Where there is no place for the queen chandelier, they come to the rescue. Plafonds for ceiling lamps are most often installed in small apartments, rooms with low ceilings and cramped Khrushchev buildings. Being small in size, they perfectly perform their functions - they illuminate the entrusted space with high quality.

Ceiling lamps, despite quite limited opportunities designs are striking in their diversity. The need to use them as the main light source is not a death sentence, but just another interesting task for the designer.

The lampshade today is special kind ceiling lamp. It is a flat disk that is attached directly to the ceiling, close. More similar to overhead chandeliers and is the complete opposite of suspended structures. However, unlike the chandelier, it has a more modest design.

Light sources - lamps - in such lamps are partially or completely covered with shades. This is where the common name of the lighting device comes from.

“The lampshade in such designs is the dominant detail, which solves both functional and decorative problems”

The parts of a chandelier that cover the lamps are also called shades. Most often they can be found on suspended multi-arm chandeliers, as well as some models of overhead horizontal structures. Due to the design features, they are not attached tightly to the ceiling, but directly on the armature of the chandelier arm, and just like lampshades, they completely or partially cover the lamp and diffuse the light.

Modern lighting fixtures also often use shades. For example, the high-tech style really likes to use glass for their manufacture, in Japanese interiors you can find frame paper lampshades.

Today, the largest manufacturers of chandeliers and ceiling lamps have begun to actively introduce the practice of using replaceable shades. For this purpose several various models ceiling chandeliers. And already entire collections of lampshades are offered for them. At the same time, each company has its own method of attaching shades to a chandelier, which forces the buyer to purchase products and accessories of the same brand.

Thus, having bought a set once (a chandelier and a set of shades), you can use them until you get tired of them. And then, when you want to change the interior of the room, simply buy new lampshades of a different shape, color, and, possibly, functionality. The same practice makes it possible to use the chandelier even after one of the lampshades breaks: there is no need to replace lighting fixture entirely, you can simply buy the same lampshade to replace the broken one, or completely change the entire set.

Types and types of lampshades

You can use lampshades in almost any room, interior, to solve any lighting problems. Such vast opportunities have opened up thanks to large selection ceiling lamps of plafond type. Today they can be classified according to the following parameters:

Number of installed lamps

To illuminate one room, you can use either one central lamp with a sufficiently powerful flow of light, or several less powerful lamps. For small room One installed in the center is quite enough. For a room at 14-18 square meters and it is better to use several lampshades, even if not very bright. They will evenly fill the room with light, including areas remote from the center.

One lamp is installed in small lampshades; more powerful lamps can accommodate 5-6 sockets. The main thing when using such a lamp is to strictly follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding selection and installation certain types lamas and their powers. If the differences from the stated characteristics are to a lesser extent, then most likely the light will be dim and not bright enough. And if more powerful devices are used, the lampshade may overheat and melt, and the wiring, which is designed for a lower load, cannot withstand it.

Closed and open lampshades

This indicator determines how the light will be scattered in the room. Ceiling lamps with completely enclosed shades allow you to achieve a softer, uniform glow that fills the entire room. In this case, practically no shadows are formed from the lampshade itself.

Lamps with partially open shades, including carob or horizontal chandeliers, allow you to achieve uneven stepped lighting. Thanks to the presence of the lampshade, the light from the lamp is also scattered and fills the room, and a brighter beam falls through the open space of the lampshade, without refraction or scattering.

This effect is good to use in large rooms and halls where it is necessary to create maximum illumination in the center, and, on the contrary, dim the remote areas. As a rule, additional local lighting is installed in the corners, or away from the center: spot ceiling lamps, wall sconces, lamps and floor lamps. You can use the same lampshade options only for walls.

Degree of protection of lampshades

The lampshade is considered one of the safest and most durable (in terms of lamp life) lighting devices. This is explained by the fact that thanks to design features lamp, you can completely isolate the lamps from contact with environment: dust, microparticles that are in the air of any room, moisture. Lamps whose surface remains clean last much longer because they are less susceptible to overheating.

“The ability to make an electrical appliance completely protected from moisture makes ceiling lamps simply indispensable for lighting rooms with high humidity and temperature. We are talking about kitchens, bathrooms, bathrooms, showers, saunas and baths."

Material for making lampshades

Here producers are limited only by demand. And since each consumer has his own needs and design projects are individual, the most diverse and even unexpected solutions are presented on the market.

• Glass shades.
  One of the most popular and in demand on the market. Depending on the style solution glass can be used both in pure form– smooth, absolutely transparent, correct geometric shapes: balls, hemispheres, cubes. So is processed: melted, faceted, abraded. Often used frosted glass, with printing, prints and painting. Stained glass lampshades are a separate direction in the art of indoor lighting.
• Plafonds made of plastic.
  Also very popular among buyers. Plastic is both a cheaper analogue of glass and a completely self-sufficient material. True, not any plastic is suitable for making lampshades, but heat-resistant one. This is necessary so that it does not deform when the lamps heat up, does not begin to melt, lose its shape and release unpleasant odors. Shapes and colors of the diffuser - for every taste and color. Even elite lighting manufacturers do not neglect this material.
• Paper lampshades.
  More often we're talking about about framed paper products. Such lampshades are very bulky, since placing paper near the lamps is dangerous. Meet as classic solutions, in the form of cylinders, balls, cubes. So and more complex designs. Paper lampshades are not very practical and short-lived, so they are used in the interior more as decoration than to solve lighting problems.
• Wood lamps.
  Both array and derivatives can be used sheet materials. Most often these are decorative carved open lampshades, which serve to decorate the interior and give it certain stylistic features. Wooden lampshades are very atmospheric. When using them, it is impossible to achieve uniform lighting, but you can play with chiaroscuro and accents as much as you like.
• Author's and handmade lampshades.
  Can be made from any available materials. Most often they serve to give individuality to the room, but practical functions are no exception. Such a lampshade can be made of papier-mâché, crocheted or knitted, sewn, woven from willow twigs, and other most unexpected things.

Combined lighting system for the living room, using strings and built-in lampshades. An example of the use of spotlights in the living room interior. Classic lampshade for a ceiling lamp in the interior of the living room.

Lamplights in the interior of different rooms

Ceiling lamps can be placed in almost any room, such as small apartment, and spacious country house. You can choose the required shape, design, color for any interior.

• In the cramped hallway of the Khrushchev-era plafonds perfect solution for bright lighting and space saving.
• For the same small bathroom, you can use one or more lampshades, including placing it directly above the bathtub or shower and sink. You can choose models with a natural range that will not distort colors.
• For a spacious living room, but, alas, with low ceilings, you can use several equal shades or assemble a composition from a central main lamp and several secondary ones located at some distance from the middle of the room.
• In a nursery, a classic boring lamp can be played up and designed in the form of the sun, the moon, a fairy-tale character, or just a cheerful and positive lamp with a face - a smiley face.
• It is worth using several lampshades in the kitchen. Central lighting coupled with local lighting is the most The best decision. And separate switching on will allow you to use them not at the same time, but, if necessary, in different areas - the work or dining room.

Modern ceiling lamps allow you not only to properly illuminate a room, but also to save living space and visually enlarge it. The developing industry does not stand still, and thanks to interesting electronic developments and intelligent systems, the same lamp can provide different programs lighting depending on the needs of homeowners: everyday use, a cozy evening, a friendly party, etc.

Room lighting is a necessity. But if earlier we thought exclusively about the functionality of lamps, today an important role is played by appearance lamp Moreover, not only its design is important, but also the integrity of the entire interior.

Shades for ceiling lamps are sold in several important functions. First of all, they create diffuse lighting, and in addition to this they also decorate the interior. Therefore, when choosing a lighting device, it is so important to pay attention to the main characteristics: size, type and style. There is an opportunity to purchase ready product, and also create it yourself.

Types of ceiling lamps

The design of the lamp includes: body and fixture of the device, socket, lampshade. The last of them is a decorative and functional element; it is often called a diffuser, since the main task is the distribution of directional light. Meet different variants designs.

And most wide choose opens to the user when making a lampshade with his own hands. There are several groups of such structural elements, differing in the degree of openness, the number of light bulbs used and the material.

Types, according to the degree of openness of the diffuser

Regardless of whether you plan to purchase a lampshade or make it yourself, there are several design options to choose from, which vary in the shape of the diffuser:

• completely closed;
• partially open.

Open plastic lampshade

The difference between them is the quality of lighting. For example, closed shades provide soft, diffused light.

Typically, such lighting devices do not create contrasting shadows. It is advisable to use them for general lighting. The second option, on the contrary, promotes the organization of directional light.

In this case, the quality of the glow will depend on how much the lampshade is open. The light of this type of diffuser can be characterized as providing uneven, stepped light.

Varieties, by number of light sources

The peculiarity of the lampshades that are sold in the store is that the design can provide for the installation of several light bulbs united by one diffuser. If you start making it yourself, the easiest way is to implement the option with one light source or combine several small shades into one lamp using a power cable.

Ceiling lamps with completely closed glass shade

The number of lamps in a lamp can vary from 1 pc. up to a dozen, it all depends on what type of lighting element is selected: with an incandescent filament (including halogen analogues), fluorescent and LED.

If several lamps with a filament body will be used, you need to think about the finishing suspended structure, if one is installed, since the light source in this design gets very hot.

Spot lighting elements based on diodes are usually used in large quantities. When choosing a lampshade for a lamp, you need to take into account that as the total power increases, the lighting intensity will also increase.

Difference in material

If the diffuser is made with your own hands, you can use absolutely any available material in addition to standard options. For example, it is allowed to use paper, cardboard, cans, Tetra Pak containers, disposable tableware and much more. Moreover, most hand-made lampshades have unique design and practically do not differ from purchased lamps.

And in the store, the range of models is usually represented by the following types of diffusers:

• glass;
• made of wood with or without glass inserts;
• made of polymer material;
• metal, in particular forged versions.

Glass diffusers come in different variations, including stained glass designs. But not all of these types provide uniform illumination. For example, a wooden analogue usually plays a role decorative element, emphasizes the interior. The peculiarity of plastic products is affordable price. In terms of external characteristics, such diffusers are inferior to more attractive designs: forged, glass.

More about selection

There are several important criteria, allowing you to choose a lighting device that will successfully fit into the interior of the room. These include: style direction, which should correspond to the design of the room; the number as well as the type of light bulbs used.

Purpose of the premises

When choosing and installing a lighting fixture yourself, you need to take into account the general color scheme rooms. The shade of the lampshade should not contrast with the interior. The style in which the room is designed is also important.

For example, the rustic style allows you to install a wooden diffuser, as well as a forged analogue. The glass version is more versatile and can be used in almost any interior.

As for the shade, the lampshade is different colors must be used strictly in accordance with the intended purpose of the room, otherwise the lighting will affect the correct perception of interior items and things.

For example, for suitable for kitchens lampshade in yellow or white color scheme. For the bedroom it is better to choose a design in blue and green shades. It is preferable to install a yellow or orange lampshade in the nursery. And in the living room it is better to use a diffuser in red tones.

Number, type of light sources

The choice of lamps is made taking into account the material of the structure on which the lamp will be fixed. For example, LED and fluorescent versions are suitable for suspended ceilings due to their low heating.

On concrete floor and plasterboard can be used to mount lighting fixtures with any type of lamps, since these materials elevated temperature has no harmful effect. When choosing a diffuser based on the number of bulbs, you need to take into account their total power. In this case, several low-power light sources provide less intense light than one lamp with equivalent power.

Surface attachment methods

At this stage, it is necessary to determine the most preferable installation option, which is especially important if the work will be done by hand. A ceiling mounted ceiling light is mounted on a metal plate that connects to the base of the fixture.

Installing a lampshade and connecting a ceiling lamp

Fastening methods differ according to the type of material from which the ceiling is made:

• tree;
• concrete.

In the first case, installation is easily done with your own hands using self-tapping screws. For the second option, you also need to prepare a concrete drill and dowels.

Features of installing the lighting fixture

Installation of a lightweight lamp is quite simple and does not require special preparation. But fastening heavier devices requires strengthening the frame of the plasterboard ceiling.

If you plan to install the lamp yourself on a ceiling with tension fabric, then it is necessary to take into account the susceptibility of the material high temperatures. There is a power limit for such devices - no more than 40 W. In this case, the lamp is also equipped with a thermal ring.

Do you know what part of the room used to be called lampshades? The ceilings were dome-shaped, which were most often decorated with paintings. Today, this word usually refers to ceiling lamps or diffusers for them. By the way, the light sources in such lamps can be completely closed or partially open, their number is determined by the size of the lamp and lampshade, as well as the need for lighting. So, our task is to cover the topic “shades for ceiling lamps” in this article. Let's understand it.

Device

What is a ceiling lamp:

• The part attached to the ceiling is a reflector made of metal. All electrical fittings are usually mounted on it.
• Cartridges (one or more).
• Diffuser (also known as a lampshade in everyday life, this is what many ordinary people think).

The latter performs three functions at once. First, it protects the lamps from damage. The second is to scatter the light emanating from them. The third is the decorative part of the ceiling lamp. Currently, manufacturers offer a fairly wide range of devices, which are made either of plastic (heat-resistant) or glass (transparent, frosted). Today you rarely see ones made of paper or fabric that are attached to specially made metal frames.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like any lighting device, the interior, apartment or office lighting lamp has its own positive traits, and negative. Let's start with the advantages:

• These are thin lamps that are attached directly to ceiling surface. It is with their help that it is possible to organize excellent lighting in rooms with low ceilings, where hanging a chandelier is simply impossible. Or there is no way to even build a suspended or tension structure, in which built-in lamps are installed. In addition, this type of lampshades is most convenient to install in narrow spaces. small rooms such as the corridor, hallway, toilet and bathroom.
• This is one of the types of lighting sources that can be used in wet areas. Their degree of protection is IP By the way, lamps with a degree of protection IP67 are completely waterproof.
• It should be noted that the majority of manufacturers focus on the functionality of these devices. Although if you look, you can find ceiling lamps of incredible beauty.

And literally two drawbacks:

1. To replace the light bulb, you must remove the lens. And if it burns out during the switching process, then first of all you will have to wait some time for the lamp to cool down. And if it is massive and heavy, then you will have to call an assistant to remove it.
2. It is not possible to install a interior or office lamp to suspended ceiling. The metal reflector gets very hot and can damage the PVC sheet.

Criterias of choice

The choice is based on several positions: performance characteristics, design features and features of the room where it was decided to install the lamp.

Room design

Let's start with the room. First of all, the lampshade is chosen by color. It should either be in harmony with one of the elements of the room, for example, with the walls or ceiling, or contrast. If you want to highlight a lighting fixture so that people pay attention to it, then its color should be opposite to the color of the ceiling trim.

True, there are certain design rules where ceiling lamps have certain requirements. For example, if a ceiling lamp is installed in a kitchen or dining room, then designers recommend yellow or White color. Blue and green appliances may change the color of food. But they will fit perfectly into the bedroom interior.

Lamp power and number of lamps

Each ceiling lamp has a certain power, depending on the power of the lamps installed in it. The thing is that this type of lamp has closed design, so that the heat generated by the lamps remains inside the structure under the diffuser. And if general power lamps will exceed the permissible limit (plafond), then the diffuser will probably burst, melt or darken.

Pay attention to this fact. If you purchased ceiling lights that can withstand the heat of a 100-watt incandescent light bulb, you should not replace it with two 50-watt bulbs. The thing is that the last two emit more heat than a hundred watt.

Installation

The main criterion for correctly selected installation is fastener. If the ceiling lamp is attached to wooden ceiling, then self-tapping screws can be used as fasteners. If the ceiling is concrete, then self-tapping screws and plastic dowels, if drywall, then butterfly anchors. If the ceiling is suspended plasterboard and the lamp being installed has heavy weight, then it is recommended to take care of the base for the lighting fixture even at the stage of constructing the suspended structure. For this purpose, an additional or wooden slats, or metallic profile, to which the lamp will be attached. By the way, installing ceiling lamps or chandeliers with your own hands is not difficult.

As mentioned above, a burnt out light bulb creates problems when you have to remove the lampshade. So, how to remove the lampshade correctly? There are a lot of modifications for attaching the lampshade to the reflector. The majority of manufacturers do this using threaded connection. The thread is applied to both the edges of the reflector and the edges of the lampshade. The thread is left-handed, that is, the diffuser is screwed in clockwise.

There is a fastening in the form of spring-loaded decorative latches. Some models are attached to the chassis with three or four screws that support a mounting groove on the side.

Conclusion on the topic

For the most part, ceiling lamps are ordinary lamps, the light of which is controlled via a switch or dimmer. True, today manufacturers have begun to offer lighting devices with a control panel or with motion sensors. That is, even these simple lamps are being transformed today. Of course, in terms of elegance and design they cannot be compared with chandeliers, but in some cases, apart from their use, it is not possible to organize lighting in the room. By the way, a lampshade for a chandelier is a separate article, but do not forget that it is practically the same thing.