I am a fairly recent convert when it comes to the impact that ceiling lighting can make in a room. Before, I used to just focus on what was happening down below. But the past few years, I have definitely come to realize that it can make all the difference in the feel of a room.
Good ceiling lighting is like wearing a really good pair of shoes. Without them, you look fine. But, when you add just the right pair, it can make all the difference, right? That is the same impact that a great pendant or chandelier can have. Just thinking back about some of the home tours we’ve done here on the blog, take a look at how the ceiling lighting affects the overall feel of the space. Most of my favorite shots involve a beautiful lighting fixture.
The good news is that in the big scheme of things, lighting is not that expensive of an update. Certainly less than changing out your flooring or even buying a large rug. It’s totally doable. Especially if you switch out pieces slowly over time and take advantage of sales. For a few hundred dollars (or less), you can completely take a space from “meh” to mesmerizing.
Types of Ceiling Lighting Fixtures:
There are 3 main categories of ceiling lights: flush mounts, pendants, and chandeliers.
- Flush mount – A flush mount is a light that butts right up to the ceiling. It does not hang down. Flush mounts are more commonly used for rooms with low ceilings, or any where that a hanging light might not be convenient. Here’s a sample of a lovely flush mount fixture:
- Pendant – Pendants hang from the ceiling and typically have one main body. They may have more than one bulb in there, but they read as “one”. You often see them used in a group of two or 3 over a kitchen island, or maybe a large pendant over a small eat-in table. This is an example:
- Chandelier – A chandelier also hangs down from the ceiling like a pendant, but it is usually made up of multiple lighting sources. I would generally categorize chandeliers as a bit larger, but that is not always the case. Sometimes the difference between a pendant and a chandelier is hard to tell. Below is a typical chandelier:
Tips for Choosing a Ceiling Fixture:
Think about your sight lines. When you are looking to add or replace a fixture, think about how the fixture will hang into the space. Will it block a beautiful view? If so, you may want to veer towards something that is open and airy. If not, then you can go with something more sculptural.
Figure out the right size & scale. Depending on the size of the room you are lighting, you will want to pick one that is the appropriate size. For example, if you have a big 10-foot dining table, you will want to stay away from a small pendant. You will need to look for something that is bigger and takes up more of the size of the table. Or…if you do choose pendants, maybe you go with two of them to take up more visual weight.
Use lighting for balancing the style of your room. You may think that your lighting fixture should match whatever “style” the rest of your house has. While I don’t completely disagree with that, I do think lighting is a great opportunity to help you not go overboard with one particular style. For example, let’s say you have lots of cottage elements throughout your house: frills, painted furniture, checked fabrics, etc. Instead of choosing a Cottage style fixture, try out a traditional or even industrial lighting style. You may be surprised how it makes the rest of the room pop!
Determine how much light you need. When you are scanning the web for just the right fixture, you can easily get caught up in the look over function. Take into account how much you need this light to do for you. Is it just for looks? That may be the case in rooms that also have recessed lighting. But if this is the sole light you will be relying on for overhead light in a room, you need to pay attention to the number of bulbs and wattage.
Where to begin?
I have been changing out the lighting in our home here and there in the past few years and love the transformative effect. I’ve also been helping several friends look for the right lighting for their remodels. So, if you think it’s time to get a new ceiling light, where should you start? There are so many gorgeous ceiling lighting options out there at ALL price points. I thought I would do a roundup for you of different ceiling fixtures from a several different online sources to get your juices flowing. I included a variety of styles and types. Maybe one will strike your fancy? Click on the numbers on the caption to go directly to the source.
Have you ever swapped out a generic light for a room-changer like one of these? What kind of impact do you think lighting can make in a home?
Julee McCammon
Informative and helpful, Ale! Thanks!