Ceiling lighting is a trendy and original way to organize lighting in a room. There are many options for doing this on different types of bases. In the framework of this article, we will consider the most popular types of lighting fixtures for ceilings, the features of their installation.
Select backlight
Which backlight to choose depends on many circumstances. For stretch fabrics, LED or neon lighting is best suited, for plasterboard ceilings - spot lighting. You can combine types of lighting, this is also allowed.
Lighting should be thought out at the stage of planning the design of the ceiling. This will make it easier to organize a place for equipment and wiring system. When installing the backlight, you need to take into account its characteristics, the amount of radiated energy in the form of heat. The materials with which the ceiling is made must be compatible with the lighting system you have chosen. If the composition of the materials contains harmful components, then when heated by lighting elements, it maythey evaporate from the surface.
If you decide to perform all types of work yourself, then you should select the backlight, the installation of which will not cause problems. If knowledge in the field of connecting electrical equipment is not enough, then entrust this to a knowledgeable specialist. For example, an incorrectly selected power supply for an LED strip, in the best case, can shorten its service life by several times, in the worst case, the entire system may fail completely immediately after connecting the circuit to the outlet.
Glowing plasterboard ceiling
Drywall is a versatile material with which you can build various structures. Their shape can be varied, and not just straight. Above in the photo - a plasterboard ceiling with lighting, made using different levels and types of lighting. You can use spot lighting or LED. Choose the lamp of the desired shade of glow.
Illumination on the plasterboard ceiling can be of two types:
- Open. These are spotlights that are mounted in pre-made holes in the drywall slab. The wires and the inside of the lamps are hidden from the inside of the drywall board.
- Hidden. Such light sources are hidden on the shelf of the lower level box, and only a diffuse glow is visible. In this case, you can use an LED strip, only in this way the radiation will be uniform. To build a box, you can use a metal profile.
Luminous stretch ceiling
With proper installation and selection of lighting elements, you can completely abandon other lighting fixtures.
In the photo - a stretch ceiling with lighting, imitating a large window. Bright light allows you to get rid of bulky chandeliers and other structures. For some types of interiors, this is very important. Minimalist rooms, for example, look even more spacious when there are no small design elements.
With the help of special matter and lighting, you can make a stretch ceiling that will imitate the sky with stars and the moon. During the day, the ceiling changes color to bright blue. This effect can be achieved by using a special LED lighting for the ceiling and a timer that will automatically switch the type of lighting at a certain time.
Most often, a PVC fabric is used to organize a stretch ceiling, which has a 50 percent transparency level.
Illumination for single-level and two-level ceilings
With backlighting, you can fantasize and experiment. If the ceiling is single-level, then the backlight is mounted around the perimeter or inside the box. LED strip or other lighting elements can be located under the stretch ceiling. In this case, the light will be diffused and soft. If you decide to mount the tape, then it is better to place it in special boxes that scatter light and hide the unsightly appearance of the tape itself. In a two-level stretch ceiling with lighting, the first layer can becover with PVC film, and make the second one with drywall.
If your ceiling is multi-level, then you can hide the lighting elements on the shelf of the lower level. The lamps themselves will not be visible, but their glow will be scattered over the surface of the ceiling. You will get lighting effects that will emphasize the curves of the second level. It looks very impressive, but such lighting is not the main one, since the level of light will not be enough to illuminate a large room at night.
Installation of spot lighting
For spotlights, it is necessary to make holes of the desired diameter in the surface of the drywall. The lamp is installed in the hole and fixed with a special ring that comes with the kit. The wires are laid inside the box.
All work on connecting spotlights is carried out only when the wiring is completely de-energized, since the circuit is powered by 220 V.
Choosing LED lighting equipment
The most convenient option is to use LED strip, which is easy to install. The tape itself is represented by a flexible board with LEDs and resistors located on it. The reverse side of the tape has an adhesive surface. There are tapes with a protective silicone layer that protects all elements located on the board from moisture.
LED strip should emit enough light, so you should choose it responsibly. The larger the LED, the more power it has, and therefore its brightness will be higher. Determine how much powerLEDs can be marked on the tape itself.
If you choose the power supply yourself, then you need to calculate the power that the entire tape will have. You can find out the consumption of LEDs from the following table.
Multiply the result from the table by the number of meters of tape. Add 20% to the result.
Most LED strips are rated for 12V, but there are strips that must work with 24V or 220V power supplies. Be sure to check this information. The manufacturer must write this parameter on the tape without fail.
Eaves for LED strip
Eaves for hidden lighting - this is a very interesting novelty that allows you to hide the LED elements. At the same time, they are an element of the decor of the room.
The inner surface of the eaves is covered with reflective foil, which allows you to direct all the emitted light. On the inner surface of the cornice there is a special recess in which the LED strip is mounted. The cornice itself is attached to the wall or ceiling, it depends on the model and the desired direction of the glow.
There is another kind of cornices that have a transparent light-scattering surface. This surface is made of polycarbonate. The cornice itself can be curved or straight, so you can easily create any composition that will repeat the linear curves of a multi-level ceiling.
Installation of LED strip
As mentioned earlier, in the montageLED strip is no big deal. Before starting work, carefully inspect the flexible board: it should have places with cut lines. It is by these marks that you can cut the tape if there is a lot of length.
If it turned out that the length is not enough and you need to attach another part of the tape, then you will have to use a soldering iron. Take small wires and solder two pieces of tape, connecting them according to the polarity indicated on the board.
After the entire tape is ready, connect it to the power supply. Be sure to check the circuit for operability before installation. Peel off the paper strip and attach the tape to the desired location. You can optionally use better quality double-sided tape to keep the tape stronger.
If the LED backlight turns on the controller, and switching is carried out from the control panel, then do not forget to take the IR element out of reach, otherwise the remote control simply will not work.
Original backlight
The luminous ceiling does not have to be the usual form for all of us. With the help of drywall and LED strip, you can create whole works of art. To organize a 3D space, as a rule, a PVC film is used, on which a three-dimensional pattern is applied. LED lighting is installed under the film. For a high-tech room, you can use a 3D geometric pattern. Visually, such a ceiling can significantly expand the space.
Soaring ceiling frombacklit drywall is an example of an unusual and original organization of space. The frame is made of a metal profile. Drywall boards are attached to it. All joints are carefully filled and leveled with putty, and then leveled with sanding paper. If desired, the design can be painted in a color suitable for the design of the room. This hovering plate is attached to the ceiling on special hanging hooks. An LED strip is installed around the perimeter of the plate. When you turn on the backlight, it will create the illusion that the ceiling is floating in the air.
With the help of drywall, you can perform the most unexpected and original design options for the ceiling space. And the LED strip will create accents along the edge of the bends. You can install an RBG tape that can glow with all the colors of the rainbow, and also create color transition effects.
Starry sky on the ceiling
Mysterious and mesmerizing night sky with stars and the moon on the ceiling is a design that will suit any room. Young children will especially like this illusion.
To organize such a ceiling, you will need a metal profile. Drywall boards are installed on the frame. When this design is ready, you can proceed with the installation of the film, on which the pattern will be applied. It is better to use PVC film. The drawing you need can be ordered from a company specializing in this. They will make a layout to fit the ceiling, which will be with the pattern you choose.
Flicker effectstars is achieved by backlighting. Uncolored parts of the film will transmit light. LED strip or spotlights are installed on a plasterboard surface. It is better to use powerful LEDs with a cool white glow.
Stained glass luminous ceilings
The curves on the ceiling will perfectly complement the interior, made in a classic style.
In the photo - a soaring stretch ceiling with lighting, made using a PVC film with a printed pattern imitating stained-glass windows. Such designs can be of different forms:
- dome;
- round;
- in the form of a ceiling;
- rectangular;
- polygonal;
- asymmetrical.
The suspended version of the stained glass design is a more complex way to organize the ceiling. The frame of the structure is erected from a metal profile and suspended on special suspensions. Stained glass elements are usually made of polycarbonate. They are installed in the niches of the frame.
You can make a stained-glass window using stretch PVC film. This option can be performed by a person who has even the most minimal amount of knowledge in this area. In this case, it is also necessary to prepare a frame on which the film or canvas will be stretched.
Lighting equipment is mounted inside the frame so that the light from the lamp falls vertically down. You can install several types of LED strips, which will differ in the color of the glow.
Neon lights
This type of lighting is represented by closed tubes of glass, the inner surface of which is covered with powder - phosphor. Inside the tube there is gas - neon, and at the ends of the tubes there are electrodes to which voltage is applied.
In the photo - a ceiling illuminated from neon tubes of different colors of glow.
Neon lighting looks very aesthetically pleasing, the glow is very bright and smooth. Such a backlight does not emit extraneous noise, and such lamps will serve for 10-15 years. This is undoubtedly a big plus, but there are also disadvantages. Installation of neon lighting is a complex process that only a professional can perform. The flasks are made of glass, which means they are very fragile and can break under mechanical stress. As soon as the tightness of the flask is broken, the gas will escape, and the lighting will become unusable. You will not be able to make such a backlight on your own, you will have to contact an organization specializing in the production of this equipment.
Neon lights are attached either to drywall niches or to special skirting boards for lighting. To connect a neon lamp, a step-up transformer is required. One transformer is enough for 5-7 meters.
In conclusion
When choosing lighting for the ceiling, rely on your capabilities. Not all lighting options can be made by hand. The ceiling should fit into the overall design of the room, complementing it with its shape and glow. Remember about fire safety rules: lighting elements should not get very hot.
