I love helping customers select a light fixture for their house. There are always people who decide builder’s basic is right for them. Every once in a while, somebody truly understands the power of lighting in their interior design style. I’ve gotten to help a customer find the perfect green pendants, which were the most expensive but most beautiful lights I’ve ever seen, and I’ve gotten to dream about a cohesive look for an entire house based on a photo from a magazine.
For a super in depth buyers guide, check this one out! Start by mixing up the different types of lighting and then consider the style as part of the group. The house looks better with one cohesive look but you can flex slightly from room to room. Frequently, if there is a fixture you love but it doesn’t fit perfectly with the rest of the design, I suggest you use it in a bathroom or closet. Smaller rooms are easier to have a single, unmatching style.
This article may contain affiliate links. They don’t cost you anything but they help to support me giving you great content. Check out our disclaimer page to learn more.
Flush Mount Light Fixture
Basic
Brand: Sunset Lighting
Bulbs: 2
Finish: Satin Nickel
Glass: Frosted
Twist Opal
Brand: Sunset Lighting
Bulbs: 3
Finish: Satin Nickel
Glass: Opal
Crystal Drum
Brand: Elk Lighting
Bulbs: 4
Finish: Steel
Glass: Crystal
Bronze Basic
Brand: Elk Lighting
Bulbs: 2
Finish: Deep Rust
Glass: Satin
Be sure to check out the coupons available on all of the light fixtures above!
The most basic and common light fixture is a flush mount. They sit, you guessed it, flush with the ceiling of the home. Their low profile makes them perfect for areas where you have a lower ceiling height and their typically simple design makes them perfect for areas that you want an understated style. You should remember though, even these small light fixtures can have incredibly intricate designs.
Common Uses
Most bedrooms use a flush mount light fixture to provide light. However, you can also use these fixtures in hallways and bathrooms where you need a little extra light. Make sure that the fixture is centered in the middle of the room or walkway. These fixtures tend to look a little strange if they are off center. Many hallways will pair a couple of these lights to adequately light the hallway. Of course, with the advent of better LED light bulbs, you can get away with fewer light fixtures than ever before.
Selection
I typically recommend selecting your flush mount light fixtures last if they are not going to have intricate or distinctive styling to them. They are the easiest light fixture to flex into your design style. If you want one with style to it, select that first and build the room around it.
Chandelier
Bronze 3 Light
Brand: Minka Lavry
Bulbs: 3
Finish: Sand Coal
Glass: Frosted/Clear
4 Light Convertible
Brand: Minka Lavry
Bulbs: 4
Finish: Koa Wood/Pewter
Glass: Clear
5 Light Down
Brand: Cecilia
Bulbs: 5
Finish: Sating Nickel
Glass: Opal
Colerne Linear
Brand: Kichler
Bulbs: 6
Finish: Classic Pewter
Glass: Seeded
Be sure to check out the coupons available on all of the light fixtures above!
Chandeliers are the light fixture frequently chosen first by homeowners looking to change their lighting. These are large light fixtures that have the most intense style differences. Since chandeliers add such a tremendous style and flavor to a space, I recommend selecting the chandelier as the first light fixture in your design plan. Let the other light fixtures work off the chandelier.
Common Uses
People frequently use a chandelier over a dining table but there are numerous other uses for them. I love wen a customer selects a small, blingy chandelier to use in their walk in closet. It’s such an unexpected touch of style and it’s not expensive. You can also put a chandelier in an open stairwell in order to draw a visitor’s eyes up and add a vertical aspect to your design. If your ceilings are vaulted, it is important to select a chandelier that can hang an angle.
Selection
Since chandeliers tend to be the most expensive light fixture in a home, it is vital that you select one that agrees with your style. Do you have a Craftsman style? Or are your tastes more Modern? Whatever your style, you can find a chandelier to fit. Don’t be afraid to ask the sales person to order you a light fixture in a different color in order to fit into your interior design style.
Pendant Light Fixtures
Starburst Mini
Brand: Contemp. Lighting
Bulbs: 1
Finish: Satin Nickel
Glass: Clear
Wire Pendant
Brand: Eglo
Bulbs: 1
Finish: Black
Glass: N/A
Sarabia Pendant
Brand: Eglo
Bulbs: 1
Finish: Chocolate
Glass: N/A
Bonare Pendant
Brand: Eglo
Bulbs: 1
Finish: Chrome
Glass: Clear
Be sure to check out the coupons available on all of the light fixtures above!
For such long fixtures, pendants tend to get the short end of the stick. Most people think of them only for use over a kitchen sink or kitchen island but they can be so much more! Pendants typically are a smaller fixture that hangs at the end of a long cord or rod. For design, pendants offer tremendous potential. These fixtures, due to their small size, can add a pop of design for a small price. Pendants are an excellent light fixture to explore a new design style.
Common Uses
Pendants can be used over a kitchen island or sink to provide some extra task lighting to the area. However, this type of light fixture can be used to provide task lighting to any area, not just a kitchen. For example, two pendants hanging on either side of a bathroom mirror provide the best natural lighting to do makeup with. Pendants can also be used quite effectively over a small reading nook to give direct light to the area.
Selection
Pendants are usually an inexpensive and simple way to add some design style or an extra pop of color to your space. Don’t hesitate to choose one in a more adventurous style than you would normally choose. You can also choose one that doesn’t quite go perfectly in your space but fits almost. In my opinion, pendant light fixtures are the best ones to let yourself free. Just make sure that if your ceiling is vaulted, like a chandelier, you choose a light fixture that allows for that.
Sconce Light Fixture
LED Sconce
Brand: Progress Lighting
Bulbs: 1
Finish: Brushed Nickel
Glass: Alabaster
Up Light
Brand: Progress Lighting
Bulbs: 1
Finish: Brushed Nickel
Glass: Etched Opal
Hedge LED
Brand: George Kovacs
Bulbs: 1
Finish: Dorian Bronze
Glass: Frosted
1 Light Sconce
Brand: Sunset
Bulbs: 1
Finish: Brushed Nickel
Glass: Opal
Be sure to check out the coupons available on all of the light fixtures above!
A sconce is one of the most overlooked light fixtures available to the average home owner. These fixtures sit on the wall and provide unobtrusive light in hallways and entryways around the world. While they are not the fanciest fixtures, sometimes you can get a little design into them. Sconces are frequently found in a match to chandeliers and pendants available in the same families.
Common Uses
The sconce can be used in any small areas to provide some light. Hallways, stairways, alcoves, and entryways are all common areas to find a sconce. A sconce light fixture can especially benefit an area with shorter ceiling height since they don’t hang from the ceiling and reduce it even more. Similar to pendants, sconces can also be used beside bathroom mirrors to provide better lighting.
Selection
Unfortunately, sconces are the least loved of all light fixtures when designed by manufacturers. They tend to be very boring, though there are a few with a lot of style to them. Most home owners tend to prefer low key and understated sconces that will give them a cleaner look down the wall face. Sconce light fixtures can be found in styles matching almost any family of light fixtures available.
Conclusion
Each light fixture holds an integral part in the overall spatial design of a home. You spend thousands of dollars on every faux knot in your luxury vinyl flooring and every perfectly placed granule in your granite countertop. Dress up you light fixtures to match and you will never regret it. The light fixtures are like the jewelry of a house and they can take it from everyday to sparkle with very little investment or effort. While this list provides a basic understanding of the major types of light fixture, check out Better Homes and Gardens for more extensive information. There are so many other lighting options, from vanity bars to outdoor fixtures. Ultimately, each of them will affect your design in your home.
