Double Height Ceiling Lights

A double-height ceiling gives a room real drama, but it takes the right fitting to light it well. Hang a normal-sized light in a tall void and it looks lost; the answer is to go big and go long, with a large chandelier, a long-drop pendant or a staggered cluster that fills the vertical space and becomes the feature of the room.

How do I light a double-height ceiling?

Think of the fitting as filling the space, not just lighting it. A large chandelier or a long-drop pendant drops down into the void and gives the room a centrepiece, while the light itself spreads down and out across the space below. The taller the room, the more presence the fitting needs, so this is the one place where bigger really is better.

How low should a fitting hang in a double-height space?

As a rough guide, hang the bottom of the fitting around first-floor level, or a little below, so it fills the void without dropping so low it gets in the way. Over a stairwell or a hallway, a staggered cluster of pendants at different heights follows the space beautifully and looks intentional rather than awkward.

Chandelier, long-drop pendant or cluster?

• A large chandelier for a grand, traditional or glamorous look.
• A long-drop pendant for a clean, modern single statement.
• A staggered cluster of pendants to fill a stairwell or wide void.

What about changing the bulb up there?

Access is the one catch with high ceilings, so it's worth thinking about before you buy. A rise-and-fall fitting lowers on a pulley for cleaning and bulb changes, long-life LED bulbs mean you rarely need to reach up at all, and for fixed fittings it's wise to plan how you'll get to them, whether that's a tall ladder or a pole. A bit of planning now saves a lot of hassle later.

Getting the scale right

The most common mistake in a tall room is going too small. A high ceiling swallows a modest fitting, so size up: a wide, tall or multi-tier piece holds the space where a single small pendant would disappear. When in doubt, go one size bigger than feels natural.

Where double-height lighting works

Double-height fittings suit entrance halls, open-plan living rooms, vaulted ceilings and especially stairwells, where the drop over the stairs is the perfect place for a long chandelier or cluster.

Buying double-height lighting in Ireland

From grand chandeliers to long-drop pendants and clusters, we have statement lighting to fill a double-height space, all available to order online with fast delivery across Ireland and Europe.

Related categories

Browse chandeliers, pendant lights and cluster lights, or see all ceiling lights.