What Is The Best Lighting For Vaulted Ceilings?

Do you have amazing vaulted ceilings but need extra lighting? There are many options for lights that will work great for a vaulted ceiling. We will discuss all of your options in this article. 

The best option of lighting for vaulted ceilings are recessed lights. Skylights add valuable natural light and pendant lights add a bit of color. Track lighting is an option as well, so you can move the lights where you want them to be. If you do not want lights directly on the ceiling, wall lights are an option as well. 

Keep reading through this article to learn about the different types of lighting available and how it could work for the vaulted ceilings in your home!

Vaulted ceiling with a modern Gothic mid evil iron metal hanging lights and a green walls. - What Is The Best Lighting For Vaulted Ceilings

Types Of Lighting For Vaulted Ceilings

Beautiful living room with hardwood floors, vaulted ceiling, tv and fireplace

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Let's go over the five best lighting options for vaulted ceilings in more detail. All these lighting options are exceptional choices for vaulted ceilings, so it really comes down to personal preference when deciding which one to use.

Recessed Lighting

A view of the interior of a modern professional office reception area with recessed ceiling lighting, and a reception desk.

Recessed lights are actually inside of the ceiling. They can be square or circular and can be placed anywhere on the ceiling. The light streams downward and can be placed wherever you want the light to be focused. This is a more permanent solution as you will need to make holes to place the lights.

We suggest that you have one light for every four to six square feet of ceiling. This will provide an even flowing light throughout the room. If you would like to add recessed lighting to your vaulted ceilings, we do recommend calling in a professional so that the job is done correctly and does not create a fire hazard in your home. 

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Click here to see this recessed lighting pack on Amazon.

Pendant Lights

5 hanging pendant lamps with light and shadow on surface of brick wall

Pendant lights are also a nice idea for a vaulted ceiling. They can add a touch of character to any room. Many pendant lights have shades that can be interchanged as well. Changing your shade allows you the freedom to change up the room's decor without breaking the bank.

There are so many different styles of pendant lights available, so you're sure to find the right fit for your style. The cords are also available in a wide variety of lengths.

Click here to see these pendant lights on Amazon.

Track Lighting

Spotlights track lights under the ceiling on the wall decoration in cafe

Track lighting is a wonderful option because the lights can be maneuvered to where you want them. If you want to rearrange your room, you can move the lights on the track as well, to focus on the area you need the light.

These also come in a wide range of colors, styles, and sizes. Some of the tracks can even be twisted into the shape you want. This idea gives you a bit more to work with when choosing lights for your vaulted ceilings. 

These heads are adjustable, ensuring they can always point exactly where you need them to.

Click here to see this track light on Amazon.

Skylights

Bright living room in modern home with skylights

Skylights are a natural way to let light into any room. Not only are they pleasing to the eye, but they are very useful. It can help cut down on electricity bills and even provide heat when the natural sunlight is flowing through. They are energy efficient and cut down on the need for lighting during the day. They can be a great focal point on vaulted ceilings in any room. 

Here is a great video from YouTube, on skylight installation to give you an idea of how things work. We do recommend having a professional come in to properly install skylights in your home:

 

Wall Lights And Sconces

Lighted sconce wall lamp in brown wall background

If you have decided that ceiling lighting on your vaulted ceilings isn't for you, there is another option. Wall sconces or wall lanterns are a very effective way to add light to a room. They come in a wide variety of styles and different price points.

Sconces can add a more intimate feel to the lighting in your room and radiate the light up towards your ceiling. You can incorporate many themes and decor with them. It would even be a great option to add wall lights in tandem with skylights. You would have natural light during the day, and then the lighting on the walls when it is dark. 

Click here to see these stained glass wall sconce on Amazon.

How Can You Make Your Vaulted Ceilings Look Better?

Vaulted ceilings are a bit of a blank canvas. While they can look great as is, there are ways that you can dress them up. For one, colors and textures are a great way to make your vaulted ceilings stand out more. If your walls are darker, make your ceiling lighter with some color. You can also add wooden beams for a more rustic look.

Farmhouse kitchen with oak beams at the vaulted ceiling, large kitchen island, teracotta flooring and powder blue cupboards

Adding a mural is another great way to dress up your vaulted ceilings, especially if you are more of the artistic type. Lighting also can really bring a vaulted ceiling to life. Use pendant lights to make the ceilings look more put together and homier. 

How Do You Hang Lights On A Vaulted Ceiling?

Lighting decor

Pretty much any light you choose to hang from the ceilings requires screws to affix the product. Make sure to use the proper screws for the kind of ceiling it may be. Drywall screws, as you may guess, are best for drywall ceilings. Be mindful of any texture on your ceilings as it could potentially flake off during installation.

Sloped ceiling adapters are a great option for modifying lighting as well. These adapters account for the slope of the ceiling so that the lighting can hang straight down. 

Click here to see this adapter on Amazon.

Can You Put A Flush Mount Light On A Sloped Ceiling?

Bedroom interior with double bed window and flush mount dome ceiling light.

While you can use a flush mount light on a vaulted ceiling, it is not highly suggested. Because these ceilings are so high, the lights will not be as effective as they would be lower on the wall. It could result in dim lighting and not be what you really need in the space.

In Closing

Vaulted ceiling with a modern Gothic mid evil iron metal hanging lights and a green walls.

There are many options for lighting in a room with vaulted ceilings. Whether you choose pendant lighting, track lights, or even recessed lighting, there are many available options. These choices can be incorporated into your decor theme and some can be changed along the way if you would like. Wall lighting is also an option if you do not want to put anything directly onto the ceiling. Remember, skylights are also a great source of natural lighting and more energy efficiency! 

For more great articles and ideas for decorating your home, read these posts below:

109 Industrial Living Room Ideas (Design Tips Included!)

14 Country Themed Living Room Ideas

Living room with fireplace and wooden beams showing in vaulted ceiling, What Is The Best Lighting For Vaulted Ceilings?

One comment

  1. I’m trying to wrap my head around this: “We suggest that you have one light for every four to six square feet of ceiling.” I have 400 square feet of cathedral ceiling. So 400sq ft. divided by 6sq ft per light means…..66 lights?

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