How to light a room with a low ceiling

Cottages, 1930s semis, loft conversions and new-builds often have ceilings of 2.4m or less. Here's how to light them so they feel bigger, not smaller.

1. Go flush where people walk

A flush or semi-flush ceiling light keeps the centre of the room clear. Glass or opal shades spread light evenly across the ceiling, which makes it feel higher.

2. Save pendants for over furniture

You can still have a pendant over a dining table, kitchen island or bedside, where nobody walks underneath. Hang it 75 to 85cm above the surface.

3. Light the walls

Wall lights, especially up-and-down designs, wash light across the walls and draw the eye upwards. They do more for a low room than any ceiling light.

4. Add low pools of light

Table lamps and floor lamps create warm pools of light at eye level. With the overhead light off, the ceiling seems to disappear into shadow, and the room feels cosy rather than cramped.

5. Choose warm, dimmable bulbs

A warm white 2700K bulb on a dimmer softens the whole room. Avoid harsh cool-white bulbs, which make low ceilings feel closer.

Browse our flush and low ceiling lights and wall lights, or message us for advice on your room.