Choosing the right lighting for sloped ceilings can be tricky. The angle of the ceiling limits your options and makes it harder to evenly distribute light throughout the room. However, with careful planning and strategic fixture selection, you can create a beautifully lit space no matter the ceiling slope.
Page Contents
Quick Answers
– Recessed lighting works well for sloped ceilings as the lights can be adjusted to angle downwards with the ceiling slope. Use adjustable trim kits.
– Flush mount fixtures that hug the ceiling are a good option to keep the aesthetic streamlined. Go for sloped or cone-shaped shades.
– Pendant lights allow you to hang the fixture at the ideal height and angle the light where needed. Clustered pendants work great to provide overall ambient lighting.
– Wall sconces placed higher up on the sloped area can throw light towards the lower parts of the ceiling. Use up and down lighting sconces.
– Consider placing lighting at the top and bottom of the slope to wash light up and down the angled section.
– Task lighting like directional track heads and articulating arm lamps can provide targeted light to sloped ceilings.
Choosing the Right Lighting Fixtures
When selecting fixtures for a sloped ceiling, look for lights with these characteristics:
Adjustable/Directional Lighting
Since sloped ceilings angle downwards, lighting mounted directly to the ceiling surface often ends up pointing uselessly upwards or glaring down into the room. The solution is adjustable lighting that can be aimed along the plane of the ceiling:
Recessed Can Lighting: Recessed cans, also known as downlights, can be tilted and rotated as needed. Trim kits are available to adjust the angle up to 45 degrees to match your ceiling slope. Install multiple adjustable cans to wash the ceiling evenly with light.
Track Lighting: Flexible track heads allow you to point the light exactly where needed. Tracks can also be mounted parallel to sloped ceilings for perfect aiming of spotlights. Use track lighting to highlight architectural details, art, or specific functional areas.
Articulating Arm Lamps: Freestanding lamps with movable arms and heads provide targeted lighting and are ideal for sloped ceilings. Position next to seating areas, desks, or beds and adjust the light as required.
Flush Mounted Fixtures
Flush, surface-mounted lights that hug the ceiling work well in sloped areas by keeping the lighting streamlined and unobtrusive. Choose sleek, low-profile fixtures or ones with sloping or conical shades designed to handle angled ceilings. Mini-pendants and clusters also install flush to the ceiling.
Slim LED Panels: Super slim LED panels practically disappear into the ceiling while washing the space with uniform glow. Opt for sloped panels or kits to match the exact angle of your ceiling.
Sloped Bowl Shades: Look for semi-flush and flush mount fixtures with bowl or cone-shaped shades that point light downward at an angle to accommodate sloped ceilings.
Low-Profile Designs: Thin rectangular or square LED panels and LED wafer lights provide even flush mounted illumination for sloped ceilings.
Pendant Lights
Hanging pendant fixtures allow you to position the light at the perfect height and angle above sloped ceilings. Mini-pendants and multi-light pendant clusters work well to wash the ceiling with ambient illumination. Place individual pendants strategically over seating areas, counters, desks, or other zones.
Drum Pendants: Cylindrical drum-shaped pendants are available in sloped and angled versions to direct light along the ceiling plane.
Bell Shaped: Bell or dome shaped pendants throw light upward and outward, working well to illuminate sloped areas. Position them at the lower part of the slope.
Multi-Light Pendants: Use clusters of mini-pendants or groups of three or more hanging pendants to provide broad overall ambient lighting for large sloped ceilings.
Wall Mounted Lighting
Don’t forget the walls! Wall mounted fixtures can also provide perfect illumination for sloped ceilings.
Sconces: Wall sconces placed high up on the sloped portion of the ceiling can throw light upward into the angled area. Go for up and down lighting sconces to evenly wash the slope.
Picture Lights: Discreet picture lights placed high on the wall below a slope provide direct upward lighting without shouting for attention.
Wallwashers: Wallwash fixtures containing internal louvers can distribute a wash of soft upward lighting across a sloped ceiling for ambient glow.
Lighting Tips for Sloped Ceilings
Follow these tips for beautiful, functional lighting in rooms with sloped ceilings:
Combine Fixture Types
Using a combination of recessed, surface mount, and pendant fixtures allows you to evenly light the entire sloped area. Recessed lights provide overall illumination while pendants and sconces deliver targeted task lighting.
Place Lights at Top and Bottom
Position lighting at both the high and low points of the slope. Recessed cans at the top wash light downwards while pendants and flush mounts at the bottom shoot light upwards to meet in the middle.
Use Dimmers
Install lights on dimmers to adjust brightness as needed. Dimmers give you greater control over the lighting, allowing you to create different scenarios for different activities.
Try Uplighting
Uplighting placed subtly behind architectural elements and furnishings throws light up across the ceiling, creating depth and drama.
Pick Warm Color Temperatures
Stick to warm white light in the 2700K-3000K range instead of cool LED lighting. Warm light prevents that “canned” look and feel.
Bounce Light Off Surfaces
Strategically bounce light off light colored walls, ceilings, and floors to provide soft, indirect illumination in the space.
Best Lighting for Specific Sloped Ceiling Situations
The ideal lighting plan for a sloped ceiling depends on the room and how the space will be used. Here are go-to lighting solutions for some common sloped ceiling locations:
Sloped Living Room Ceiling
Main Ambient Lighting: Recessed LED cans installed along the top of the slope aimed downwards to wash the ceiling with uniform light.
Task/Accent Lighting: Pendant clusters over seating groups create pools of light for reading and conversation. Picture lights illuminate artwork placed higher on the wall.
Mood Lighting: Wall sconces flanking the fireplace provide soft glow for evening relaxation. Dimmers allow customizable scene setting.
| Type | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Main Ambient | Recessed LED cans |
| Task/Accent | Pendant clusters |
| Mood Lighting | Wall sconces |
Sloped Dining Room Ceiling
Main Ambient: Linear LED fixtures or multiple recessed lights centered over the dining table deliver overall even illumination.
Task: Mini-pendants with Edison style bulbs hang low over the table for dining tasks like cutting and reading.
Accent: Adjustable track heads highlight artwork while recessed cans over the buffet provide task lighting.
| Type | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Main Ambient | Linear LED/Recessed lights |
| Task | Mini-pendants |
| Accent | Track heads/Recessed cans |
Sloped Kitchen Ceiling
General: Multiple adjustable recessed cans positioned throughout provide abundant ambient task lighting.
Task: Undercabinet lighting illuminates countertop tasks. Pendants over islands offer direct task lighting.
Accent: Mini-pendants over the sink and stove area create pools of light for food prep.
| Type | Fixture |
|---|---|
| General | Recessed Cans |
| Task | Undercabinet/Pendants |
| Accent | Mini-pendants |
Sloped Bedroom Ceiling
General: Flush semi-flush fixtures provide soft uniform background lighting.
Task: Swing arm wall lamps next to the bed give perfect directional light for nighttime reading.
Accent: Pendants at the bedside create a cozy focal glow in the evenings. Picture lights illuminate artwork.
| Type | Fixture |
|---|---|
| General | Flush semi-flush fixtures |
| Task | Swing arm wall lamps |
| Accent | Pendants, Picture lights |
Sloped Bathroom Ceiling
General: Flush mount fixtures blend seamlessly into the ceiling for soft ambient fill.
Task: Waterproof recessed cans surrounding the vanity provide ideal lighting for grooming.
Accent: Sconces mounted next to the mirror offer ideal face lighting. Mini-pendants add charm.
| Type | Fixture |
|---|---|
| General | Flush mount |
| Task | Recessed cans |
| Accent | Sconces, Mini-pendants |
Conclusion
With the right mix of lighting fixtures creatively placed, it’s possible to beautifully illuminate any sloped ceiling space. The key is choosing flexible, directional lights that allow you to precisely control the angle and distribution of light. Combining recessed, pendant, flush mount, and wall mounted fixtures lets you check all the boxes: delivering ample ambient light, focused task lighting, and dramatic accent lighting effects even in the most awkward sloped ceiling situations. With proper planning and placement, sloped ceilings can be gorgeously showcased instead of remaining hidden in shadow.