Cathedral Ceiling Lighting: Top 5 Options

Cathedral ceiling lighting is beautiful and can add an airy and open feel to any home. They are also very dramatic and can enhance an elegant and sophisticated décor. Because cathedral ceilings are vaulted and the height is far greater than that of a traditional ceiling, finding lighting options can often be problematic. 

When planning the décor of a room with a vaulted ceiling you must consider both up-lighting and down-lighting. Up-lighting is going to add light towards the direction of the ceiling. Down-light is going to provide lighting towards the floor. An example of up-lighting is a spot light. Down-lighting is more common. Recessed lighting is an example of down-lighting. 

Before you make any lighting purchases or plan electrical routes, you should consider the top 5 cathedral ceiling lighting options; track lighting, ceiling fan with lights, skylights, recessed lighting and spot lights.

1. Track Lighting

Many home owners with cathedral ceilings choose track lighting for its versatility. The track will run on the ceiling and the lights can be moved to add light whatever you want. Tracks come in different sizes and finishes, and can be installed pretty much wherever you like. The only disadvantage of track lighting is that it is not easily camouflaged.

2. Ceiling Fan with Lights

A ceiling fan with lights can provide up-lighting or down-lighting. This will depend on the lamps that are fitted on the fan. A ceiling fan is great for a room with a cathedral ceiling because not only will it add lighting, it will also circulate the air in the room. This can help with the challenge of keeping these rooms cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

3. Skylights

Skylights are beautiful and can add bursts of natural light to your room. However, skylights need to be added when the house is being constructed. Otherwise, you will have a big project on your hands. With proper installation, skylights will add natural light and shouldn’t cause any problems with leaks. While skylights are a lovely addition to any room, they aren’t going to provide enough light to be used alone. The light provided on overcast days and at night will not be sufficient to light a room. They can also cause the room to grow rather warm if you live in an area where they will receive direct sunlight. You should use skylights for design purposes alone.

4. Recessed Lighting

Recessed lighting comes in a number of different designs and sizes. These lights work great for providing down-light and can be easily camouflaged. Recessed lighting is one of the most popular choices when lighting a room with a cathedral ceiling. The lights don’t compete with the design aesthetics of the room. Take a trip to you local home improvement store to decide which style you like best.

5. Spot Lights

Spot lights are often used in rooms with cathedral ceilings, most commonly to produce up-lighting. Placing a spot light in a corner and directing the light towards a fireplace and hearth can add drama and light a rather large area. The disadvantages of spotlighting is that they can sometimes be hard to hide and don’t really work with more traditional designs.