Lighting for Mezzanine Floors and High Spaces — Challenges and Solutions

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Lighting for Mezzanine Floors and High Spaces — Challenges and Solutions

Not every space has the grandeur of a cathedral — and that is quite fortunate. Low interiors, mezzanine floors, sloping areas or superstructures can be exceptionally cosy, but on one condition: the light must work with them, not against them. For such places, every inch of height is worth its weight in gold as far as design is concerned. Choosing the right luminaires is therefore not only a question of aesthetics, but also of functionality. A light source that is too massive may overwhelm the space. In contrast, a light source that is too weak may well make it gloomy and uncomfortable. However, well-chosen luminaires can work wonders: they can optically raise the ceiling, illuminate difficult nooks and crannies and bring out the character of even the lowest mezzanine floors. How do you achieve this? Read on to learn what to look for when choosing lighting for low ceilings. Because light can do more than you think.

Main Lighting Without a Suspended Ceiling
One of the most common limitations in mezzanine floors and low rooms is the impossibility of installing a suspended ceiling. This forces us to look for surface-mounted solutions that provide adequate lighting despite their small size. Luminaires with adjustable light intensity and colour are an excellent option, allowing you to match the atmosphere to the time of day or the function of the room.
One example of such a luminaire is the model from the Kanlux PLAVE series, which combines the functions of lighting and ventilation. Featuring an integrated fan, it will prove particularly useful on the mezzanine floor, which accumulates heat from the entire room. This solution is well worth considering — in the evening, it allows you to easily ventilate the mezzanine floor before bedtime, and if you use it as an office, you can simply leave the ventilation system running throughout the day. The ability to regulate the colour and intensity of the light is also a major advantage, as mezzanine floors rarely offer sufficient natural light.

Point Light Sources in Areas with Limited Space
When you want subtle ambient or zone lighting — for example in passageways, above the bed or in mezzanine corners — it is worth opting for small ceiling-mounted lights. They do not take up much space, are easy to install and work well with low ceilings. A good example is the Kanlux ERTON — a compact luminaire, which can be matched with LED bulbs with a soft light output. Such a combination will provide atmospheric lighting that does not dominate the interior or dazzle users, making it an ideal choice for a sleeping or resting area.
If the ceiling light is used as the only light source in the room, be sure to opt for a wide angle. Kanlux PLAFMIN, our most universal ceiling-mounted light, would be an excellent choice here. It comes in white with a neutral hemisphere shape and no ornaments, and allows you to choose your preferred light bulb. It is a perfect lighting option for low spaces.

LED Strips — Flexible Decorative Lighting
Indirect light can play a major role in the case of mezzanine floors and high rooms, for example, by highlighting the shape of the staircase, the railing line or the bed frame. In this respect, LED strips are one of the most versatile solutions, as they can serve both a decorative and practical function.
Our new strips from the Kanlux LCOB series offer uniform illumination and adjustable colour and intensity (e.g. using the Kanlux REMOTE). LED strips offer a great deal of design freedom — they can be set up in areas unsuitable for other light sources and used as additional night lighting or accent lighting.

Side Lights Instead of Ceiling Light
Side lights are a great choice for mezzanine bedroom spaces, which cannot accommodate classic suspended lamps. Wall-mounted luminaires emit diffused, friendly light, while not requiring overhead space — a vital advantage in low spaces. The minimalist Kanlux TONIL wall-mounted luminaire can be mounted, for example, on either side of a bed or at the entrance to a mezzanine floor. Perfectly suitable as a reading light and a night light, it also works well as a zone light whenever the main lighting is not required.

Built-in Functional Lighting
Mezzanine floors commonly feature recesses under stairs, lockable wardrobes and small dressing rooms. For comfortable use, it is advisable to provide them with automatic switch-on lighting. This eliminates the need to install additional switches while providing light exactly when you need it.
The simple but effective Kanlux CALIZA series of furniture-mounted LED luminaires is an ideal choice for such spots. It is a detail that significantly affects the comfort of everyday use. Kanlux CALIZA allows you to adjust light intensity and switch the light on or off using a single button on the side. Further, the lamp is rechargeable via USB-C. Its best feature, however, is the ability to detach it from the base, turning it into a portable light that allows you to illuminate every nook and cranny and then simply hang it up again (it is attached to the base with a magnet).

When furnishing a mezzanine or low-ceiling interior, there is no need to compromise on space or atmosphere. Simply go for smart solutions that combine design with function and do not take up precious space.

Surface-mounted luminaires such as the universal Kanlux PLAVE, the compact Kanlux ERTON or the timeless Kanlux TONIL allow you to comfortably illuminate a space without overwhelming it. Add a few subtle LED strips or the practical, functional Kanlux CALIZA luminaires, and you have a recipe for illumination that not only looks wonderful but can help you create a multi-level lighting arrangement. After all, well-designed lighting makes everything seem a little bit taller. Even a mezzanine floor.

Lighting for Mezzanine Floors and High Spaces — Challenges and Solutions

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