21 Lighting Designs To Explore For Your Vaulted Ceiling (& Which One To Avoid)

If you think that vaulted ceilings are right for your new home or your home already features them, picking the right type of lighting is necessary. The fixtures won't just affect the architectural appeal, but will also impact the brightness of a room. To make the decision easier, we've curated a list of lighting designs to explore for your vaulted ceiling.

While the designs will provide you with options, you'll also want to consider the ceiling's incline, height, and symmetry between opposite sides. Considering these factors will ensure your interiors are well-lit, the lighting doesn't cast harsh glares, and there are no blind or blinding spots. For instance, you must pair a tall ceiling with a bright fixture or the light won't reach the dark corners of a room. Similarly, focusing on the symmetry will tell you how to weave ambient, task, and accent lighting together at the correct distances from each other. Regarding the types, pendant lights and chandeliers are your best friends, and you want to avoid down or recessed lights since they can endanger the roof insulation. That being said, here are some exquisite vault ceiling lighting designs for your home.

Do you like decorating your home with flowers? If yes, why not bring the beauty to your vaulted ceilings, too? Don't worry. You don't have to climb tall ladders or bend unnaturally like Michelangelo to paint a nature-themed mural. Simply draw inspiration from this Lotus-shaped flower light to bring nature home. Here, the wooden petals and globe-like bulb in the center bring the flower alive. You can also look a fixture with multiple blooms, like this $368 lily-inspired option from Doco.

Your well-placed focal points deserve a spotlight to shine bright. Fortunately, hanging pendant lights are just perfect for the job. They illuminate the statement without detracting from it, and can add visual interest to a space. But, you don't have to settle for boring pendants. Asymmetrical fixtures look chic and beautiful. Plus, with the number of options out there, you can go with something simple or one with more ornate details.

If you want the lights adorning your vaulted ceilings to be the center of attention, selecting a unique design is a must. Here, the drum-shaped pendant light fixture is sure to draw the eye. Add the clash between contemporary silk covering and nature-inspired twigs to the mix, and you're one step closer to wowing onlookers. Install such unique fixtures in your living or family room to spellbind your guests or hang it from the sloped ceiling in your bedroom to admire privately and make the 'counting sheep' exercise more fun.

Exposed bricks are the height of the industrial chic design. While they look gorgeous as an accent, pairing light fixtures with them can be quite difficult. If you're in a similar quandary, antique-looking lights might be just what the doctor (or designer) ordered. But, before you get lost trying to find a secondhand fixture, look for modern interpretations will add a little charm to your sloped ceilings. Plus, the lovely shadows will make the architectural style look elegant.

You may bring out confetti and sparklers to celebrate a special occasion. But, if you like to let your hair down, seize each day, or simply dance with your partner when no one's looking, a fancy chandelier will fit right in with your vibe and vaulted ceilings. Your home will always look party-ready and you'll have the opportunity to bask in the star-esque glow. Win-win! That being said, ensure the chandelier isn't too heavy, or you'll have to pay for a reinforced brace to safely install the stunning light fixture.

If you're a fan of rustic decor but would like to display something more sophisticated than the typical rugged designs, control the narrative with chain pendants. The chains will conform to the rustic design while their hue (silver, in this case) will soften their overall character. Staggered lights will also offer your sloped ceiling a unique personality. Hang them above the island in your kitchen, in your living room, or dining hall to complement your interior decor. 

Not in the mood to pay a premium to complement your sloped ceilings with eye-catching light fixtures? DIY a statement piece instead of saying goodbye to your vision. A stained wooden log, sturdy chains, and a couple of bulbs will help you achieve a similar look. But, you must keep a few things in mind. One, extensive DIY knowledge is necessary to properly hang the log from your ceiling, or it could come crashing down. You must also know the right way to safely connect the bulb cords to the power sources. 

Have a little (or lot) of space between your crown molding and vaulted ceiling? Don't let the area go to waste and line it with LED strip lights to brighten up your home in style. For a simple look, go with bright white ones to provide ambient lighting once the sun goes down. Alternatively, pick colorful LED strips to turn a room into a disco within seconds and bring the party home (literally!). All you have to do is nestle them in the empty space, so they aren't visible to the naked eye.

Wind chimes are known for producing soothing sounds and attracting positive energy. The same can be said about a wind chime-inspired light that cascades down your vaulted ceilings. Go with the classic design or check out varied shapes, designs, and materials. There are more ornate options with a cascading silhouette as well as ones that are super modern, like this $799 version from Amazon. So, select one that goes with the overall vibe and formality of your space.

Wagon wheels are a rustic lighting idea that'll add flair to your home. Luckily, your options aren't limited to the wooden wheel and candle-inspired LED lights. You can choose one with lamps situated along the spokes for a modern touch. Or opt for a material change, like replacing wood with metal, for a more contemporary fixture. You can play around with the stains and hues, too. Bulbs fanned along the wheel's circumference or dropping down like jewels are another good option. But if you want something a little more theatrical, look for tiered models like this $325.99 one at Wayfair.

Are you always looking for ways to connect with nature and implement biophilic design in your home? This fixture features faux metal leaves that frame the bulbs hanging from the vaulted ceiling. Although live plants are the go-to for incorporating the design trend, faux foliage is best for situations, like lighting. Then, play off the fun fixture with a space filled with touches from nature.

Ornate pendant lights are the epitome of luxury. The stunning fixture will make your vaulted ceilings stand out and grab eyeballs. Fitting almost all interior designs, their warm glow will make a room appear more inviting and relaxing. Play around with light options in various shapes, sizes, and the number of bulbs depending on your preferences, the square footage of the room, and how bright you want the fixture to be. Different finishes, like brass, chrome, or bronze will define the pendant's look, too.

Having vaulted ceilings in the kitchen can feel limiting, especially in areas you need task lighting, like the island. But instead of settling for typical bulbs, determine if your space allows you to install few globes (or another fixture) on a lower-hanging ledge. Just ensure the height you go with doesn't get in the way or makes you inadvertently hit your head. Similarly, pick lights that aren't too small, defeating the purpose of task lighting, or too glaring to induce a headache when you're trying to work.

Embracing bohemian decor isn't just about adorning your walls, floor, or furniture with organic and colorful decorative items. You should pay attention to the ceiling, too. And, a rattan ceiling light fixture is perfect for adding ambient lighting to a room. Rattan baskets, hats, cones, cups, and wicker bins are all fair game. But, if you want something a little unique, check out an infinity-shaped (or asymmetrical) light. 

If you like throwing opulent parties and being the talk of the town, it's only fitting that your ceiling feature an exquisite lighting source. Need a little help choosing the right fixture? Simply draw inspiration from F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby". While you want a feature that naturally draws the eye, you don't want something veering into overindulgence — unless you identify as a maximalist. In other words, you want to strike a balance between luxury and elegance with a balanced crystal chandelier.

Before electricity was invented and bulbs became mainstream, people often had to resort to candles and lamps to illuminate their homes after dusk. In keeping with the theme, the medieval age also featured candle lit chandeliers to brighten a room on a large scale. So, if you inhabit a historical home or just want a lighting fixture that's a cross between the bygone era and modern chic, a candle-esque chandelier is an excellent choice. Plus, you can get the nostalgic aesthetic right without having to painstakingly light each candle.

If you'd like your ceiling fixtures to serve as accent lighting, go with a few cylindrical lights of varying heights and circumference, and group them together for a distinct look. You can combine various sizes, shapes, and colors for an eclectic look or use uniform ones for a more streamlined one. To really lean into the magical aspect, string a few fairy lights along the length of the ceiling and turn off the main lights to bask in the glory of your ceiling lights.

Do you feel a connection with the natural elements or identify as a sun sign? Capture the sun's glorious rays in a chandelier and hang it up in your home. The best part, though? This style will work with most interior decor themes, including a modern farmhouse design. But, you might want to rethink your choice if you happen to have very tall ceilings since this can make cleaning difficult as dirt, dust, and cobwebs will leech your sun ray-inspired chandelier of its elegance.

For people set firmly in the contemporary camp, a funky piece will fit right in with your decor choices. Uber modern and asymmetrical like fixtures can also play well off rustic or industrial accents. Although reminiscent of a childhood game, pick-up sticks or jack straws, it'll brighten your interiors and stand out from the crowd. You can also look for similar lights in different finishes, styles, and the number of bulbs for one that works best in your space. 

Like we mentioned earlier, you should avoid using recessed spot lights with vaulted ceilings. Besides creating issues with the insulation, the lights also might not provide adequate illumination. But you might not have much of a choice if they came with the home and you don't have the budget for a full-blown renovation. Under such circumstances, nestle a bright chandelier among the downlights. It won't just make your ceiling look more beautiful but the refracted and reflected light from the crystals and beads will bring in more light to a dim room.

Do you love Edison bulbs but don't want to hang naked bulbs from your vaulted ceiling? Give the bulbs a bespoke frame, like a cube, to glow from within. You won't have to compromise on the amount of illumination you need in a particular room and you can define the style of the frame. For example, go with a wide open one for a minimalist look and to change dead bulbs and clean dirty ones easily. Or, go with a semi-closed shade with fabric or mesh to protect the bulb and create a more diffused light source.