Best Feature Lighting Ideas for Vaulted or Tall Ceilings

Interior lighting is a fundamental element of any good interior design project especially if your room has a vaulted ceiling or very tall ceilings. Combining a good mix of functional and feature light fixtures is often the key to a winning lighting scheme. Here we offer some unique vintage industrial lighting solutions and ideas for vaulted or tall ceilings and also lighting for tricky interior spaces. 

What is a vaulted ceiling?

Vaulted ceilings are architectural arched or pitched forms in your ceiling. Originally used in cathedral architecture, they offer the interior a sense of grandeur by providing large amounts of space and beautiful architectural lines.

A vaulted ceiling can be the most beautiful architectural feature in a large living space such as a kitchen, lounge or dining area. Often found in barn renovations or as in the photo above an old school house renovation, with exposed beams to give the space a warm rustic style, they can bring large amounts of light and air into the space. With the additional space created by opening up a ceiling there is the opportunity to hang large feature lights to create a wow factor. If you are looking for something unique that is robust and will last a lifetime then using vintage or reclaimed lighting is perfect.

We specialise in the restoration of vintage & industrial metal lighting which were built originally for industrial environments. We have a collection of large light fittings suitable for very tall or vaulted ceilings such as this industrial style large aluminium ceiling pendant, which is 55cm tall and 40cm wide. 

Or the X-large aluminium searchlight pendant, compatible with LED light bulbs.

Or our explosion proof ceiling pendants are smaller fixtures with lots of character  and industrial features which we can supply with the required amount of cable and hanging chain. 

White Cage Ceiling Pendant by Killark, £355

Vintage Cast Steel Explosion Proof Cage Pendant by Kokosha, £325

Lighting for difficult spaces

But pitched roofs can also be a tricky customer to contend with where space is limited. If your bedroom or bathroom is in the eaves of a pitched roof, it can be tricky to design the space to include the furniture whilst ensuring there is enough headroom to move around. This is where smaller functional wall lighting might come in really handy. These reclaimed industrial aluminium micro spot wall lights are great to mount on walls where space is tight and they are waterproof as well, so can be used in bathrooms or outdoors. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They can be mounted next to each other in multiples as can be seen in the bathroom below, or spread around the room as singles. The aluminium spot light has been painted (powder coated) black to match the black fixtures & fittings throughout the bathroom. If you're looking for unique lighting that can't be found on the high street then using vintage or reclaimed lighting is a great option for creating a characterful interior. 

 

Industrial Style Spot Light Trio, £245

Inject Character with Large Feature Lighting

Love them or hate them, a vaulted ceiling or pitched roof is an opportunity to add some fantastic feature lighting to make the most of the lofty space and stamp your character on the space. With the extra space of a vaulted ceiling comes the challenge of illuminating it perfectly. Using a standard ceiling pendant typically used in a room with a 8-9 foot ceiling would look odd. The room would dwarf the pendant and make it look tiny in the space. This is a great opportunity to inject your personal style into the room by using large statement ceiling light fixtures whether it’s a rustic, industrial or contemporary style interior décor you want to achieve. If you want to add some authentic industrial character these 4ft flameproof aluminium tube lights by Aqua Signal fit the bill. At 145cm long they are a great idea for spreading light and ooze bags of original industrial character to boot.

Vintage Industrial Edison LED Strip Lighting

Hang in multiples

If you have the opportunity to hang multiple light fixtures in a row, not only is it a good way to spread the light throughout larger spaces but a great way of making an impact with feature lights. This reclaimed rusted aluminium ceiling pendant mimics the shape of a vaulted ceiling creating a lovely design aesthetic. This would work perfectly in a kitchen with high ceilings. Place over a kitchen island in a row of three for maximum rustic charm. 

Include Industrial or Rustic Features

A vaulted ceiling is a lovely excuse to incorporate reclaimed beams or industrial style conduit and metal brackets to round out your look, too. If you love the authentic industrial look or rustic farmhouse appeal then a large cage light is a great feature light to create the character you're after. This bronze cage ceiling pendant by Kokosha will make that necessary statement and those wooden ceiling beams will make the perfect hanging spot for them. 

Explosion Proof Steel Cage Light by Kokosha, £297

Tips for Hanging Lights in Vaulted Ceilings

• Ensure you can reach your light fitting to be able to change the bulb.
• Use LED bulbs so you don’t have to change them so often
• Check the weight of the light fixture and ensure you have adequate support. If you are unsure always ask a professional electrician.
• Check the size of the light fixture. Make sure it is not too small. 
• Follow our guide on getting the correct amount of lighting in your space

Your goal is not only to provide adequate lighting but also to create visual interest, by adding a layer of style into an otherwise empty space.

We have plenty to offer so browse our full range of vintage & industrial light fixtures and don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions