How to make a do-it-yourself illuminated ceiling

Ceiling lighting not only transforms the room, but also helps to hide its flaws. In addition, this solution makes the interior more expressive, it can be turned on constantly or from time to time. And if you wish, it is easy to make a backlight that will replace the main lighting and fill the room with soft diffused light.

A simple but stylish decoration of a stretch ceiling with additional light.

Types of backlight

There are many options, but there are several basic solutions, so it’s easy to figure them out. When choosing, you should be guided by the features of the interior, the size of the room and the style of its design. It is also important to consider the design of the ceiling, sometimes it allows you to implement only one or two options. The most popular types:

1. contour scattered. In this case, the light is directed to the surface of the ceiling or wall and highlights the perimeter of the ceiling through reflection.An attractive option, which can be either monophonic or multi-color, this solution is distinguished by ease of implementation, you do not have to understand diagrams and drawings.
2. contour directional. In this case, the light comes from under the baseboard and directly hits the ceiling, its intensity is much higher. If you use this option on stretch fabrics, the backlight will become much brighter due to reflection. And if you leave a gap between the ceiling and the plinth of 10-15 cm and install several rows of LED strip, you can provide basic lighting.
   The tape can be hidden in a ledge around the perimeter.
3. The effect of the "soaring" ceiling. Suitable for drywall constructions with protruding elements. A niche is made along the perimeter, in which the LED strip is laid so that it shines from the bottom up. Due to this, it seems that part of the structure is hanging in the air.
4. built-in. There can be two options - "starry sky", when special pins are placed in the stretch ceiling, letting in light from the inside. Or even illumination due to a translucent matte canvas.
   With the help of special pins, you can create the illusion of a starry sky.
5. contour. Special profiles with a diffuser are used, which can be installed in the ceiling, creating any geometric shapes. The larger the box, the brighter the light will be.
   The contour can move from the ceiling to the walls, creating an interesting effect.
6. dotted. In this case, recessed or overhead lights are used that illuminate a specific area or highlight interior elements. They are often placed in kitchens, hallways and living rooms.

Ceiling lighting is implemented using different light sources:

1. LED Strip Light. The most convenient solution that is easy to install yourself. Solid and multi-color options are sold, the power depends on the number of diodes per linear meter.
2. Duralight tape. It is used less frequently, as it is more expensive and has a number of installation nuances.
3. LED bulbs and fixtures. A good solution with low power consumption and high-quality light. They are most often used for spot lighting.
4. Halogen lamps give good light, but get very hot during operation.
5. Incandescent lamps are now almost never used due to heating and high power consumption.

The choice of lighting depending on the ceiling

Not all options are suitable for certain conditions. Therefore, before doing illuminated ceiling, it is necessary to take into account the design features and choose what suits the most:

1. Concrete and wooden surfaces are distinguished by the fact that recessed lights cannot be placed in them. Overhead equipment is used for illumination. Also, the option with lighting from under the plinth, fixed along the perimeter just below the ceiling level, is perfect. At the same time, wood and concrete are strong, which simplifies installation if you need to install an element with a large weight.
2. Stretch ceilings are used very often, this option can be called the most convenient for installing lighting. Here you can put almost everything that is on sale. The cavity under the canvas allows you to mount built-in lights, and diffused and directional contour lighting also looks great on such ceilings. It is possible to make a starry sky or stretch a translucent material that will give a bright light due to the lamps fixed above it.
   Light penetrates well through a translucent stretch fabric.
3. Multi-level and standard plasterboard designs also allow you to implement any lighting option. In this case, you can initially provide a niche or ledge, where the LED strip is subsequently laid. It is possible to make irregular curves, ovals and protrusions and give them a floating effect. You can also install light profiles or boxes in the ceiling to create clear lines in any color.

An aluminum profile with a diffuser is designed for stretch ceilings, but it is also suitable for plasterboard structures, as it weighs a little and can simply be glued.

Options in different rooms

Location schemes and the type of lighting should be selected individually for each room. First of all, you need to take into account the features of the main light, so that the backlight complements it.

Hall or living room

A simple option for the living room.

In this case, lighting can focus on individual elements of the interior or create an atmosphere conducive to rest and relaxation. Perfect for soft LED perimeter lighting or directional light that highlights paintings, decor details, or simply forms a light composition on the wall.

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Stretch ceiling lighting in the living room

 

The backlight can also serve as additional lighting for a recreation area, or for a place where an easy chair is located. In this room, it is best to install adjustable systems to adjust the brightness.

The video shows the installation of the most economical option for lighting a room.

Bedroom

Stylish bedroom lighting.

This room requires light, which is conducive to rest and relaxation.Therefore, a backlight with a warm yellowish light is selected, it is better not to use color options. The easiest way is to lay a monophonic tape in a niche along the perimeter with the possibility adjustments the forces of light. Then it will be possible to use only the backlight, not including the chandelier.

Also in the bedroom, solutions such as highlighting the head of the bed or niches that are built into the wall are often used, it looks spectacular. A separate option is an LED strip at the bottom of the bed to create a floating effect, this solution looks unusual.

Video compilation of modern bedroom lighting ideas.

Children's

LED strip around the perimeter of the stretch fabric in the nursery.

In the nursery, you should not make too bright a backlight, it should be unobtrusive so as not to strain the child's eyesight. You can emphasize the originality of the multi-level ceiling design or highlight interesting furnishings, such as a map or a picture on the wall.

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Options for organizing bedroom interior lighting

 

It is better to use a dimmer to adjust the brightness and color (for multicolor ribbons). Then subdued light can be used as night lighting. In this case, it is adjusted to the minimum brightness so that the room is a little lit, the children really like this option.

Gypsum plasterboard ceiling with lighting and volumetric figures.

Bathroom

Light boxes on the ceiling in the bathroom.

Due to the reflective surfaces, the backlight improves the overall bathroom lighting. It is best placed on the ceiling. You can put an LED strip around the perimeter, or you can place several spotlights in suitable places.

A separate option is the backlight of the mirror, it is not only beautiful, but also convenient. Most often, an LED strip is used, attached around the perimeter of the frame, or lamps are hung. It can be two wall-mounted options on the sides or one long LED light on top.

For the bathroom, it is better to choose equipment with increased protection against moisture.

Thematic video: Lighting in the bathroom with a contour profile.

Corridor or hallway

So you can illuminate the hallway.

If the room does not have natural light, backlighting will help create a more comfortable environment. It can be placed around the perimeter of the ceiling or used Spotlights to highlight individual zones.

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Arrangement of lighting in the hallway with stretch ceilings

 

Using an LED strip, you can visually expand the space, for this it is better to use diffused or reflected light. At the same time, it is better to finish the ceiling with light materials or install a glossy stretch ceiling in the corridor that reflects light well.

Recommended for viewing: Multi-level ceiling with light lines passing to the wall.

Kitchen

Illumination above the children's bed in the original style.

Here, decorative lighting is needed to create a calm atmosphere and decorate the room. A good option would be lighting from niches or installing directional lights along the walls.

Another good solution is the zoning of space due to the backlight, in which case it should shine brightly enough. You can direct the light both to the surface of the ceiling and along the walls.

There are no special restrictions on the style of the interior. Lighting is suitable for any environment. The main thing - pick up lamps in the appropriate style, which will organically fit into the room.

Photos of ready-made options

Here are some interesting ideas that you can implement in your apartment.

Illumination above the children's bed in the original style.

Illuminated stretch fabric on the ceiling of complex shape.

The original ceiling structure, passing to the wall.

Illuminated multi-level segments replace the main light.

Ceiling of complex configuration with several types of lighting.

Making a backlit ceiling is not difficult, as there are many interesting options. You can choose the right solution for any room and different types of ceilings.