If you have ever had to live in a rented apartment like most of the average Americans, then you will know about what a horror a home without ceiling lights can be.
There is never enough light in the evenings, and you keep bumping into things on the floor or even the furniture.
Moreover, you are not even allowed by the landlord to fix any overhead lights.
If you are one of those unfortunate going through this situation, here are 13 lighting ideas for rooms without ceiling lights that can save your day and home:
1. Plug-in Ceiling pendants
What better way to replace overhead ceiling lights other than with plug-in pendants? All you need is a few hooks above and an outlet, and you are good to go.
Since they are easy to install and maintain, they are a popular choice among people without ceiling lights.
Moreover, they give off a chandelier feeling without having to spend the money on one, and the maintenance.
Furthermore, many of them come in creative and artsy designs with a variety of materials in use. Which, can be a great way to break the ice and start conversations during social gatherings.
Since some of the ceiling pendants have multiple bulbs hanging from above, it can give better lighting than regular overhead lights can.
2. Plug-in Sconces
Plug-in sconces, like the pendant lights above, are easy to hang walls to light up a room. They come in different shapes and sizes that can match any theme or decor at home. It is as easy as drilling in a nail on a wall and hanging them on it.
However, the thing about plug-in sconces or sconces, in general, is that they are limited to walls they hang from, and the light often cannot reach the rest of the room.
Therefore, if you wish for a brightly-lit living space, you would need to pair the plug-in sconces with other types of lighting.
For instance, use pendants as ambiance, while the sconces become accent lighting or reading lights. You can also use them in your bedroom over the bed or as a bedside lamp if table lights are not your style.
3. Floor Lamps
With no drilling required, whatsoever, floor lamps are one of the best options to light up a living space; especially, if you lack the area.
You can go for oversized arched floor lights to get an overhead light on your couch or use a torchiere lamp (different from Torchère) to light up the nooks and crannies.
One can choose any type or design and never go wrong when you pair them with suitable furniture. If your furnishings are modern and abstract, then your floor lights should match accordingly.
For instance, if you have wooden furniture in your room, then a classic wooden floor lamp with conical lampshade is a perfect choice. Another thing to keep in mind is to measure out the place to avoid clutter.
This, in fact, is its disadvantage, for you can run into them in a small space.
However, they are easy to install and pull off if you have the right style in your mind when buying them.
4. Table lamps
When you combine your floor lamps with suitable table ones, you get a room and home that is adequately lighted.
There are so many ways to use table lamps in a living space, especially if you wish to pair them with other types.
For instance, your living room could use a table lamp of each of the side tables along with an arched floor one. Whereas, your kitchen can have some extra brightness with LED strips.
However, when looking to light up your study or work desk, you would be better off with the gooseneck or Tizio. For, they are flexible enough to change directions as per your requirement when reading or writing.
Moreover, there are different types of table lamps that you can choose from and in various designs.
You could invest in the classic conical lamp shades or the more creative ones, say, a cylindrical lamp with intricate metal designs.
5. String lights
If you prefer a creative solution to your overhead lighting problems, then string lights are perfect for you.
They require some time, but they are fairly easy to install and easier to operate. However, the best part is not its installation process or operation, but it is how you can drape them almost anywhere.
Be it the ceilings for an ambiance lighting, or on a stand for a party or beach look.
Due to the uniqueness of this type of lights, they can be a great conversation starter when you have guests over.
Moreover, you can add a personal touch with these babies. What seals the deal for most, however, is how it can be a great way to bond with people while you hang these lights with your friends.
6. Battery powered lights
These are the closest to wall lights you can have when you don’t have one at home. Battery powered lights are available in a variety of designs and types so you can choose from any of them.
The best part is that they are easy to install and operate. To put up these lights all you need to do, is to create a hole big enough to fit them and fix them.
Since they use a battery instead of extensive wiring, if you own a drilling machine, you can do this by yourself.
However, they do have a couple of downsides. It can be a pain to change the batteries over time because you would need to take them out to do so.
However, they come with remotes to switch on and off, and it can be easy to lose them.
The second disadvantage is, if your rental home does not allow drilling holes on the ceiling, then you may not be able to fix them in the first place.
7. LED strip lights
LED strip lights are one of the best ways to light up space with minimum expense and wiring.
Most times, you don’t even have to give a call to your electrician and can install them yourself. If you want a bright light and like a DIY project, then they are perfect for you.
These are perfect to light up a kitchen. For, they can be placed under the cabinets and countertop to shed some light to the drawers and workspace.
Bear in mind, though, when buying the strip lights, be sure to choose the ones that last longer, because it can be a hassle to keep changing them all the time.
8. Wall lighting
If you have no ceiling lights, it goes without saying that wall lighting is your next best option. All you would need to do is fix a few in every room at strategic places, and you have for yourself a home that has the perfect lighting.
You can use anything from sconces to wallchieres depending on your individual preferences.
Whatever you choose, be sure to select the spots correctly, because otherwise, you may end up with a room with shadows. Use the examples of task lighting and mount the lights accordingly.
For instance, if you read, install one at your side of the bed. The same goes for other parts of your house.
Another thing to keep in mind when choosing wall lights is to make sure to ensure variety. If you use the same type and design inside and outside your home, then your house will end up looking like a hotel. Therefore, choose different types for each section of your living space.
9. Lanterns
Lanterns are classic and never get old. They can complement all kind of themes you choose to decorate your home.
With a variety of designs and types available to one, they are one of the most versatile and beautiful lights one can have at home. If you want a bright room, you can go for the glass ones.
However, if you are looking for dim lighting, then, paper lanterns are the best choice. You can, also, use the latter if your home is decorated in a traditional Chinese style.
Due to the versatility in its designs, they can be used for theme and at any time of the year. If you want an artsy and open vibe, go for lanterns with creative designs like ones in the shape of a teapot.
On the other hand, if you want a look that can suit every holiday in the year, then classic glass ones are the best. Hang them or place on a bureau, you can use them however you like, and it will look good.
10. Torchère
If you wish to take a trip all the way back to 17th century France, then Torchère or torch lights are the best options for you.
The antique lighting is the perfect addition to your home if the theme is antiquity or historical. The best part about them is that you can use them in two ways.
If you are into candle-light dinners and love the romanticism and glow of a candle, then you can use the tapered wax cylinders in your Torchère. However, if don’t wish to deal with the candle-wax, then you have the option of buying ones with halogen or fluorescent bulbs.
If the former tickles your fancy, then you can opt from wooden and metal ones, and use plain or scented pillar candles. And if the latter is your thing, then look for designs that don’t burn your curtains.
11. Chandeliers
Similar to plug-in pendant lights, Chandeliers are a perfect replacement for your overhead ceiling lights. When it comes to this classic lighting, the image that comes to one’s head is that of grandeur and hanging glass stones.
A chandelier at a living space, be it the living room or the entrance, can give a sense of royalty to the entire place. Moreover, their sheer beauty will be a great conversation starter at social gatherings.
Another perfect place to hang a chandelier would be in the dining room. Especially, if you own a long and antique table and ornate chairs, this baby will fit right into the room and turn it into a room right out of Downton Abbey.
Add a beautiful mirror on the wall and candles on the table, and you have a high-society thanksgiving dinner without actually having to own estates. However, if you wish for something modern, then you can invest in the arty chandeliers that are popular these days.
12. Grandioles
Re-live the grandeur of the 19th century France with Grandioles. These ornamental branched candlesticks will add a historical touch to your home.
It is an excellent choice of lighting to give a luxurious vibe to your rooms. Especially, if antiquity is the theme dominating your living space.
Due to their design, it would best be kept at a table-like surface that looks empty. Grandiloles, with its rich history in the creme layer of the 18th and 19th-century French society, will perfectly match the rest of your gold and glass showpieces at home.
Furthermore, with a resemblance to chandeliers and the candles you would need to light, Grandioles will give you a ride back to history each time you use them.
13. Solar lamp
If grand and old-time lighting is not your thing, then a solar lamp is a safe choice. Especially, if you are short on cash. Affordable and convenient, solar lamps are easy to use and environmentally friendly.
All you need to do is charge these babies in the morning at your balcony or terrace’s sunny spot when you leave for work. By the time you are back, you can light up every inch of your house for the rest of the evening. Solar lamps,
with the current wave of environmentally friendly products, is available at most departmental stores and cost lesser than that fancy floor lamp.
You get to shine as the eco-friendly individual in your social group by using them to light up your home.
Wrap Up
Now that you know how to sufficiently light up your home without ceiling lights don’t waste another second reading this, and get shopping for the perfect lamps for your living space.
