Having adequate lighting in your attic is essential for utilizing the space for storage. With the right lighting, you can easily find items, avoid hazards, and create a pleasant environment. There are several lighting options to consider for illuminating your attic storage area.
Types of Attic Lighting
When choosing attic lighting, you first need to decide which types of lights are best suited for the space. Key options include:
Ceiling Mounted Fixtures
Installing ceiling mounted light fixtures is a common way to provide overall illumination in an attic. Flush mount and semi-flush mount fixtures that sit close to the ceiling are popular choices. They distribute light evenly without taking up much room. Ceiling lights often suit attics with flooring and higher ceilings.
Recessed Can Lighting
Recessed canister or “can” lights aim light upward to bounce off the ceiling, creating broad ambient lighting. The canister is recessed into the ceiling, leaving only the trim visible. The lights are energy-efficient and unobtrusive. Recessed lighting works well for finished attics with drywall ceilings.
Track Lighting
Track lighting uses a metal track mounted to the ceiling or rafters with individual spotlights on adjustable arms. The spotlights can be aimed as needed to highlight specific areas, like nooks used for storage. Track lighting offers versatile directional lighting perfect for attics with open rafters.
Chandeliers
For a dramatic look, consider hanging a chandelier as your primary light source. Chandeliers work best in attics with higher ceilings, providing both general and decorative lighting. Mini-chandeliers keep the style while remaining proportionate for smaller attics.
Pendant Lighting
Pendant lights suspend from the ceiling on a cord or chain. They come in endless options, from simple bare bulbs to decorative fixtures. Pendant lights bring a stylish, industrial vibe to attics. Clustered together, they can provide sufficient ambient lighting.
Recessed Step Lights
Recessed step lights are small fixtures set into risers between attic steps. They illuminate each step for safer access to the attic, especially important for spaces used for storage. Step lights are ideal for attics with pull-down ladders or staircases.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting adds a touch of soft illumination for design and visibility. Try wall sconces, mini-pendants, or recessed lighting to highlight architectural details or accentuate storage nooks. Accent lighting works great paired with other light sources.
Lighting Placement Tips
Proper placement of attic lighting ensures your storage space is illuminated efficiently. Follow these tips:
Add Fixtures Near the Entryway
Attics are often dark, so it’s smart to install overhead lighting near the attic entry point, whether it’s a staircase, ladder, or hallway. Ceiling lights or multiple recessed cans work well to flood the entry area with light.
Light the Perimeter
Locate light sources around the edges and perimeter of the attic to bounce light off walls and illuminate the overall space. Try flush mount fixtures, recessed cans, or pendant lights.
Highlight Access Points
Install lighting to brighten up access areas and guide you to stored items. Try placing recessed cans or track lighting above attic openings, pathways, and near storage areas.
Use Directional Lighting
Take advantage of directional lighting like track lights and recessed cans to precisely highlight storage nooks, hazardous areas, and access points as needed.
Add Layers of Light
Layer ambient, task, and accent lighting to create visual interest and fully illuminate attic storage spaces. Combine several lighting styles like recessed and pendant fixtures.
Light Steep Sections
In attics with changing elevations, add extra lighting at the top and bottom of steeply angled sections for visibility and safety if storing items there.
Choosing Attic Lighting by Storage Use
The way you utilize your attic for storage can guide your lighting choices to provide the best illumination.
General Storage Spaces
For attics used for general storage needs, install ceiling lights or recessed cans throughout the central area to brightly light stored items. Accent lighting can spotlight stacks or bins.
Heavily Used Attics
If the attic gets daily or heavy use for accessing stored items, opt for multiple overhead light sources to provide ample ambient lighting for visibility and safety.
Finished Attics
In finished attics with drywall ceilings, choose seamlessly integrated lighting like recessed cans, flush mounts, and mini-pendants that complete the room-like design.
Workshop Spaces
For attic workshops or craft areas, use directional lighting like track lights and under-cabinet fixtures to brightly illuminate task spaces without shadows.
Seldom Accessed Areas
In attic areas accessed only occasionally for overflow storage, minimal ambient lighting may suffice from a simple central ceiling fixture.
Lighting Options Based on Ceiling Type
The ceilings in your attic also affect the lighting options suitable for the space.
Vaulted Ceilings
Vaulted ceilings slope up to a center point. Flush mount fixtures, pendant lights, track lighting, and recessed cans work well. Avoid overly large fixtures that appear out of proportion.
Finished Drywall Ceilings
For drywall ceilings, almost any conventional lighting fixture looks great. Prioritize seamless built-ins like recessed cans and minimal trim profiles that integrate with the smooth ceiling plane.
Open Rafter Ceilings
Attics with exposed rafters and roofing materials are perfect for adjustable track lighting systems mounted directly to the open framework. Mini-pendants also suspend nicely.
Truss Ceilings
In attics with truss-style ceilings, look for lighting that mounts easily to the triangular webbing. Flush mounts, pendants, and track heads fasten well to truss members.
Lighting Design Tips for Attic Storage Spaces
Beyond function, thoughtfully designing the lighting layout also enhances the ambiance of your attic storage area.
Create Zones
Group matching light fixtures over distinct storage zones to define specific areas. For example, install recessed cans over book storage and pendants over household items.
Highlight Architectural Details
Use accent lighting to draw attention to exposed beams, trusses, eaves, and other attractive architectural features often found in attics.
Layer Lighting Levels
Start with general ambient lighting and supplement with directional task lighting as needed in heavily used storage areas for added visibility.
Incorporate Dimming
Dimmers allow adjusting the light level to suit changing needs. Dimmable LED recessed and pendant fixtures work well for attic lighting.
Hide Wires and Fixtures
For a streamlined look, select flush mount fixtures and use wiring tracks or conduit to conceal unattractive wires running across ceilings and beams.
Follow Codes
Adhere to local electrical and building codes for proper installation, especially regarding clearance between lights and insulation, exposed wiring, and switches located near attic entries.
Focus Light Downward
Choose lighting that aims downward to illuminate stored items below. Up-lighting is less functional for storage spaces. Select shielded fixtures to prevent glare.
Recommended Attic Lighting Features
The best lights for your attic have features optimized for use in this unique environment.
Damp Location Rated
Attics tend to be damp, so look for lighting rated safe for use in damp locations by UL or ETL to prevent short-circuiting.
Insulation Contact Rated
Only install fixtures approved for direct contact with insulation so it can safely surround the canisters or housings.
Airtight Construction
Well-sealed attic lighting prevents unconditioned air, dust, and insects from entering the fixtures where they could impact performance.
IC Rated (Insulation Contact)
Insulation contact rated lights are designated safe if surrounded by insulation after installation. IC ratings meet building code requirements.
Impact Resistant
Impact resistant polycarbonate or aluminum construction withstands the scrapes and bumps from moving storage items in and out of tight attic spaces.
Motion Sensors
Attics with pull-down ladders or minimal natural light benefit from lighting with built-in motion sensors that turn on when you enter the space.
Smart Compatibility
Choose smart attic lighting controlled remotely by apps, voice assistants, and automated systems for convenience and energy savings.
Lighting Your Attic Stairs or Ladder
Staircases or ladders leading up to attic storage areas need great lighting too for safety and function.
Step Lights in Staircases
Line stair risers with low-voltage LED step lights to clearly illuminate treads without glare. Power them off a rail or cable system.
Handrail Lighting
For direct handrail lighting, look for small LED strip lighting designed to mount under railings, along with dimmable drivers for just the right ambiance.
Ceiling Fixtures
Overhead pendant or semi-flush mount fixtures help light the full staircase or ladder area. Install them high enough to avoid hitting your head.
Pull-Down Ladder Lighting Kits
Convenient all-in-one ladder lighting kits integrate power strips, push button LED pucks, and motion-activated LED strips to automatically illuminate attic ladder areas.
Battery Powered Lights
Strap simple battery powered puck lights onto existing ladders and steps. They turn on and off with built-in sensors to light your way any time without wiring.
Smart Lighting for Attics
Smart attic lighting connects to wireless systems and apps for remote control, automation, and energy savings. Consider these options:
Smart Switches
Swap regular light switches for in-wall smart switches allowing voice or app control. Useful for attics with staircases where wall switches are already installed.
Smart Plug-In Bulbs
Screw LED smart bulbs into existing fixtures to instantly add app and voice control. Great for quick smart upgrades in attics with basic lighting needs.
Smart Fixtures
Invest in pendant, recessed, and track heads with integrated smart technology for full-featured smarts like dimming, scheduling, motion activation, and automatic daylight dimming.
Lighting Control Kits
Some retrofit LED lighting kits include simple wireless controls for basic on/off and dimming functionality without a hub required. DIY-friendly options.
Wireless Smart Systems
For whole-attic smart lighting, install a central hub or bridge and connect wirelessly controlled LED fixtures, switches, and bulbs throughout the space. Control everything from an app.
Energy Efficient Attic Lighting
Energy efficiency should be a priority for any attic space used for storage. Here’s how to save energy:
Use LED Light Bulbs
LED lighting is the most energy efficient. Replace incandescent bulbs in existing fixtures or choose new LED fixtures. LEDs last for years with minimal energy use.
Install Occupancy Sensors
Occupancy sensors automatically turn lights on and off based on detecting motion in the attic. Helpful for spaces accessed occasionally.
Choose ENERGY STAR Fixtures
Seek out the ENERGY STAR logo when shopping for attic lighting. These fixtures meet or exceed efficiency guidelines set by the EPA.
Use Smart Lighting Features
Smart attic lighting adds options like schedules, motion sensors, and daylight dimming to automate lights in ways that save energy.
Look for High Efficacy
Check the lumens-per-watt ratio when choosing fixtures. LEDs with a high ratio (100+ lm/W) produce more light per watt consumed.
Group Storage Wisely
Organize storage strategically so you can turn lights on only in the zones needed when retrieving items, rather than lighting the entire attic.
Install Dimmer Switches
Dimmers allow lowering light levels, so attic lights don’t have to burn brightly all the time. Use dimmable LEDs.
Maximize Natural Light
If possible, install skylights or solar tubes to allow natural light into your attic storage space to reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day.
Lighting Maintenance Tips
Proper maintenance keeps attic lighting performing optimally in the warm, dirty environment.
Replace Burned Out Bulbs
Replace dead LED, incandescent, or CFL bulbs as soon as possible to maintain adequate light for storage access. Keep extras on hand.
Clean Fixtures
Dust attic light lenses, diffusers, and trim rings regularly to maximize light output. Use mild cleaner and a soft cloth.
Inspect Wiring
Check wiring for damage like frayed cords, cracks, loose connections. Replace compromised wiring to prevent hazards.
Check For Overheating
Ensure fixtures aren’t surrounded by insulation, which can cause overheating. Leave recommended clearance spaces.
Hire an Electrician
For complex lighting repairs and updates, hire a licensed electrician experienced in attic work. They’ll ensure proper, safe installation.
Regularly maintaining and improving attic storage space lighting improves visibility, creates a better ambiance, and most importantly, keeps you safe. Follow these guidelines and select the right lighting fixtures to fully illuminate your attic. With the proper lighting plan executed, your attic storage space will become much more usable and enjoyable.