4 Unique Lighting Ideas for Your Loft

Lighting a large open space like a loft  presents challenges, and trying to find unique lighting can be difficult. However, there are products on the market that can help. If you’re searching for a new loft apartment or want to add to what you do have, consider these 4 unique lighting ideas for your loft:

1. Suspended Lights

Many lofts are built with high ceilings, which can make lighting an area difficult. One way to combat this problem is to use light fixtures that are suspended from the high ceilings and get closer to what you want lit in the room. For example, you can suspend lights directly above a dining room table and close to it. That will light up your dining room area directly, instead of far away on a ceiling somewhere. A low watt halogen or incandescent bulb is used for these lights, because you may be seated directly underneath or close to it. You’re not going to be able to add light fixtures yourself. Negotiate with your landlord to get these installed, or find a loft that already has them. Accessorize suspended lights with cylinder lampshades, designed specifically for hanging lights.

2. Monorail Lighting

An alternative to traditional suspended lights is monorail lighting. These are metallic shaped rails that are flexible for you to curve to fit your decor. Gently bend it to a shape you want. Monorail lighting is stylish and adds works well in a contemporary design. They are available in a variety of metallic colors, such as black, chrome and gray.

3. Task Lights

A major problem to overcome when it comes to lighting a loft are the shadows created in work areas. A unique lighting opportunity to use in areas of the loft that has this problem is task lighting. As the name suggests, task lights are placed in areas where you work the most, such as your home office area or kitchen. For example, task lights can be installed underneath kitchen cabinets or above countertops, to help you see your work better. It also prevents shadows from occurring.

4. Track Lighting

One lighting option that won’t be as burdensome to your landlord to consider installing is track lighting. You don’t have to worry about new wiring because it can connect to the existing power in the apartment. Track lighting consists of spot lights, referred to as track heads, that attach to a fixture. These can attach to walls and ceilings. However, be careful how you point the spotlights, because it can cause glares when people unwittingly stare directly into it. For this reason, you’ll want to face them at an angle.

You can also use track lighting to display artwork or other items on the walls of your apartment. Position them correctly and have the right amount of track heads to avoid shadows.

Use these 4 options to think through which unique lighting you want to include in your loft space. Your options will be limited what your landlord is willing to let you do.