Asked on Sep 08, 2014

I need lighting advice

Pictured is my loft space, which is open to my entire living room and can be seen from the front door down stairs and from the down stairs living room, although this room is on the second floor. You can see that it currently has a builder grade flush mount light that I am thinking about replacing. I already own the white chandelier pictured but I'm afraid that it may be too big for the space. I also have several very simple black iron chandeliers throughout other parts of my home and I don't know if it will look strange to have a white one that is more detailed in this room, because it is so open and can be seen from so many parts of the house. Does anybody have any advice or experience making similar decisions in their own home? I've considering painting this one black so that it will tie in better with the other fixtures in my home, and I've also considering returning it to purchase one of the prettier flush mounts that they make these days. Thanks!!
  32 answers
  • Trish Davenport Trish Davenport on Sep 08, 2014
    Put up your chandelier, add some bling to your space and enjoy every minute of it. Your room looks so comfy I feel I could walk in and sit down and enjoy your company.
    • Home on Hidden Oaks Home on Hidden Oaks on Sep 08, 2014
      @Trish Davenport Thanks for the feedback Trish! I usually don't suffer from "analysis paralysis" like this, and I appreciate your "go for it" attitude! Maybe I should just got for it!!
  • Kristin Kristin on Sep 08, 2014
    Add Mirrors! Especially near any light source you already have, like the lamp- it will reflect the light and help to carry the light throughout the room. You could replace the frame you have hanging above the chair with a nice tall, framed mirror, or if you are attached to that particular piece, the wall adjacent to it would work wonderfully too!
  • Wanda.ll Wanda.ll on Sep 10, 2014
    Why not a ceiling fan. Living in the south there is always a need for one year around. I also would think about making the window bigger or maybe putting plantation shutters on instead of long drapes. They seem to be dragging things down.Maybe go to Ikea and get some lights for the bookshelves inside too. Easy to do by the way.Just may take even a pop of color would be good. Aqua or something...
    • Home on Hidden Oaks Home on Hidden Oaks on Sep 10, 2014
      @Wanda.ll Thanks for the feedback Wanda! The bookshelves actually already have lights in them, they just aren't turned on in the photo! As for the drapes, I'm really happy with them, although I do want to raise the rod so that they don't puddle on the floor. I'd absolutely love to make the window bigger at some point down the road! Thanks again for taking the time to respond :)
  • Sue Sue on Sep 10, 2014
    I say take the chandelier back and look for a pretty flush mount. Do you have this light on much? You could add another lamp or two and not really use the ceiling light. Maybe an up light behind the chair in the corner would help too.
  • Graphxdesigner Graphxdesigner on Sep 10, 2014
    Love the chandelier! I'd go for that and mirrors will also reflect light into the room! Have you thought of maybe changing the room colour to a lighter colour? If you're thinking that make the room seem cold then throw a few cushions and a throw in warm colours to add some warmth! If room is upstairs... Is there a real need to have the net curtains up... Net curtain seems outta place... Maybe some ties to pull it more to the side of the windows? Good luck and have fun! :)
  • Grangerite Grangerite on Sep 10, 2014
    Do away with curtain. Hang rod to just below ceiling. Get a. Nice valance that comes to top of window. Leave window bare or get a shade. Put up chandelier. Put book cases on wall by window one on each side. Find lights that would attach to the sides.place a chair under window and table other chair else where and table next to that chair with lamp.
  • Diane Diane on Sep 10, 2014
    Great looking room. You could always illuminate the area above the book shelves with mini lights hidden among some artificial green plants. Is there stand-alone lighting on the opposite wall? I like the chandelier but I'm not sure if it would work well in this area. If you rearrange the room would the chandelier become a hindrance? You always have to have something under it or you'll knock your head. Keep up the great work!
  • Barbara C Barbara C on Sep 10, 2014
    Ceiling lights are always harsh and lamps are so much more warm and homey.The curtains can be replaced with white wood blinds for lighter look.How about small lights in the bookcases?Room color can be a lighter shade for more light.I like the cozy size of the space.
  • Jim L Jim L on Sep 10, 2014
    Wanda has a great idea about the ceiling fan. With this space being "up", the heat in the area rises and the fan would be wonderful...no lights on the fan...they do not really help. Move the two bookcases together away from the window...together they make a much better "statement. Move that chair to the corner where the bookcase had been. Swap that white lamp for one with color...if the budget allows, add some colorful, lined curtain panels on a decorative rod...maybe raise it a little higher and add a bamboo roll-up blind under it to give height...
  • Laura Laura on Sep 10, 2014
    Love some of the advice your getting here and agree with some. Because you do have a romantic theme going, I would also hang the chandelier (either in the recessed light spot) and a ceiling fan with frosted white lights in the other. Add spot lights or rope lighting to the underside of the bookshelves on the top, add mirror tiles to the backs of top three shelves to also bring light and change the position of the lamp closes to the entry. You could then add a picture light (small spotlight) above the picture and if its corded, hide most of the cord behind one of the shutters. You can keep the drapes, but hang them up closer to the ceiling. Instead of a curtain rod, use 3-4 crystal 'knob' hooks for a swag affect. And add a reading lamp behind the chair in the corner. Also if you have to keep the popcorn ceiling, add a touch of 'sparkle to it' (like they did back in the 80s when they made us have those ceilings) (lol) by spraying a very light mist of white 'glitter' to it. Ironically it does help with giving off some light to the rooms. And I like the wall color, but you could also add a touch of 'glaze' to also give you sheen. Houston IS hot, so cool the room down during summer and use a lighter rug during then. For winter, just keep as you have and then change the 'drapes' to a light linen look (also great inexpensive ones at Ikea, Wal-Mart (I'm front the south so prefer it over Target)... :)
  • Lou Vaughn Remodeling Lou Vaughn Remodeling on Sep 10, 2014
    Hi Jesse! Is there an existing can light or lights in this room? http://LouVaughnRemodeling.com
  • Judy Judy on Sep 10, 2014
    I hate those boob lights. I say go with the chandelier you have. Each room needs it's own personality and I wouldn't worry about the lights all matching. In fact, I think it would be weird if all the light fixtures were black in one home. Think of each room as a child - they're all loved for different reasons.
  • Sherri Sherri on Sep 10, 2014
    I agree that you should just go for it and hang your lovely chandelier! As for someone's comment about painting a lighter color I wanted to point out that for a low-light room, you are better off painting a DARKER, very saturated color. Check out this site on how to paint a low-light room. I think this approach would be beautiful in your romantic room. And seeing it from your other rooms would be like a peek into a beautiful hidden oasis! http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-pick-a-paint-color-for-a-room-with-little-natural-light-202086
  • Wendy Wendy on Sep 10, 2014
    Jesse, I have a chandelier similar to yours and just love it. I think your room is a perfect place to put it and it will look great as you look up from below to see it. Go for it!
  • Rose Rose on Sep 10, 2014
    Jesse. I know you love your room and just wanted advice on lighting but( please) raise those curtains up their too low.
  • Glenda.moore Glenda.moore on Sep 10, 2014
    Not sure what part of the country you live in, but a ceiling fan in a loft is always nice to keep the temperature down in the summer and circulate warmer air down in the winter.
  • Jody Lange Jody Lange on Sep 10, 2014
    I'm going way out on a limb here but I think your window needs to be bigger longer there is nothing like natural light. I would also have smaller book cases just to big for that small of room.
  • Sharon Boyce Sharon Boyce on Sep 10, 2014
    I have an open loft as well, and to solve a bit of the lighting issues, I placed some rope lighting along the floor molding of the overlooking open railing. It is a great soft glow both upstairs in the loft and downstairs too. Just thought I'd share.
  • Bam362193 Bam362193 on Sep 10, 2014
    I would get a chandelier. I would also get rid of that brown, round, large ottoman. It doesn't really go with the rest of the room. Also a larger area rug. I would also have the two beautiful chairs on an angle to one another with the table between them under the window and move the two bookshelves side by side. Just my thoughts. Nice colours.
  • Bam362193 Bam362193 on Sep 10, 2014
    The curtains, i would get rid of them and put in some nice wood venetians, white of course. Fit right inside the window .
  • Jane R. Jane R. on Sep 10, 2014
    First ditch those curtains. Get some that go only to the bottom of the window and extend them out past the sides of the window. This will give the appearance of the window being wider but not block out any light. I' disagree that a low light room should be painted a dark color. Dark paint on walls will darken the room even more. If you like the color you have, then just paint the wall the window is on a lighter shade. Please use your lovely chandelier but skip the ceiling fan. Putting both up would not look good. Also get a smaller ottoman. The one you have takes up too much floor space and makes the room look smaller. The floor looks to be the same color as the walls and that's not good. I'd actually paint all walls a lighter shade.
  • Dorth Dorth on Sep 10, 2014
    Get rid of the curtains - add silk drapes. Floor lsa
  • CK CK on Sep 12, 2014
    The white chandy is gorgeous! Make this room the 'star' with it because it is large sized :-)
    • See 2 previous
    • Home on Hidden Oaks Home on Hidden Oaks on Sep 14, 2014
      Thanks for the feedback Connie! I originally planned to have the bookcases on either side of the window but they didn't fit, which made me sad. I also tried to put the bookcases directly next to each other and they looked too big in that space. You are completely right about the tv on the wall that isn't pictured. I feel like the layout we've got now is the best option for the space. I do love the idea of a bench under the window and will keep my Eyes open for one! I'll be sure to post pictures of the space once it is finished!!
  • Nathene Caldwell Nathene Caldwell on Sep 13, 2014
    I would push the bookcases together after putting "feet" on them for a little lift off the ground; remove the curtains and as another reader said raise the curtain rod to just below the ceiling as well as extending it beyond the window width for full light from the window. The chandelier is great with ottoman and chairs. Can't wait to hear what you do!
    • Home on Hidden Oaks Home on Hidden Oaks on Sep 14, 2014
      Hi nathene, I LOVE the idea of adding feet to the bookcases! Thanks for that tip! I tried putting them side by side and they didn't look right, so the current layout was the best option for what I was able to work with. Thanks for the feedback!
  • Grangerite Grangerite on Sep 15, 2014
    Try angling bookcases in corner on each side of window. If you did put legs on them they would be as tall or taller than window. Then put curtain rod even with tops of book cases. A couple of square ottomans under window.or oblong ones what ever fits.
  • CK CK on Sep 15, 2014
    waln (above) has a good idea with angling the bookcases on the sides of the window. :-) But another thought is "How much too big are they to on either side of the window?" Here's the thing, I'm a HUGE lover of natural light and realize this is probably the only window in the space, so I'd like to keep as much light coming in as possible. But if the overlap of the bookcases is merely a few inches, you could still put them on either side of the window. Leave a little space behind (i.e. don't push them flush against the wall) so you can still get your hand in to the side of the window that opens.(Looks like they're sliding windows.) And like Nathene said, feet on them would be terrific! :-)
  • Lizelle Lizelle on Sep 16, 2014
    If it is an option change walls too a lighter colour that reflects the light instead of absorbing the light, it makes a big difference.
  • Wendy Johnson Wendy Johnson on Sep 17, 2014
    I love your room , can't wait to see it with the chandelier! I also love the stool. I do not think it is too big but perhaps the color is wrong with your crisp white chairs,or you just need some more of that color in the room, maybe in a pillow. . Great room, enjoy it.
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Sep 19, 2014
    Looks like you need 2 fixtures. I would do matching which drop lower than the current. Soft white/light beige would be great as your chairs are this colour. The room looks comfy and cozy. Wouldn't change furniture layout or anything else except the fixtures. The only think I would do is move the chair by the window out more from the wall.
  • Shelly Shelly on Oct 12, 2014
    paint curtain rod white, raise and widen, make drop cloth slip cover for ottoman, place chairs caddy corner with bookshelves behind them, get rid of small table or chalk paint it black to match shutters on wall, and place between chairs, i agree on adding bun feet to shelves. and i would lighten the wood on the tv side, looks like a dark wood cabinet....good luck
  • Shelly Shelly on Oct 12, 2014
    and use the white chandy! ;)
  • Debra Grieve Debra Grieve on Apr 28, 2016
    I love the chandelier! Paint it black and use it! What a great space! Maybe add a chalk painted blackish table as well. Black is like a shiny piece of jewelry to complete the room. It will add just a touch more elegance. I want to come read for a bit.....love it. Also if the other fixture needs to be replaced, consider another chandelier to match or smaller for the other end of the room. Can you post after pics? I'd love to see the difference!