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Wall-Mounted Track Lighting?

pricklypearcactus

13 years ago

What do you think of wall-mounted track lighting on a tall vaulted wall in a contemporary space?

I have a 1970s house with transitional leaning contemporary style. In the living room, there are no permanent light fixtures except for a small one in the entry way. In addition to lamps, I would like to add some permanent lighting for the room. It has vaulted ceilings with faux beams (currently painted dark brown, I hope to somehow restore to stained wood or encase in another layer of stained wood). The vaulted ceiling does not have much space for wiring above it and has 5% asbestos popcorn texture. While at some point we will hopefully address the popcorn ceilings, I am not certain whether we can or will want to add lighting to the ceiling. What do you think about wall-mounted track lighting? The wall spans about 130" and is very tall. I would want to run track lighting near the top for probably most of the length of the wall. Would this provide enough lighting for the room?

Does anyone have wall mounted track lighting? Any pictures to share? Thanks in advance.

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Comments (4)

larke
13 years ago
I personally think it would be a bit odd, but if you decide to do it, call local art galleries for advice on how and what - they use it extensively.
wi-sailorgirl
13 years ago
Have you given any thought to track lighting on one of the faux beams? Not sure if that would work in your application but it's a pretty handy trick.

We have track lighting illuminating the fireplace on one of our exposed trusses. I like it because you can't see them unless you're looking for them.

The thing with track lighting, other than the stuff meant as gallery lighting, is that none of it is very pretty so ideally it sort of disappears in the ceiling. Regular track lighting on a wall wouldn't be too attractive, I don't think.
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pricklypearcactus
Original Author
13 years ago
larke, that's a great idea to call local galleries on what they use. I definitely would want something simple, but aesthetically pleasing like the lighting in an art gallery. I am also a little worried about it looking odd.

Honestly, I am not a big fan of track lighting on beams. While my beams are not terribly spectacular right now, they were one of the things we liked about the home and I feel like putting the track on them would take away from the beams.

wi-sailorgirl, do you have any pictures of your lighting on one of your exposed trusses? Maybe I just haven't ever seen it done properly.

I definitely would not want to do just regular track lighting. I would do something intended for the wall that stands out from the wall a few inches. I've seen some in an office building that looked fairly simple but pretty.

I am really struggling to find pictures, but here are some ideas of the types of wall-mounted track lighting that I am considering.
Donna Cecere
2 years ago
I’m thinking about putting track lighting on the wall too but over my bathroom sink/ counters. I just can’t seem to find a “vanity light” that is long enough and putting 2 of the same looks really weird. Also a 1970’s split level . So anything goes.

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