Alcove lighting fixtures are one of the most luxurious and opulent lighting solutions you can add to any room. From the gorgeous recessed ceilings to overhead tray ceilings to alcoves above cabinets-alcove lighting is as varied as there are ways to create alcoves. Use this guide to alcove lighting and you’ll be sure to get a lighting system that’s not only efficient, but also looks like a million bucks.
Planning
Because alcove lighting is typically something that you want a professional electrician to do for you, it can be tough to get exactly what you want. That’s why it’s so important to plan out your alcove light fixture placement, long before you hire anyone to do any work. Start by drawing a sketch up or blueprint of the room you plan on working with. Make a few copies of the drawing, and then fill in a few of your ideas. This way, you can easily create multiple designs to get a feel for which lighting design works best with your plan. Take your drawing to a lighting supply store and a professional lighting consultant can give you free design help when you buy supplies in their warehouse.
Ambient Sources
The most popular way to light any alcove space is by using ambient light fixtures to help spread light out from the alcove. Since most alcove lights are hidden anyways, lighting sources like florescent are one of the most common bulbs and ballasts for alcove lights. LED under cabinet lighting is another great source of alcove lighting. While it may not be under a cabinet, string and rope LED’s work like a charm in recessed ceilings, tray ceilings and other alcove type ceiling structures. Plant shelves also go perfect with LED rope lighting.
Task Sources
Sometimes alcoves are placed in areas where working conditions are in dire need of a task lighting source. Kitchen lighting where alcoves are above islands and work spaces are a prime example of this lighting dilemma. That’s where a good source of task lighting comes into play. Track and monorail lighting solutions provide the perfect solution to the problems of alcove task lighting. These directional wonders of light can be aimed exactly where you need light the most.
Recessed Sources
The main problem with alcove lighting is that the light fixture itself is visible. That’s why recessed can lighting works great in and around alcoves. Recessed can lights can be installed easily and afford-ably in existing or new alcove structures. Recessed can lights can also be hooked directly to a dimmer switch, allowing you to control the brightness of the light, making it perfect for bright and well-lit task lighting, or turn it down low to create a low light romantic ambiance.