How To Choose The Best Ceiling Lights for Your Home (2024)

Lighting

How To Choose The Best Ceiling Lights for Your Home

  • Jul 27, 2021
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Most modern homes are pre-wired for a ceiling light fixture in the center of each room. What type of ceiling lights are best? Glass dome lights have become a scourge, with builders and DIY renovators sticking them everywhere. With all of the unique and creative ceiling light designs available today, there's no reason to use a generic dome light. The variety of styles and finishes available is amazing. From low-key farmhouse designs to sparkling modern glam, our guide will help you find the perfect ceiling light to complement your decor.


How Low Should A Ceiling Light Hang?

Interior designers have plenty of formulas for calculating lighting sizes with various ceiling heights. But you only need to remember one number when shopping for ceiling fixtures, and that number is SEVEN. If people will be walking under a ceiling light, the bottom of it can't hang lower than seven feet (or 84 inches) above the floor.


Measure your ceiling height, subtract 84 inches, and that's the maximum height for your new light fixture.


How Bright Should Ceiling Lights Be?


Interior designers agree that you should have more than one lighting source in a room. Combine different types of lighting to create ambiance, and make sure task areas are well-lit.


There are three types of lighting: task, ambient and accent lighting. Ceiling lights are used for ambient or general lighting, so they should be quite bright when lit. In areas like hallways and closets, they're usually the only light source. In bedrooms and living areas, ceiling lights work together with lamps, which provide task lighting and additional ambient light. Dimmer switches are a smart addition that instantly turns ceiling fixtures into soft accent lighting.


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Choose a ceiling fixture that's bright enough for your room by using a lighting standard called lumens. First, determine the square footage of your room (simply multiply length by width). You'll also need to know that:


  • Dining rooms and kitchens need 30-40 lumens per square foot.

  • Living areas, bedrooms, and hallways need 20 lumens per square foot.

Multiply the required lumens by the square footage of your room. For a 10 ft. x 12 ft. bedroom, you'll want 2,400 lumens of light. Light bulbs have different brightness levels, so check the packaging to determine lumens. However, this is a helpful guide:


  • 450 lumens = 40 Watts

  • 800 lumens = 60 Watts

  • 1100 lumens = 75 Watts

For the 10 x 12 bedroom, you need a ceiling fixture with either four 60W bulbs or six 40W bulbs. For an LED ceiling fixture, choose one that puts out 2,400 lumens.


What Are Flush Mount Ceiling Lights?


Installed directly against the ceiling without a gap, flush mount lights are perfect for low-ceiling rooms.
They're easy to install using existing wiring. A large-diameter, flush-mount fixture will cover up marks on the ceiling from older, small light fixtures. Since they fit tightly to the ceiling surface, these light fixtures have other advantages too:


  • Easy to maintain, since they don't collect dust or insects easily.

  • Low-profile light fixtures fit 7-8 foot ceilings.

  • Install where people must walk beneath the fixture - hallways, closets, bedrooms, kitchens.

  • Safer for high-traffic areas and kids' rooms.

  • Large selection of practical, affordable designs.

  • Trendy finishes like black, brass and gold to match lighting throughout the home.

Decorative flush-mount styles abound - you'll find elegant, gold-trimmed drum shades:


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Simple, affordable lantern styles are perfect for closets or laundry rooms.


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What Are Semi-Flush Mount Ceiling Lights?


Semi-flush ceiling fixtures are installed with a ceiling canopy and a short stem, so the fixture is suspended from the ceiling. With a gap between the light fixture and the led flush mount ceiling fixture, most styles will shine light upwards as well as down. Most semi-flush ceiling lights provide more ambient light.


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While semi-flush ceiling fixtures install quickly on existing wiring, the round canopy only covers 4-6' of the ceiling. If you're replacing old lighting, your ceiling may need a coat of paint. Other features of semi-flush fixtures include:


  • Longer hanging length for 8-12 foot ceilings.

  • Ideal for entries, foyers, bedrooms, hallways, bathrooms, closets, kitchens.

  • May be used with lower ceilings over a dining table or bed.

  • Brighter illumination when light reflects off a white ceiling.

  • Patterns of light on the ceiling help create ambiance.

  • Easy access for replacing light bulbs.

  • Some styles may need frequent dusting.

  • Semi-flush designs offer a large variety of design styles.

With their extra length, these ceiling lights offer a wider range of decorative detail. You'll find quartz crystals with gold:


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Modern, Close-to-Ceiling Lights With LEDs


Energy-efficient LEDs are the latest in contemporary lighting. Integrated LED light fixtures are maintenance-free; built-in bulbs last up to fifteen years. This innovative technology allows designers to create minimalist, modern lighting.


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Slim profiles are perfect for lower ceilings, while bright LED bulbs provide plenty of illumination. Pair your integrated LED light fixture with a compatible dimmer switch for ambient lighting.


How To Mix and Match Ceiling Lights


We love open-concept houses, but seeing several rooms at once creates a design challenge. Ceiling lights should coordinate with your kitchen pendants, dining room chandelier, and living room lighting. Even in a traditional home, different rooms need a cohesive design plan. Follow our professional designers' tips to pull your lighting scheme together:


  • Take cues from your furnishings and architecture - do you like minimalist, cozy cottage, formal, modern farmhouse, or modern glam?

  • Measure your ceiling height so you know what will fit.

  • Ceiling fixtures don't need to match from one room to another - but should be similar in scale, style and color.

  • Don't mix extremely ornate fixtures with very simple styles.

  • Choose dark finishes like black or bronze if your home has dark door hardware

  • Choose chrome, brushed steel or black with silver of your home has chrome door hardware.

  • Brass, gold and black work beautifully with brass hardware.

  • Repeat decorative details like crystal drops, drum shades, or candles for continuity between spaces.

Ceiling Light Shopping Tips


Have a list of your rooms handy, with ceiling height measurements. Use our search feature to sort ceiling fixtures by Size, Color, Lifestyle and Room. For vaulted or cathedral ceilings, look for recessed lighting, pendant lights, or chandeliers lights.

From Our Shop

Daintree 17.7" Integrated LED Flush Mount Ceiling Light$335.99
Ural 17.7" Integrated LED Metal Flush Mount Ceiling Light$335.99
Kartong 28" Geometric Integrated LED Metal Flush Mount$423.99

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How To Choose The Best Ceiling Lights for Your Home (2024)

FAQs

How To Choose The Best Ceiling Lights for Your Home? ›

Size it Right: Measure your room and choose a light that won't be too big or small. Mind the Ceiling Height: Make sure the light won't bump heads with anyone walking around. Brighten Up! Consider how much light you need in the room and choose bulbs with the right lumens.

How do I know what ceiling light to buy? ›

Choose a ceiling fixture that's bright enough for your room by using a lighting standard called lumens. First, determine the square footage of your room (simply multiply length by width). You'll also need to know that: Dining rooms and kitchens need 30-40 lumens per square foot.

What type of ceiling light is best? ›

Semi-Flush ceiling lights will drop down a little more than the flush alternatives, so are ideal for homes with standard ceiling heights, or perhaps over tables in a home with low ceilings.

How to choose the right lighting for your home? ›

If you're selecting a fixture, start with a favorite element in the room and look for a light that complements it. If you have a modern sofa for example, lighting with clean lines will enhance your space. Another tip is to look at the cabinet or door hardware in the room and choose fixtures in a complementary finish.

Should all light fixtures in a house match? ›

There is no need for the fixtures to look completely alike if you mix and match light fittings properly. However, you can decide whether they should have a similar style, design, colour, or shape.

What is the rule for ceiling lights? ›

The rule for ceiling lights centers around ensuring adequate illumination for the room's size and purpose. Typically, multiply the room's square footage by 1.5 to determine the total wattage needed. For layout, aim for even distribution, avoiding shadows and glare.

How many lumens do I need for a ceiling light? ›

Ceiling Height Variable
Room Dimensions11′ Ceiling15′ Ceiling
12′ x 12′3,600 lm4,400 lm
15′ x 15′5,200 lm6,000 lm
15′ x 20′6,700 lm7,400 lm
20′ x 20′8,600 lm9,400 lm
Sep 23, 2022

What is the most efficient ceiling light? ›

Today, LED lighting fixtures for general illumination in and around the home are the most energy-efficient and rapidly-developing lighting technology. LEDs use up to 90 percent less energy and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.

What kind of ceiling light makes a room look bigger? ›

Uplighter Ceiling Lights

These light fittings are perfect for making a room appear bigger and brighter.

How do I choose an LED light for my ceiling? ›

How to Choose the Best LED light for Your Needs
  1. Make sure the bulb base fits your fixture. ...
  2. Pay attention to lumens to make sure the LED gives you the right level of light. ...
  3. Consider the mood you want the light to create. ...
  4. Look for an ENERGY STAR® certified LED. ...
  5. Get the functionality you need.

How do I know what light to buy? ›

Let's get started.
  1. Determine what fitting or cap type you need. This is the most critical piece of information when selecting new bulbs – if you choose the wrong fitting or cap, your light bulb simply won't fit. ...
  2. Decide if you want CFL, halogen, or LED. ...
  3. Consider brightness and colour. ...
  4. Find the best shape. ...
  5. Try Our Bulb Finder.

What is the best indoor lighting? ›

LED bulbs around 2700K (the K is for Kelvin temperature) on the color-temperature scale cast a warm yellow light similar to outmoded incandescent bulbs, making them a good general-purpose choice. Bulbs with a temperature around 3000K have a whiter light that's better suited to bathrooms and laundry rooms.

What is the recommended lighting for a living room? ›

Opt for softer 'warm white' or 'soft white' bulbs over harsh or 'daylight white' colour options. Natural finishes are preferable over lacquered ones. Lastly, look for sculptural details, elements of interest in your lights or any furniture in the room,” says Nikhil Paul, creative director of Paul Matter.

How to select ceiling lights? ›

Choosing The Right Fixture For Your Ceiling Height

The bottom of your lighting fixture should be about seven feet from the floor, meaning flush mount lights are best for rooms with low ceilings and semi-flush fixtures are best in rooms with nine- or ten-foot ceilings (and also work well for sloped ceilings).

How do you coordinate a light fixture in a house? ›

Mixing and Matching Lighting Fixture Do's:
  1. Tip 1: Layer Your Types of Light. ...
  2. 2: Create a Focal Point, then Don't Distract from It. ...
  3. 3: Coordinate Across Rooms in an Open Floor Plan. ...
  4. 4: Mix Finishes, Tastefully. ...
  5. 1: Don't Try to Do Too Many Things in One Room. ...
  6. 2: Don't Be Afraid to Try Something New… ...
  7. 3: …

Should foyer and dining room lighting match? ›

Deciding whether to have matching light fixtures in every room boils down to your personal aesthetic, the functionality of each space, and the mood you want to set. While matching fixtures can create a unified look, diversifying allows for greater expression and functionality.

How to determine the size of a ceiling light fixture? ›

be simpler. Add the dimensions of your room in feet and then convert that to inches, then add or subtract 10% for personal taste. So if your room measures 14 feet by 12 feet, the total of the two sides is 26 feet., meaning an ideal size for your light is 26 inches.

How do I choose a ceiling light shade? ›

As a general rule, the shade should be wider than the widest part of the lamp base, but not so wide that it extends beyond the edges of the base. The height of the ceiling: A high ceiling can accommodate a larger shade, while a low ceiling may require a smaller shade.

How do I know what wattage my ceiling light is? ›

The maximum wattage ratings are printed on the light-bulb sockets of the light fixture or lamp. If a fixture has two or more light bulbs, ensure the total wattage rating based on the sticker on the fixture does not exceed the maximum. It is often on the insulation or baseplate beneath the fixture's globe.

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