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A light fixture can really make or break a room design. The right light fixture should match the size of the room, provide you with the kind of lighting you need and complement the other design elements
Before you start browsing, below are a few factors to consider before purchasing
Room Size and Proportions
● Room size is an important factor in deciding how many light fixtures you need to achieve a desired level of illumination.
● Ceiling height will help you decide what type of light fitting is suitable
Understand the Use of Lights
Typically, light is used for 3 main purposes
● Ambient lighting: Ambient lighting is the main light source in the room and will determine the overall mood within the room
● Task Lighting: Task lighting is focused light that is used when tasks will be carried out in the room. A good example of this is a desk lamp, which will often be adjustable in order to illuminate areas that you need the most to help you carry out tasks. Task lighting is usually brighter than ambient lighting
● Accent Lighting: Accent lighting is the most decorative type of lighting in the room, its used to highlight focal features such as wall art, bookshelves, and picture frames. Accent lighting could also be a focal point itself if you go for a statement piece
Types of Ceiling Lights
Flush Mounts
As their name suggests, flush-mount fixtures sit tight on the ceiling, making them a good choice for rooms with a low ceiling
These lights are usually between 12 and 23 inches wide and work best with ceilings that are 8 feet tall or less
The light from a flush-mount fixture shines downward, illuminating the room without calling attention to itself
Semi Flush Mounts
These are a cross between flush mount ceiling lights and hanging lights
These lights usually sit 4 to 8 inches below the ceiling, which allows them to direct light down into the room and up toward the ceiling
Shining some light on the ceiling can make the room look bigger. Semi flush mounts work best with 8- to 10-foot ceilings
Semi flush mounts are available in a wide range of shapes & colours and often provides more light than flush-mount fixtures
Chandeliers
Chandelier is a large, decorative hanging light with branches for several light bulbs or candles. Chandeliers can instantly add a dramatic look to a space
Chandeliers are often considered over-the-top fixtures, but they don't have to be. You can find modern chandeliers which can offer simpler style
Chandeliers can be used in any room, but are best suited for dining rooms – above the dining table & living rooms
They are available in a variety of sizes, shapes and materials – some chandeliers have tiers which hold lights while some resemble the traditional Candelabra style of chandeliers. Some also have shades covering the light fixtures for a more defused lighting effect
Crystals and metal are the most popular materials for chandeliers
Cluster Hanging Lights
number of pendant lights are mounted on a plate (usually metal or wood) and hang at various heights. They can be used to illuminate a dark corner, or to highlight a space
Dome Hanging Lights
These dome-shaped shades rest against the ceiling and can spread light around the room below. They can be found in round or oval dimensions, or even have pointed square corners
Drum Hanging Lights
The drum style ceiling light resembles a drum, with a shade that creates a decorative, bright wall around the interior bulbs. The lighting can emanate out from all sides, or as more focused up-and-down lighting, depending on the thickness of the shade
Geometric Hanging Lights
Made with metal rods / wire in 3D geometric shapes like tetrahedrons, these lights have a visible light bulb
Lights by Room
Kitchen
Hanging lights work very well in kitchens as they can provide focused task light
Kitchen island lighting will be effective for cooking tasks like chopping. You can choose semi-flush mounts or flush mounted fixtures
Pendant / hanging lights look great in multiples above a kitchen island and help to define space and create focus above a breakfast bar
Dining Room
Pendants work well to create a centerpiece within a room; if ceiling heights permit, this is a great space to display an eye-catching chandelier
Semi-flush lights work well as an alternative for low ceilings
Bedroom
On the ceiling, pendant light works well to create a focal point over the bed. Choosing a fabric shade with a diffuser will make for a softer aesthetic whilst more bold crystal or metal designs make a statement
Adding a dimmer switch means you can tailor the light level as required, from bright light to a softer mood lighting for the evening
Bathroom
Spotlights and over mirror lights are great for highlighting a certain area and great for tasks such as applying makeup, hairstyling, or shaving
Flush lights are great for dispersing even light across the room, they also work well to create a softer ambience for more relaxing bath times
Hallway
Flush-mount or Semi-flush mounted lights can provide the desired illumination level in dark hallways
A statement hanging light (small chandelier or cluster hanging lights) can create a nice focal point in the hallway
Ideal Height To Mount Leights
We recommend having a minimum 7 feet of clearance between the floor and the base of the ceiling light. However, there are a few exceptions to the rule
Over a dining table: This can be hung at any height to suit as it will not get walked in to. However, be mindful of any glare that may occur, and a top lighting tip is to install a dimmer switch here, so that you can create ambience
We recommend having a 30-inch clear space between the table-top and the base of the ceiling light
Long drop lights that cascade over 2 stories: Try and ensure that the light finishes at around the same level as the first floor
Below is a table which will help you select the right fixture depending on the ceiling height
CEILING HEIGHTAPPROXIMATE DROP IN INCHESTYPE OF CEILING LIGHT
7 feetUp to 6 inchesFlush Mounted Lights
8 feetUp to 12 inchesFlush / Semi-Flush mounted
8 to 10 feetUp to 24 inchesSemi-Flush, Shortened hanging lights, Chandeliers
10 to 11 feetUp to 48 inchesHanging lights. Chandeliers
11 to 12 feet Up to 60 inchesHanging lights (standard or long), Chandeliers
12 feet +>60 inches Long hanging lights, Chandeliers
More Tips
• Keep the light bulbs clean for optimum level of illumination
• Dimmers are a good option to adjust the intensity of light as per your requirements
• CFL or LED bulbs are recommended to be used in ceiling lights as they consume least electricity, making them energy efficient as well as eco friendly