Lighting for a low hallway

[aesmith]

Hi,

We have a hallway or passage from the kitchen to the front of the house. Relatively narrow, and the ceiling's only 7'. It's currently lit with a pendant which is unsatisfactory as the bulb's not much above eye level, and you couldn't fit a shade without it being too low. From my rough notes the passage is just under 5m by just over 1m.

What's the best way to light this sort of space? It doesn't need to be too bright, for example a 5W CFL in the current fitting is just about OK.

Looking for ideas for a quick fix, I thought of a drum bulkhead light on the ceiling in place of the rose, but these seem to take 28 or 16W tubes which will be too bright - can you fit less powerful tubes in this sort of fitting?

Thanks,

Tony S

 

[securespark]

I don't know about less bright, but if it's saving electricity you're after, you can get LED lamps for the 2D fittings.

5W 2D to replace a 16W:

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p57...=25046340983&gclid=CIW8_uf1hLsCFSKWtAodqUMAoA

 

[slippyr4]

LED spots?

 

[EFLImpudence]

You can get 'batten lampholders' which fit directly to the rose to which you can fit a normal shade - a pendant with no pending.

 

[aesmith]

I don't know about less bright, but if it's saving electricity you're after, you can get LED lamps for the 2D fittings.

It is brightness really, I don't like more light than necessary. The adjacent bathroom has 28W 2D and that would be much too bright.

However looking at those LED you linked, it looks like they're significantly less bright than fluorescents. For example from that supplier's descriptions "5W replacement for 2D 16W 2 pins, 450lm, 64 LEDs, 163 x 30mm" compared to a fluorescent .. "Sylvania Energy Saving 2D Style CFL Lamp 16W 2 Pin 1050lm". I found the same with GU10 replacements, an LED said to be replacement for 50W halogen was actually no where near as bright. So that could work, and there's a decent choice of fittings that take 2D.

Tony S[/b]

 

[ban-all-sheds]

http://images.google.com/images?q=led+panel+light

 

[aesmith]

http://images.google.com/images?q=led+panel+light

Thanks .. I think a couple of panels or maybe shallow domed lights would be just the job. I don't want it too crude and functional, nor dazzlingly bright, so it's striking the balance between that and "dim and dingy". Do I see from elsewhere that you're not a fan of spot lights?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

You do.

 

[bernardgreen]

I am looking at using small diameter LED rope light recessed into the top of a picture rail for a hall way with a low ceiling. But not until next year.

 

[aesmith]

I am looking at using small diameter LED rope light recessed into the top of a picture rail for a hall way with a low ceiling. But not until next year.

Sounds interesting, I assume the idea is the LED illuminate the ceiling, so would need to be aligned. Where would you get them? Thanks.

 

[bernardgreen]

One source among many is

http://www.lyco.co.uk/outdoor-lighting/decorative/rope-lights.html

No need to align the LEDs, you can't align the LEDs in a rope light. If you difd then there would be un-even illumination on the ceiling. The effect is better when the light is diffused.

Be sure to get a rope that is static by default. Many ropes go into a flashing mode when switched on and have to be set to static by pushing a button a few times.

I have considered using a reflective surface in the recess to get most light up to the ceiling but it may not be necessary based on some rough trials.

 

[RF Lighting]

Bernard, have you thought about some LED strip rather than rope light? It might be a bit easier to conceal for you.

We fit loads of this as kitchen under cabinet lighting, and it's brilliant stuff.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320657702...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_2553wt_1115

 

[bernardgreen]

Bernard, have you thought about some LED strip rather than rope light? It might be a bit easier to conceal for you.

Yes I did and still am but have to consider adequate protection from dust and dusting, bare stone walls create a lot of dust. Also rope lights are quite tough when moved around as is likely from time to time for total cleaning.

LED strip is fine when fixed underneath a shelf / cupboard in a clean kitchen

 

[aesmith]

In the event we went "Low Tech" by fitting a light with a round opal shade that takes standard BC bulb. I fitted an 11W "Daylight" CFL, a type I've never used before and it's quite remarkable how much brighter it seems than the other CFLs I've used, and I much prefer that whiter light.