Uplights in lounge and hall.

[meanmum]

I've just found out that it will be quite hard and expensive to put downlights in our lounge room ceiling and hallway. Because we're in a flat and it is quite an old flat it will make an incredible mess and won't be able to be done without either lowering the ceiling, which I don't want to do, or replastering as it is.

The electrician that came around suggested using lights in the floor against the walls and just pulling the couches foward slightly. This won't impact on the room really as it is quite large already.

Can anyone (SofiaAmes your expertise would be greatly appreciated) give me some advice about whether this is sensible, practical, cost effective and will it increase the value of our property and give it a wow factor.

One last question, anyone know where I could get some glass shelving for the walls. If I have uplights it would make sense if we go with shelving on the walls to have them as glass so the light shines through but I don't really want to be able to see the supports if I can help it. Therefore, I don't want those brackets that run up and down the walls as I want the whole feel to be discreet.

A friend had uplights in her living room but she didn't embed them - just bought lights which were designed to go on the floor and light upwards. She had two behind one sofa and one behind a chest IIRC.

If you ring a glazier you should be able to get shelves cut to your specification - and if they are good they will help you WRT to what thickness of glass you will need, depending on what you want them for, whether to use safety glass, etc. They'll also grind the edges so you don't have any sharp bits.

Not sure what to suggest about supports. Hope someone else has ideas.

Thanks Sue. I didn't think about going to a glazier which is a much better idea as that way I can specify exactly what I want.

Given that the traditional center ceiling light is, apparently, an interior design no-no, then you shouldn't have a problem. I'd suggest a combination of low level floor lighting and taller standard lamps that would throw light up high.

A glazier may be able to help you with where to look for supports for your shelves too. Failing that (and I can't remember where you are), Ikea have glass shelves and arc shaped metal brackets. You won't get that vertical track of slot in brackets, just 2 per shelf.

Thanks Soupy. I'll head off to Ikea today to have a look. We're in central London.

Actually meanmum, you have just inspired me!! I am about to do my living room and lighting is causing me much anguish. We can't have ceiling lights - low ceiling already - and hae loads of wall lights with the most revolting gold twirly bracket things. None od the B&Q type places have much that is nice, the ones I like are £68 for a single bracket (I need 5!) ouch Up lighters might help solve this, I can put some either side of my fireplace or near the piano! Thank you sooo much

It really depends on how you use your living room. I am a big fan of the "Interior design no-no" as soupdragon puts it (she is right, architects and designers currently seem really attached to these little sparkly things that you see in restaurants) and have just put large old central lights in almost all of the main rooms in my new house. On dimmers of course!!!!

I would be concerned that the uplighting in your lounge might not give you enough usable light. It's probably fine in the hallway. Why not try putting a few little side lamps on the floor behind your couch and see what type of light it gives off. Also, I don't know what age your kids are, but you have to be careful of how much those lights heat up. There are new LED ones and fibre optic ones that don't heat up much. What type of floor do you have? How is the electrician planning to run the electrics under the floor. Replastering the ceiling might not be that bad...?
There is a company in Park Royal that does glass called Preedy's and their sister company called Prefit does every glass fitting you can think of and a few you can't. If you don't find anything at ikea, it might be worth popping into them (only about 10 min. from ikea).

As it happens, we have centre lights in all rooms bar bathrooms & kitchen and I love them too!

A warning re stand alone uplighters - we have one from Habitat as the previous owners took out the center light (God knows why) for the living room. BUT DS loves to shake it and all this rattling against the wall is very bad for the bulb - tends to make them blow prematurely. Also in the summer, moths and flies are attracted to the light and burn up - the smell is disgusting!

Thanks again all. SofiaAmes - I'm going to see the people you suggested. They sound fantastic.