Long room light from one ceiling rose?

[SimonD]

Hey everyone,

We've just bought a new place and are in the process of decorating before we move in. The problem we have is that the lounge (20ft long) is lit by just one light in the middle from one, and this is totally inadequate.

We're looking at substantially improving this, but are not sure how. We don't have the time to start channeling new wiring down to the light switch to put in multi 'zone' downlighters, and wiring new lights from the existing ceiling rose via the ceiling void is difficult thanks to an I-Beam cutting across the void supporting the floor above.

Does anyone have any more ideas as to how to improve the lighting? We've looked at the obvious B&Q etc chrome lights with 4 or 5 spots lights on a bar, but realistically these don't reach far enough into the ends of the room for our needs.

Any ideas would be very much appreciated. Perhaps some sort of remote control for some spots or something?

Thanks

Simon

[andy6581]

I ahve something like this in my kitchen to replace a single centre lamp. Got mine off ebay for £40 though!

http://www.oceanlighting.co.uk/ceiling-lighting-1/...

[miniman]

We had this dilemma and actually I hate overhead lighting so in the end we went for a selection of floor and table lamps. This has the problem of having to go round switching them on, so:



So you can switch them on and off all together.

[SimonD]

Oooh, thanks! Both of those look like good solutions. That long bar looks like it can take 400W worth of bulbs! How much can a dimmer switch take?

[miniman]

SimonD said:

How much can a dimmer switch take?

Providing you buy a suitable one, more than enough.

e.g. 1000W - http://is.gd/b0bmE

A bit more expensive, but for obvious reasons.

[andy6581]

I have these throughout the house. Rated upto 600w.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/VLIS1701.html

I can control all the downstairs lighting from the couch

Edited by andy6581 on Friday 26th March 12:41

[hairyben]

A track gives much potential to use different fittings, ie a couple of pendants + spots to highlight pictures etc.

http://www.mr-resistor.co.uk/products.aspx?search=...

[SimonD]

Lots of good ideas, thanks.