, discreet and shadow-free light.
Shine light out to lift a space
Each individual installation is different, but it’s possible to visually lift or lower a ceiling with different treatments.
As a rule of thumb, a perimeter light source that highlights the edge and creates a darker centre will appear to lower the space. Conversely, a light source mounted on a central drop and shining light outwards will lift your eyes upwards and elevate the space.
Each individual installation is different, but it’s possible to visually lift or lower a ceiling with different treatments.
As a rule of thumb, a perimeter light source that highlights the edge and creates a darker centre will appear to lower the space. Conversely, a light source mounted on a central drop and shining light outwards will lift your eyes upwards and elevate the space.
Do more with a dropped ceiling
A partially dropped ceiling that doesn’t cover the whole area of the room can offer real flexibility. It’s easier to maintain the fittings as you can gain access to them. You can also locate any drivers right next to the light, with no fear of shadows. Here, the ceiling also serves as a place to mount audio speakers, as well as fibre optics, which add magic with a starry ceiling effect
A partially dropped ceiling that doesn’t cover the whole area of the room can offer real flexibility. It’s easier to maintain the fittings as you can gain access to them. You can also locate any drivers right next to the light, with no fear of shadows. Here, the ceiling also serves as a place to mount audio speakers, as well as fibre optics, which add magic with a starry ceiling effect
Specify the fitting before you build the coffer
LED lights have very discreet fittings, which work well to give a streamlined look in coffered ceilings. However, it’s still important to understand the dimensions of the fitting before you design the coffer it’s going into.
The best installations have a lightness and balance. This can be achieved by making sure the fitting is low-profile, while producing enough light to highlight the coffered ceiling. The coffer should be sufficient to hide any trace of the installation, without dominating the room.
LED lights have very discreet fittings, which work well to give a streamlined look in coffered ceilings. However, it’s still important to understand the dimensions of the fitting before you design the coffer it’s going into.
The best installations have a lightness and balance. This can be achieved by making sure the fitting is low-profile, while producing enough light to highlight the coffered ceiling. The coffer should be sufficient to hide any trace of the installation, without dominating the room.
Plan your cabling
If you are clear on the specification of the light source, it makes it much easier to plan your cabling. An LED fitting will require a driver, and perhaps more than one depending on the total length of the assembly.
It’s best to locate the driver away from the fitting, rather than trying to hide it in the coffer where it might create an unwanted shadow. Understanding which fitting is being used will allow you to work out the correct drivers to use and where to put them, well before your electrician starts to pull in cables.
A beginner’s guide to LED lighting
If you are clear on the specification of the light source, it makes it much easier to plan your cabling. An LED fitting will require a driver, and perhaps more than one depending on the total length of the assembly.
It’s best to locate the driver away from the fitting, rather than trying to hide it in the coffer where it might create an unwanted shadow. Understanding which fitting is being used will allow you to work out the correct drivers to use and where to put them, well before your electrician starts to pull in cables.
A beginner’s guide to LED lighting
Experiment with light output
Only two walls in this modern changing room are lit with ceiling-recessed lighting, so it creates a dramatic area of shadow. What really makes it different though is the amount of light produced by the fitting. Combining a high-output fitting with optics designed to direct the light down the wall puts the colour and texture of the tiles centre stage.
Only two walls in this modern changing room are lit with ceiling-recessed lighting, so it creates a dramatic area of shadow. What really makes it different though is the amount of light produced by the fitting. Combining a high-output fitting with optics designed to direct the light down the wall puts the colour and texture of the tiles centre stage.
Recess rather than drop
LED has made it possible to install a permanent recessed linear fitting as a practical alternative to the dropped ceiling. LEDs now offer relatively high output from small fittings, and their long life-expectancy should mean years of hassle-free great lighting, without any need to replace parts.
To install something like this, choose the best-quality fittings you can because you will not want to be changing them for a very long time. You should be looking for a manufacturer with a proven record for longevity. If unsure, take advice from a lighting professional.
LED has made it possible to install a permanent recessed linear fitting as a practical alternative to the dropped ceiling. LEDs now offer relatively high output from small fittings, and their long life-expectancy should mean years of hassle-free great lighting, without any need to replace parts.
To install something like this, choose the best-quality fittings you can because you will not want to be changing them for a very long time. You should be looking for a manufacturer with a proven record for longevity. If unsure, take advice from a lighting professional.
Choose your technology
LED is pretty well sweeping all before it in the residential lighting sector, but there are still energy-efficient alternatives that might be appropriate for certain applications.
Cold cathode lamps, for example, produce a wonderfully soft, diffused, non-directional light and are capable of high light output.
LED is pretty well sweeping all before it in the residential lighting sector, but there are still energy-efficient alternatives that might be appropriate for certain applications.
Cold cathode lamps, for example, produce a wonderfully soft, diffused, non-directional light and are capable of high light output.
Make use of eaves
Even the smallest dropped feature can make a difference. Here the coffer is scarcely more than a shelf, yet it provides a diffused, glare-free light source in this beamed bedroom, while visually lifting the space.
This is a good option if you’re carrying out a renovation project and don’t have the scope for major construction work.
More ways to light barn-style ceilings
Even the smallest dropped feature can make a difference. Here the coffer is scarcely more than a shelf, yet it provides a diffused, glare-free light source in this beamed bedroom, while visually lifting the space.
This is a good option if you’re carrying out a renovation project and don’t have the scope for major construction work.
More ways to light barn-style ceilings
Be creative with shades
If you want the effect of a lit, dropped-ceiling feature but don’t have the option to fit one, it’s still possible to achieve a similar effect with an oversized shade.
The large shade gives a coffer-like effect on the ceiling, while the floor-standing lamp in the corner adds to the effect, with intimate lighting over the dining area.
TELL US…
Are you installing a drop ceiling or coffer? Have you thought about the lighting you’d like? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
If you want the effect of a lit, dropped-ceiling feature but don’t have the option to fit one, it’s still possible to achieve a similar effect with an oversized shade.
The large shade gives a coffer-like effect on the ceiling, while the floor-standing lamp in the corner adds to the effect, with intimate lighting over the dining area.
TELL US…
Are you installing a drop ceiling or coffer? Have you thought about the lighting you’d like? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
A dropped ceiling, or a central coffer can look fantastic, but remember to check your window levels. Make sure the lowest point of your drop is still above the highest level of your window. If you fail to do this, you may be faced with an odd view from the outside looking in.