Brighten Up Your Space with These 11 Track Lighting Ideas
With designs that range from understated to upscale, track lighting is an incredibly versatile and stylish way to light your space. Track lighting is a system made up of light fixtures called heads” or “bullets” that are integrated with a “track” or “monorail,” which contains electrical conductors to power each light. And while you might think of it first and foremost for kitchens or for commercial spaces like boutiques or galleries, track lighting can also be installed on ceilings or walls to brighten up multiple areas in your home.
Track Lighting Overview and Benefits
Adjustability
One of the greatest benefits of this kind of lighting is that once your track is installed, you can easily adjust and reposition each head to direct light exactly where you want it to shine. This makes track lighting perfect for highlighting artwork and architectural features that you want to illuminate. Some systems have fixed heads, while others allow you to slide heads anywhere along the track.
Versatility
Track lighting can be configured into almost any layout to complement your space. Install a single long track with multiple heads, or hanging pendant lights, to light long walls. Or place several shorter tracks in unique configurations, ranging from zig zags to geometric patterns, to create extra visual interest and adaptability in pointing light exactly where you want it to go.
Ease of installation
Compared to other lighting systems which must be hardwired into your home’s electricity at several points, a track light only needs one point of connection to support multiple light sources.
Modern aesthetics
Replace outdated fixtures to give your room an updated, modern look with the sleek and clean lines of track lighting. Models that have thin, elegant tracks work particularly well in smaller spaces, so as not to overwhelm the ceiling with bulky fixtures.
Energy efficiency
Track lighting can contribute to the energy efficiency of your home when used with LED light bulbs. LEDs are highly energy efficient, using up to 90% less energy than other light sources; they also last much longer than incandescent or halogen lights, reducing the cost and hassle of replacing bulbs.
11 Stunning Ways to Design with Track Lighting
1. Linear Configuration
Imagine an art gallery or a corridor with paintings hanging on the walls. Then imagine a straight line of consecutive track lights illuminating key points along the walls. This is the most basic application of track lighting, but it is still beautiful and effective. Just be sure that the light heads are spaced closely enough to illuminate the art, yet far apart enough so that they don’t create harsh brightness.
2. Geometric Patterns
Track lighting does not have to be limited to straight-line uses, it can also be installed in patterns. Whether you choose to shape a large, continuous square in the center of your room with track lights, or implement a zig-zag pattern on the ceiling, don’t be shy about bringing a bit of creativity to the layout of your lighting.
3. Flexible Track Designs
Some track lights come on curved tracks or monorails, and some tracks are even flexible so you can bend them to your own desired arc. These graceful curves open up new possibilities for creating rounded and flowing shapes on your ceiling or walls with the fixtures, as well as with the light that they cast.
4. Layered Lighting
Combine track lights with recessed ambient light and pendant task lights, using the track lighting to accentuate design features that you want to highlight. This will create a multi-layered effect of lighting that brings visual interest and drama to the room.
5. Task Lighting
Use task lighting to provide focused light for work areas such as a desk in your office, a kitchen counter where you will be slicing and sauteing, or even over a piano. This will give an extra boost of brightness when the overhead ambient light is not quite enough for you to see clearly.
6. Accent Lighting
Track lighting is also ideal for spotlighting architectural features or focal points in a room, drawing attention by accenting them with light. The adjustable heads allow you to direct light precisely, and by highlighting certain features more brightly and leaving others in relative shadows, you will create an overall atmosphere that is both visually interesting and beautiful.
7. Highlighting Artwork
The flexible heads of track lighting also make it perfect for spotlighting artwork. Position them in a way that invites visitors to come closer and look at the beautiful textures and colors of a painting, photograph, or mixed media piece.
8. Wall Washing
Place track lights close to the edge of a room and then turn the heads so that they softly and evenly illuminate the wall. Light will fall down the wall in a uniform way, hiding imperfections, doing away with shadows, and lighting up the wall so it becomes a feature in the room.
9. Mixing Fixtures on One Track
Many track lights allow you to switch out heads for other light fixtures, such as pendants and floodlights. Track lighting pendants are a lovely way to focus direct light on a kitchen island for meal preparation, or over a dining room table. Be sure that the pendants or floodlights are compatible and that they coordinate with other visible track lighting and lighting fixtures in the room.
10. Varying Color Temperature
When it comes time to select bulbs for your track lighting, remember that all light has a color temperature that is measured in Kelvins, ranging from 1,000 to 10,000. You can vary the color temperatures that are used in a single space, so that some track lighting has a bright and clean light (over 4,500 Kelvins) for task areas, while other track lighting has a softer warm color with hints of amber or yellow (around 3,000 Kelvins). This will give a sense of depth to the room.
Also, be sure to consider LEDs, since they use around 90% less energy than other types of light bulbs and often do not have to be replaced for years. Many of today’s LEDs come in color-tunable versions, so you can adjust the color temperature based on their use or even on the time of day.
11. Using Track Lighting in Outdoor Spaces
Track lights aren’t only for indoor installations! Install them on your patio, either with spotlight heads or pendants, to create a delightful outdoor ambiance for entertaining friends or quiet evenings with the family. Just be certain that the track lighting you choose is weatherproof and rated for outdoor use.
At Visual Comfort, We’re Here to Help
If you’re looking for track lighting – or just as importantly, other forms of lighting that coordinate with track lights – then you’ve come to the right place. With a wide variety of chandeliers, pendants, wall sconces, table lamps, floor lamps, and much more, we can help you shape the atmosphere you want in any room of your home. Visit visualcomfort.com to get started.
FAQs
What are the different types of track lighting systems?
Today’s track lights come on straight or curved tracks, long or short, in many different finishes. Once the track is installed, you can mount spotlights, pendant lights, or even floodlights to bring the right vibe to your space – just be sure that all of the component parts are compatible with each other.
What are the best bulbs for track lighting?
Many lamp heads for track lights can be used with either halogen and LED bulbs. If you choose LEDs, you’ll be making a selection that helps with the energy efficiency of your home and produces less waste, since LED bulbs do not need to be replaced as often as other types of bulbs.
Can track lighting be used in any room?
Track lights can be used to brighten any room – from dark hallways to a work-from-home office, a cozy den, a modern kitchen, or a living room that showcases beautiful works of art.
How do I choose the right track lighting design for my space?
First, figure out the length of track light rail that you need, then you can determine the number of heads necessary. A good rule of thumb is to have at least one foot of space between each light head, to provide even illumination that does not overwhelm the ambient light in the room.