feature recessed panels that are usually square or rectangular.
If your home features coffered ceilings, you will want to install lighting that emphasizes and complements the ceiling's architectural detail. Originally used in homes for structural support, today's coffered ceilings play more of a decorative role. The lighting you choose for coffered rooms can both highlight the ceiling's signature panels, while enlarging and enhancing the room's decor.
Features
Coffered ceilings are usually found in dens, living rooms, dining rooms and home offices. However, kitchens, bedrooms and even outdoor porches use this architectural style. Coffered ceilings typically feature grid-like panels formed by interconnecting horizontal and vertical lines. The result is a series of sunken panels that highlight colors, patterns or lighting applied between or along its trimmed molding. As a result, beams framing panels in coffered ceilings can help frame or encircle fixtures. Lighting in coffered ceilings is commonly used to draw attention to the aesthetics or spatial configurations of a room.
Ceiling Lighting
Recessed lighting is one agreeable option for coffered ceiling styles. Use recessed lighting if you want ceiling lights with a conspicuous design, but fixtures that direct light downward for cooking, cleaning and other household tasks. Recessed lighting also works well with modern interior design themes or if you want simple lighting that does not distract from the ceiling's design. Incorporate pendant lamps or chandeliers for areas, such as the dining room or kitchen, where significant time is spent working over the counter or eating at the table. Similar to chandeliers, pendant lamps can be adjusted to hang high or low from the ceiling depending on the amount of light you want illuminating the room.
Wall and Obscure Lighting
Install wall sconces and lamps along the walls in the areas such as the den and bedroom. Wall sconces offer enough illumination to view details in the room without competing with a coffered ceiling's latticed design. Create a specific mood or subdued atmosphere by using cove lighting fixtures. Cove lighting may be hidden or obscured along the ceiling's beams and edges. The result is a warm and cozy effect that brings attention to the coffered ceiling rather than to the walls or floors of the room.
Considerations
Use a combination of recessed, wall and lamp lighting in rooms that are connected or open to each other. For instance, install pendant lamps over a kitchen bar overlooking the den, and place recessed lighting along the kitchen's perimeter near the stove, sink and counters. Implementing different lighting schemes produces different moods based on the room's purpose. Various fixture styles and brightness levels also project illusionary distance between floors and high ceilings or add ceiling depth in smaller spaces.
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