Types Of Light Fixtures You Didn’t Know Your Home Needed
When Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, he probably had no idea how much it would revolutionize the design world and continue to do so for centuries! If you haven’t noticed by now, lighting is arguably the most powerful element that can transform any space, indoors or outdoors, whether it's commercial or residential. Ask a home decor enthusiast or a professional interior designer about the importance of lighting, and you might be in for a long (but passionate) conversation!
Think about it. Every time you’ve walked into a space that immediately felt inviting or awe-inspiring, you might credit the decor or design. And while that plays a huge role, what you may not have consciously noticed is the lighting. It’s what sets the mood and creates that atmosphere we either fall in love with or feel uncomfortable in.
On that note, let’s jump into this blog post! Before we get into how to choose the perfect light fixture for your room, I want to introduce you to the different types of light fixtures that are out there. Think of this as your go-to guide to help you build a strong foundation when it’s time to select the right fixture for your own dear home.
Understanding the Distinction: Light Fixtures vs. Lighting Types
It’s super important to get the hang of the difference between light fixtures and lighting types, especially if you’re a newbie in the home decor world. Understanding this distinction will help you choose the right fixtures to achieve the desired lighting effect in your home!
Light fixtures are the actual products you see in front of you, the table lamps, floor lamps, pendant lights, chandeliers, and more. These are the actual physical pieces that you install in your home.
And lighting types refer to the ambience each fixture creates in a room. There are three types of “ambience” that a light fixture can exude.
Ambient Lighting: Provides overall illumination for the space. You need this type of lighting to brighten up an entire room.
Task Lighting: Focuses light on specific areas for activities like writing, reading or cooking. You need this lighting for certain tasks.
Accent Lighting: Highlights specific features or decor elements, adding depth and interest. You need this type of soft lighting to add the luxe factor in your home.
Most homes rely heavily on ambient lighting in the form of recessed lights (you’ll learn what these are below, if you don’t know), and that’s often all you’ll find. These are the standard ceiling light fixtures that are seen in a typical home or apartment. They are the basic builder-grade lights that come with a modern house.
Understanding Types Of Lighting Fixtures
Now comes the fun part, the reason we’re all here! Let’s dive into the 4 main categories of light fixtures that you can use to deck out your home and transform your space into something truly special:
1. Ceiling Lights
Any light installed on or within the ceiling falls under the category of ceiling lights. This category is broad and includes a variety of fixtures that brighten up your space beautifully. Examples of ceiling lights include chandeliers, pendant lights, recessed lights, and flush mounts.
For those who may not know, recessed lights are those sleek, round fixtures that are built right into the ceiling. You’ll often find them in modern homes, they brighten up any space very well.
On the other hand, flush mounts are fixtures installed very close to the ceiling, creating a seamless appearance as if they’re almost “flushed” into it.
In short, ceiling lights are essential for providing the necessary illumination a room demands.
Where do you need these?
Recessed lights are the primary fixture every home needs to illuminate an entire room without taking up much visual space.
Chandeliers add the elegance and luxe factor and can be installed in an entryway, over a dining table, in living rooms, or bedrooms.
Pendant lights are hung over an island or a peninsula to add more layered lighting to an existing set of recessed lights.
Flush mounts work great in homes with low ceiling height and are perfect for spaces like an entryway, bathroom or hallways.
2. Wall Lights
Wall lights are lighting fixtures that are mounted directly on walls. They are both functional and decorative purposes. Examples of a typical wall lights are wall sconces, swing arm lamp, picture lights, and up/down lights.
Where do you need these?
Wall sconces work great in bedrooms over nightstands, bathrooms next to mirrors.
Swing arm lamps are adjustable lamps with arms that can be moved around. They are also great in bedrooms, or reading nooks.
Picture lights are the fixtures you find over a framed art, photographs or wall hanging. They enhance the beauty of the decor piece.
Up/Down lights are type of wall sconces that exude light both upward and downward. They are commonly used on the exterior of the house but also work just as well indoors too.
3. Floor Lamps
Floor lamps are pretty self-explanatory. They are tall, standing lights that add style and function to your room without needing to be mounted anywhere. They’re super versatile! You can move them around whenever you feel like switching things up. Whether you need extra light in your living room for a cozy evening or want a reading nook that’s perfectly illuminated, a floor lamp can do the job.
Where do you need these?
Floor lamps are a beautiful addition in living rooms to add ambience.
They also look amazing next to an accent chair in a bedroom.
Or even in your home office!
4. Table Lamps
Table lamps are those small but mighty lighting fixtures that sit on top of surfaces like nightstands, side tables, or desks. They’re not just there to light up your room, they add personality and style to your decor!
Where do you need these?
Table lamps in bedrooms are a great addition for the soft glow, a dimmable table lamp is my personal favorite.
These also look nice in living rooms on the side tables and balance out the light illuminated by ceiling lights.
And intuitively table lamps in home office or bedrooms on a desk are perfect for adding more flare to your workspace!
Lighting Fixtures and Lighting Types Together
Now that you’ve got a good grasp on lighting types (ambient, task, accent) and lighting fixture categories, let’s explore how they work together.
For example: What kind of lighting does a flush mount provide? This handy table I put together will help solidify your lighting knowledge and make it easier to choose the perfect fixture for your home. By the way the answer is Ambient lighting!
Now that you know the types of light fixtures that can transform your home, you have a solid foundation! Lighting isn’t just functional, it’s a design statement that can completely change the vibe of a room.
Layer different lighting types, ambient, task, and accent, to create a space that’s not only beautifully lit but also uniquely yours. Once you start paying attention to lighting, you’ll notice how much it impacts the feel of your home.
Stay tuned, in my next post, I’ll be sharing how to choose the perfect light fixture for your home. You won’t want to miss it! Happy decorating!
