When it comes to choosing cable lighting, you need to choose the right one. Cable lighting is a low voltage lighting system that makes use of a conductive tensioned cable to provide you with a wide variety of lighting arrangements.
Cable lighting that is hung with ambient, decorative fixtures and accent runs in the parallel arrangement below the ceiling. This makes it the ideal choice when you cannot reach the electric source because of cathedral ceilings or exposed ductwork. One good thing about cable lighting is that they can be mounted calling to wall, wall to wall or ceiling to ceiling. They are also capable of direction changes.
Speaking of cable lighting, fabric cable lighting could be the best choice for you. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about fabric cable lighting.
Fabric Cable: The Basics
Before you opt for fabric cable lighting in your house, you need to understand the difference between fabric cable for lighting and fabric covered electrical cable. Many of you think that both types are the same but they are not. There are clear differences between the two types and we have pointed it out below.
- Fabric cable for lighting
Fabric cable for lighting is the special type of cable that is designed for lower power usage. This type of cable is mainly used for table lamps, pendant lights and even for floor lights.
This is just 3 core, 8 am the cable which comes wrapped in high-quality fabric. You can use this cable type with light bulb holders and ceiling roses. With the help of these lighting cables, you can create your light fittings.
You will find a wide range of fabric cable colours. From yellow to pink, there are plenty of colours available to choose from. They are preferred by homeowners as they work great for interior décor. You can even get a variety of textures including smooth fabric cable, the vintage style fabric cable and braided fabric cable.
The best choice would be around fabric cable. This is the most common choice when it comes to home lighting. They not only look good but are also easy to work with. Just like any other fabric cable, you can get a wide variety of colours. You can use round fabric cables with hanging lights in your home.
If you don’t want fabric cable as simple as a round one then you can opt for fabric braided lighting cable. The braided texture of the cable is what makes it stand out from the rest. You can use this for all your low voltage lighting use.
No matter what fabric lighting cable you choose, you need to make sure that they are covered in high-quality fabric.
- Fabric covered electrical cable
On the other hand, fabric covered electrical cable is designed for heavy-duty use. It is meant to handle 16 amps and more of power demands. Not just that but it is also quite thicker than a fabric cable for lighting. Due to the thick size of the cable, you cannot use a fabric covered electrical cable in any of the lighting components like ceiling roses or bulb holders.
This type of cable is mainly suited for re-wiring. You can also use it if you have to make your extensions. This fabric cable type can be used for anything that requires 240V mains power to operate. With the use of this type of cable, you can easily eliminate the use of inferior plastic wires.
From the above discussion, the difference between the two types of cables should be clear to you. Now that you know what is used for what, you can choose your cable accordingly.
How to choose the right fabric colour?
As you may already know fabric cables are available in a wide variety of colours. This gives you plenty of options to choose from. But many of you can get confused about choosing the right colour. You need to pick the fabric cable colour based on your wall colour and design. Here are some guidelines to help you out.
- Monochrome palette
If you have an industrial-style décor then you should stick to monochrome colours. This will suit your interiors better. You can choose from black, grey, white or blue. These fabric cables add a focal point to your lighting to turn it into a masterpiece. If you can tone these neutrals with the décor of your building then it will allow the lights to shine more.
- Colour pop
If you cannot leave out colours from your industrial-style décor then you can opt for colour pops. You have a wide spectrum of colours to choose from. Starting from orange to purple, to pink, you can choose any colour that you think will go well with your décor. The best thing to do is to match the cable colour with accent accessories in your home. This will help you create a unique look that you want.
- Industrial chic
If you like it vintage then you can opt for industrial chic. The best thing would be if you go for some texture like the braided ones. The industrial-chic gives an old vintage look that is available in a wide variety of soft metal colours. This could be the perfect choice to add some subtle industrial look to your décor.
- Contrasting fabric cable
If you are looking for something striking that will get your attention at once then you should opt for contrasting fabric cable. The combination of the black and white cable looks old fashioned but it is just fine for your décor. This type of fabric cable looks great with black enamel shade.
From the above discussion, we know what fabric cables are used for. There are different types of fabric cables available based on colour and texture. Therefore, you need to be a little picky while choosing the right one for your home lighting.