5 Overhead Light Fixtures for your Home
Overhead light fixtures are a key element in the design of a room. So much so, that many lighting designers encourage homeowners to think of them as “architectural jewelry.” Since ceiling fixtures are such an important part of a room, often serving as beautiful focal points in a space, finding the perfect one can be a painstaking process. However, knowing your options along with a few dos and don’ts is a great way to start your search. Let’s take a look at the five most popular residential overhead light fixtures and where they are typically used in the home.
Ceiling Fans with Light Bulbs
Living Rooms
Bedrooms
Home Offices
Giving off light with the ability to cool down a room without touching the thermostat, the standard ceiling fan with four light bulbs faire is usually chosen more for its practicality than its looks (though that’s an important consideration as well). Ceiling fans are popular in rooms where you spend a lot of time, and thus where you’ll want to regulate air flow, such as living rooms, bedrooms, and home offices. Outdoor-rated fans are also a common option for porches or large back patios where people congregate for summertime festivities. There are many considerations that go into selecting the perfect ceiling fan, the most helpful being fan size, clearance and mounting, as outlined in part one of our three-part ceiling fan buyers’ guide. Read the other two parts for more helpful advice!
Recessed Lights
Living Rooms
Kitchens
Bedrooms
Often laid out in multiples throughout a room, recessed lights (also called recessed can lights or recessed downlights) are great for providing bright, even illumination to every corner of a spacious room or floor plan. This makes them ideal for living rooms, kitchens, or even bedrooms that are too large for a single overhead light source to adequately brighten up the area. However, rooms must be wired for a recessed-lighting layout prior to installation, so if recessed lights are just what your space needs, start the process of getting them in your home by contacting an electrician.
Close-to-Ceiling Lights
Hallways
Bathrooms
Closets
Foyers
Due to their compact size, close-to-ceiling lights are ideal for general purpose lighting in small rooms or areas with low ceilings. Because they don’t take up much space, close-to-ceiling lights are similar to recessed lights, except they are a little larger, aren’t typically installed in large groups, and come in a wide selection of finishes and materials, from crystal to wrought iron. Flush mount close-to-ceiling lights show only the lens and trim below the ceiling, whereas semi-flush mount fixtures are slightly suspended for increased versatility and to allow more light to reach the ground. They are usually found in hallways, bathrooms, closets, and foyers.
Chandeliers
Dining Rooms
Foyers
Chandeliers are most commonly used to greet guests in the foyer or to complete the look of a dining room. However, they can be used to upscale many other rooms in your home as well, such as master bathrooms and even living rooms. Chandeliers come in a variety of styles and finishes to suit any décor scheme, though almost all of them must be lit using decorative bulbs with a candelabra base. When choosing a chandelier, it is particularly important to make sure they aren’t too big and that they provide the right amount of light!
Pendant Lights
Kitchens
Dining Rooms
Pendant lights are one of the top lighting trends for 2015, with DIY versions often installed in multiples at varying heights or clustered together as one fixture. However, they can be bought as-is in several unique shapes and styles as well. They are usually installed in kitchens over islands or in dining rooms over the table, but they are becoming increasingly popular in bedrooms, bathrooms, and other places as well. Important things to consider when buying a pendant light include shape, rod length, and style.
Finally, keep in mind that while certain fixtures are more prevalent in some rooms than others, most are not limited to one specific place. Think about what fixture would better serve your space:
Does your room have the high ceilings necessary for a pendant light, or should you choose a close-to-ceiling light to save on space?
Does your ceiling fan need to be equipped with lights?
Would your room benefit more from recessed lights laid throughout, or a single light placed in the middle?
Regardless, it can’t hurt to know your options in addition to the norms so you don’t overlook a potentially perfect fit. Just remember to consider style, shape, color, and size once you’ve found the perfect lighting accessory! Do you have any questions or comments? Feel free to send us a line below or on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or Instagram!
