Choosing a chandelier for a stretch ceiling: tips and tricks

Stretch ceilings are the most popular way today to give a room an aesthetic appearance in literally a matter of hours. It's no surprise that more and more people are choosing this finishing option. And now the question. At what stage is your suspended ceiling? Already implemented or just planning? Because in each case the approach to choosing a chandelier will be different. In the first case, a number of additional restrictions will arise. And in the second, your hands are practically free. But first things first.

In this article, we will tell you which chandeliers are suitable for suspended ceilings and, of course, we will show suitable models from our catalog.

What is special about suspended ceilings?

To make a stretch ceiling, a special PVC film and polyester fabric are used. In terms of their technical characteristics, these materials sometimes outperform plasterboard and suspended ceiling panels because:

• very thin and light material;
• elastic, can stretch almost 2.5 times;
• does not collapse at low temperatures, withstands down to minus 30º;
• a huge selection of fabric textures: matte, glossy, fabric;
• wide color palette: white, colored, metallic, imitation of Venetian plaster and natural stone and much more.

Despite the large number of advantages, there is one small disadvantage: not every chandelier is suitable for a stretch ceiling. To install the lighting device you need:

• use a special mounting platform on the concrete base of the ceiling, because it is impossible to attach anything to the canvas itself due to its softness;
• the use of lamps with lower power, because heating by more than 60º is impossible to avoid deformation of the canvas and fire;
• There is no need to use lamps with special converters, which can overheat in a space without proper ventilation, or use them where there is access to air.

Rules for choosing a chandelier for a stretch ceiling

Based on the features of the tension structure, which we have already considered, we will compile a list of recommendations for choosing the right chandelier.

1. The most successful option would be a chandelier model with shades that point down or to the sides, but not at the ceiling. This way you can avoid excessive heating of the canvas. It is better to choose closed lampshades and lampshades.
2. For the same reason, i.e. overheating of the canvas, pendant chandeliers are considered more suitable because the distance from the ceiling to the light bulb increases significantly. This does not mean that ceiling fixtures will not work at all. They need to pay attention to the base. It shouldn't get very hot, so a metal base is unlikely to work. But the mirror surface will reflect heat.
3. When choosing, take into account the texture of the stretch fabric. Remember that everything is reflected well on a glossy surface, including exposed wiring.
4. The lamp in the chandelier is worthy of separate discussion. What is the power, type, intensity of the glow? All parameters must be taken into account. We'll talk about them in more detail a little later.
5. A few design tricks:

• a small lamp will get lost in the space of a large room;
• a large lighting fixture will visually reduce the area;
• Light directed to the sides, on the contrary, will expand the room.

Types of lamps

After we have figured out the influence of the ceiling itself on lighting and the requirements for lamps, it’s time to move on to the lamps themselves. There are many different types, but the most popular, of course, are chandeliers, so they will be first on the list.

Chandeliers

From the very beginning, it is worth dividing chandeliers into ceiling and pendant ones. Ceiling - those chandeliers that we have become accustomed to since the times of the USSR, their height cannot be adjusted, they hang directly under the ceiling. Most often, their location is the center of the room, and their task is to illuminate the entire space.

Such a chandelier is attached to a special platform between the suspended and main ceilings, so you should think about the location in advance, and only then begin installing the canvas.

The pendants are hung on a dowel or hook to the original ceiling, and the cut in the ceiling is hidden with a special cover. Most often it is sold as a set with a chandelier, but it can also be purchased separately in hardware stores.

The suspension is convenient because it hangs on a wire, which means its height can be adjusted. For example, if the pendant acts as the main lamp in the center of the room, it will be higher than if it acts as additional lighting above the dining area.

You can hang several pendants side by side; it is not advisable to do this with ceiling chandeliers - it will look too massive, the ceiling will visually become lower and heavier.

Spot lighting

Spot lights are small, flat, fist-sized lights that look nice and attract attention. They have a small angle of illumination, so they are used in groups. This is absolutely safe, since diode bulbs are most often hidden inside, which do not heat up at all.

Another advantage of LED lamps is their efficiency: they consume much less energy than incandescent lamps, and last much longer - this is how their high cost pays off.

Such lamps have several more advantages:

• they are resistant to vibrations - they will not break or crack if an earthquake occurs, or the neighbor above decides to try out a new hammer drill on the floor;
• easy to maintain - it is practically not required, since the area of ​​the lamp is too small;
• long service life - up to 4 years, then the light bulb is replaced.

There are two types of spotlights: movable and fixed. In mobile ones , you can direct a beam of light at a certain angle, but you will have to pay extra for such a function. Here it is worth considering whether you will really often change this direction of light, because to do this you will have to take a stool or stepladder, climb to the ceiling and adjust the lamp.

If there is not enough light, it is easier to buy an additional fixed spotlight and install it in the “dark” area.

Diode tape

Diode strip is a flexible plastic into which LED bulbs and resistors are inserted. Thanks to this device, the tape does not heat up at all, so it can be attached anywhere: even along a cornice with fabric curtains - there will be no fire. But most often the diode strip is placed around the perimeter of the room, at the bottom of the cabinet near the work area or at the junction of different types of ceilings, for example, plasterboard with tension.

However, it is not recommended to hang the tape in very damp rooms or near an open fire, as this will shorten the life of the lamp. But practice shows that this is an unnecessary precaution, since the diode strip is often located above the kitchen sink and work area. The service life is impressive - up to 15 years.

This is a budget option, since such a tape is inexpensive and consumes little energy. But it cannot be made the main method of lighting, since there will not be enough light with conventional placement options. Attaching this lamp is very easy - you only need double tape.

But there is one drawback that many people turn a blind eye to: if one light bulb goes out, you will have to change the entire strip, because the lamp cannot be replaced individually. But one light bulb does not greatly affect the degree of illumination, so this is more of an aesthetic problem.

Spot system

A spot system is a rod or rail on which several lamps are located. Such systems are very diverse, for example, a tire can move, bend, that is, it can be given different shapes , making the lighting convenient and unique.

The lamps themselves can be static, or they can move along a rod or rail. In addition, they can move left and right, changing the direction of their light.

Such lamps are suitable for both small and large kitchens. Only if on the first the spot system will play the role of the main lighting, then on the second it will most likely be additional light for the dining or work area.

There are stylistic restrictions. It is clear that a spot system is inappropriate in a classic kitchen, but in rooms in fashionable urban styles it will look very organic. For example, hi-tech, loft, minimalism, modern and so on.

LED lamps

LED lamps are not yet popular in our country, but their popularity should be increased. As the name implies, they are based on LED lamps (sometimes called LED lamps). A special feature is their appearance: most often it is a square or circle that completely glows. Sometimes they are called soft boxes.

The advantage is that the soft box gives a very beautiful and soft light , which makes the room more spacious. Most often, LED lamps are used as the main light source; if the room is small, then they are the only one.

Since they are based on LED lamps, their advantages can also be attributed to the soft box:

• does not heat up;
• consumes little electricity;
• serves for a long time.

Due to the fact that the kitchen is a room with high humidity, you need to choose models with a 12-volt power supply and a transformer. The downside of such lamps is the cost. Some models can change the color and brightness of the light, which has an additional impact on the price.

Lamps for suspended ceilings - design options

Shape and size of a chandelier for a stretch ceiling

The shape and design will depend on the style in which the lighting fixture is made. What to choose is up to you. Based on the general interior and design of the room. Let’s share our experience of what goes perfectly with what, how the design of the chandelier will affect the overall lighting and atmosphere of the room.

A wide variety of materials are used for the manufacture of ceiling and hanging chandeliers: glass, metal, fabric, crystal, special paper, plastic, wood. Some materials are more expensive than others, they have different characteristics and illuminate the area differently. Traditional classic chandeliers, which always remain at the peak of popularity, are crystal devices. Crystal itself is considered a symbol of prosperity, chic and brilliance. If you install such a model on a glossy ceiling, dressed in clothes made of crystal pendants, balls, beads, then the room will simply sparkle with reflections of the sun, because the gloss will reflect the light passing through the multifaceted details.

Another version of the classic chandelier is with light bulbs in the form of candles, mounted on original candlesticks. But such models are not suitable for glossy ceilings, because the reflection will not give the desired effect, because... Only incomprehensible points of light will be visible.

Light sources on a long, rigid rod look good on a reflective surface. In an apartment with high ceilings, for example 3 meters, a similar model will create an interesting ceiling design.

The matte ceiling allows the use of any type of chandeliers. Light is not reflected in it, but scattered throughout the room.

Glass goes well with suspended ceilings. The main thing is that individual parts do not damage the canvas.

Some styles use chandeliers with wooden lampshades. But, probably, this is not the most correct option for suspended ceilings, because the canvas implies lightness and airiness, and wood can make the entire structure visually heavier. It doesn't always look attractive.

The cheapest option is plastic lamps. But cheaper doesn't mean worse. The lightweight material itself will not add extra weight to the entire suspended or ceiling structure. There is one drawback - the plastic fades and loses its color over time.

Fabric stretch ceilings and chandeliers with fabric lampshades go well together. Due to the materials being similar in texture and texture, the entire ceiling looks very harmonious.

Mounting type

Hanging

• hung on a special hook
• easier installation

Invoices

• suspended from a strip attached to the ceiling with self-tapping screws
• require a wider range of work compared to hanging chandeliers

Built-in

• refract light well and provide soft additional lighting
• can be of different shapes
• provide great opportunities in terms of light zoning of the room

Which lamps to choose for a chandelier

We came to one more nuance related to the installation of a chandelier on a suspended ceiling - a lamp. The following light sources are offered on the lighting market:

• incandescent lamps;
• halogen;
• luminescent;
• LED

All have characteristics that allow them to be used correctly.

1. An incandescent lamp is the cheapest way to provide yourself with light. But they are not recommended for suspended ceilings. Firstly, they can destroy the ceiling canvas, especially if they are too close to it. Secondly, the canvas turns yellow over time. Thirdly, the service life of such light bulbs is very short, and, in addition, they can hardly be called energy-saving. Their disposal also requires special conditions so as not to harm the environment.
2. A halogen lamp is a glass bulb filled with bromine or iodine. When the substance is heated, the brightness of the glow increases. With an external bulb, capsule, with a reflector - any of these types can be used in chandeliers for suspended ceilings. But the light bulb power should not exceed 35 W, otherwise the canvas will suffer.
3. A fluorescent lamp is also a normal choice for suspended ceilings. It consists of a flask with electrodes hidden inside. The only thing to consider is that they are not very bright. If you don't need ball lightning at the top, then you can use these bulbs. They belong to energy-saving models.
4. The most ideal solution would be LED lamps. They have a lot of advantages:

• economical energy consumption;
• do not heat up, which means they are excellent for lighting stretch ceilings in any type of chandeliers;
• With the help of LEDs, the most interesting models of chandeliers are made: from simulating a huge sun to twinkling stars in the sky.

Lamps with energy-saving lamps

In most cases, lighting devices with energy-saving light sources are spotlights. Due to the low degree of heating, the lamps can have different powers, and the lamp itself can be located at any distance from the stretch ceiling. In addition, lamps with energy-saving lamps are equipped with a reflector, which serves as a kind of protection from heating for everything that is behind it.

The popularity of luminaires with energy-saving lamps is ensured by their low cost compared to LED lamps.

Location

This is an important point, because you need to think about the location of lighting fixtures when installing suspended ceilings in advance, otherwise it will be problematic to install the chandelier itself afterwards. For a square room, one central chandelier is enough, which will be the main lighting. For an elongated room, it is better to provide two identical models. This will illuminate the entire area, leaving no dark corners. In rooms with architectural features, the center of lighting may be shifted depending on the configuration of the room.

Manufacturers also offer the most unusual stretch ceilings, for example, with photo printing. A lighting device in the center of an exotic flower, as if blooming above you, will look very impressive.

Chandelier for the kitchen

In the kitchen, the choice of chandelier is influenced by the area and shape of the room. For a small square kitchen (usually in Khrushchev-era buildings), a medium-sized lighting device located in the center of the room is suitable. If desired, it is possible to install lighting in the area where dinners are held or food preparation takes place. For a more spacious kitchen, it is better to place a medium-sized chandelier above the table where meals take place. Local lighting should be installed above the work tables.

If the kitchen is elongated, then the option of lamps of the same size arranged in a row is suitable for it. This method of placing light bulbs is also suitable for a studio.

Ceiling color and chandelier color

There is a wide choice of colors for stretch fabric. If it is also beneficial to choose a chandelier, then the ceiling will sparkle with new colors. We're sharing design secrets again.

1. Light or completely white ceilings would be well decorated with a contrasting chandelier. If this is a classic option, then lampshades or bases trimmed with gilding will do a great job.
2. On dark canvases, use the same contrast: white or silver shades, crystal elements, or gold again in the lamp design.
3. The ceiling in the form of a blue sky with clouds is a ceiling chandelier with a closed white shade.
4. Canvas with photo printing? Here you need to choose a chandelier to match the main pattern, then there will be no dissonance and unnecessary diversity.
5. Blue and pink shades look great on a black or chocolate background. Depending on this, select the design of the chandelier.

Photos of chandeliers on suspended ceilings in the interior

A designer chandelier consisting of many metal rods with LED bulbs at the end of each of them. It resembles a dandelion that is about to fly apart into small parachutes. The composition is complemented by lighting along the entire perimeter of the ceiling.

The following lamp model on a black background of a glossy stretch ceiling will evoke unique emotions. Thanks to the design of the crystal lampshade, an exotic flower literally blooms on the ceiling. Such a chandelier will undoubtedly become an interior decoration.

A classic chandelier made of crystal in the form of numerous pendants that convey unique glare from the light bulbs. All of them are reflected on the glossy chocolate-colored surface and create a very tasty picture.

The unusual design of the lamp creates a fantastic visual effect. Long rods topped with small rectangular shades. The arrangement of the elements is repeated on the ceiling, creating a 3D picture.

Here is a version of a colored stretch ceiling in the form of a sky, and in the center there is a luminous circle from a crystal ceiling chandelier. It represents either the sun or a whirlpool of water.

Chandelier with candles in sconces instead of shades. Contrary to the opinion that candle lamps are inappropriate on a glossy ceiling, we see the opposite option. But the peculiarity lies elsewhere - in the color of the canvas. The heterogeneous sand color scheme does not allow light bulbs to be reflected in the form of boring dots.

Original ceiling chandelier on the matte surface of the ceiling. A fairytale butterfly has taken up residence in the children's room. The main body is made of lightweight plastic. Light breaks through the opaque frosted glass and softly illuminates the room.

Chandeliers according to the style of the room

An important role when choosing a chandelier for a room is played by the style of the room. The design of the room can be classic, ethnic, modern, etc.

Classic style chandeliers

This style is characterized by harmony, symmetry and correct proportions. A chandelier made in the spirit of classics will fit into any room.

Country style chandeliers

Distinctive features of the country style are: rustic motif, elegance of forms, unusual lampshades and lampshades, good light transmission and naturalness of the materials used, muted pastel colors. These lamps can be installed from the bathroom to the bedroom or living room.

Chandeliers in a modern style

Chandeliers made in a modern style have a metal base, and shades can be made of a wide variety of materials: glass, plastic, wood, crystal, etc. Modern style is characterized by functionality and minimalism.

High-tech chandeliers

This style is distinguished by numerous reflective objects. The predominant colors are black and white. Additional elements use red. The main materials are glass and metal. The shapes of the chandeliers are clear and geometric (round, square, etc.). Transitions are smooth.

Chandelier in ethnic style

Ethnic style represents the characteristic features of a country. For example, a chandelier can be in African style (the texture of the materials is rough and the shapes are simple; colors: gold, sandy pink, blue, brown). There may also be an Indian style (it is possible to combine floral patterns with geometric shapes; colors: turquoise, pink, orange).

Chandelier in Provence style

The Provencal style chandelier has delicate beige and calm colors. It can be decorated with flowers or ruffles. Natural materials are used. Antique details are present.