Types of Ceiling Lights: How to Choose The Right One
Make your days brighter.
The right lighting can transform any space. With so many types of ceiling lights available, we’ll help you figure out which ones are right for your home. Learn more in our guide on how to choose a ceiling light for any room.
In this guide:
Ambient, Task & Accent Lighting
Types of Ceiling Lights
Important Considerations
Ambient, Task & Accent Lighting
A combination of ambient, task, and accent lighting can achieve a balance of light that meets all of your needs.
Ambient lighting produces general, even lighting in a room. Ceiling fixtures like chandeliers, recessed lighting, flush mount lighting and ceiling fans with lights work well as the primary source of lighting. Make sure to read What Is Ambient Light & What Does It Do? to learn more about this type of lighting.
After your space is adequately lit, add some task lighting to focus on specific areas where you want concentrated light. For example, in a kitchen, you might want task lighting over the island if you use it to cut and prepare food. Pendant lights are the most popular ceiling task lighting option. You can also add task lighting with non-ceiling lights, like desk lamps or under cabinet lighting.
The last layer to complete a well-lit room is accent lighting. Accent lighting is concentrated lighting that draws the eye to a specific area of the room, such as wall decor or a mantel. Track lights are also a perfect way to highlight any art or features that you want to display.
Tip!
Dimmable light fixtures can help customize the ambience of your home and allow you to adapt your space to any occasion.
Choose which combination of ceiling lights will suit your space the best based on the size of the room, the type of light you need, and your personal style. Common ceiling lights include flush mounts, semi-flush mounts, chandeliers, pendants, and recessed lights – plus a few others like ceiling fans and track lighting. Each type of ceiling light works well with different room sizes and ceiling heights, so keep that in mind while browsing.
Chandeliers
Chandeliers provide an ornate touch to any room while also brightening up your space. There are many different fixture designs available – from lantern and candle-style to shaded and sputnik – to fit every style. Add a decorative accent to your entryway or dining room with a chandelier that fits your personality. Check out the available styles below.
Tip!
If you are looking to find the right size chandelier, read our guide How to Find the Right Chandelier Size (& Where to Place It).
Flush Mounts & Semi-Flush Mounts
Flush Mount: Flush mounts sit against your ceiling and are perfect for providing a minimalist look. These are commonly used in bathrooms and hallways where space is typically limited. Use these in spaces where your ceilings are low (less than 8') and where movement could be affected by having a low-hanging fixture.
Semi-Flush Mount: Semi-flush mounts have a short downrod that extends from the ceiling and are great for adding a decorative touch to a space without being too distracting. These are commonly used as a replacement for chandeliers in rooms where the ceiling is too low (again, less than 8').
Recessed Lighting
Like the name states, recessed lighting is installed into your ceiling in a small cavity. Recessed lighting is a great way to open up a room or to add mood lighting without taking up space overhead.
Retrofit: A retrofit is a converter that makes your existing light fixtures more energy efficient, typically transforming them into a LED light. This is a great way to revamp your lighting without breaking the bank.
Trim: Trims fit into the ceiling and form an outer ring that is visible to you. There are many different styles to suit your needs.
Tip!
To learn more about recessed lighting and trims, check out our guide Types of Recessed Lights: How to Choose the Right One for Your Home.
Ceiling Fans With Lights
Ceiling fans serve as a great way to circulate air in your room while providing additional light. You can choose between a downrod mount, flush mount, or angled mount. Downrod mounts are best used for high ceilings, while flush mounts are best used for low ceilings. Angled mounts should be used on sloped ceilings.
Make sure the fan is installed at least 7' above the floor and there is at least 8" – 10" between the ceiling and the top of the fan's blades. The fan blade tips should also be at least 30" from the walls or other obstructions.
Pendants add task lighting to any room. Since they are smaller than chandeliers, pendants are typically purchased in multiple quantities and used in areas with a specific purpose, such as preparing food or dining. They are most commonly used over kitchen islands, but can be hung in entryways, over dining tables, or over your kitchen sink. If you want a pendant light for ambient light instead of task, choose one with an upward-facing shade.
Tip!
To learn more about pendant lights, read our guide Your Guide to Pendant Lights: How to Choose the Right Fixture.
Track Lighting
Track lighting is a great way to brighten your space or highlight a specific feature in your home, such as a mantel or piece of art. These lights use a track, or rail, to connect individual light fixtures. Track lighting lies close to the ceiling and out of the line of sight. The individual lights can be placed anywhere along the track and pointed in almost any direction to create a customizable look. This makes track lighting ideal for adding task lighting to a kitchen island or showing off your favorite artwork.
If you plan on buying your track and track heads (the fixtures that hold the bulbs) separately, there are three main rail types to know: H, J, and L tracks. These are distinguished by their measurements. As long as your track and track head are the same type, they will be compatible. A product’s track type will be listed in its description. Double check before purchasing to ensure they are compatible.
Tip!
Check out our guide Lighting 101: Track Lighting Types to learn more about this versatile light fixture.
Important Lighting Considerations
Lighting Features
Lighting is available with various features that can improve ambience and streamline your routines.
Dimmable: Dimmable lights allow you to have more control over your room. Dimming lights can help create your desired ambience, whether it’s for a party, get-together, or a cozy night in. As an added benefit, when the lights aren’t turned on the brightest setting, they save bulb life, use less energy, and save you money.
Swag Light: Swag lights are draped from the ceiling using a chain, which is dangled from a hanging hook. This creates an elegant, sweeping look. “Swagging” a light fixture is also used if the electrical ceiling box is not in the exact right location for your new light, as it’s easier and cheaper to drape the chain rather than moving the entire electrical box.
Sloped Ceiling Adaptable: These fixtures are made to accommodate sloped ceilings by including a special housing for the light fixture so that the beam of light shines straight down.
Bulb Included: Having the bulb included is a convenient way to purchase everything at once. It also ensures that you’re using the right wattage for your light fixture.
LED Integrated: These fixtures have LED technology built-in, meaning the LED light and fixture are one unit. While integrated lighting has simpler installation, it’s also harder to upgrade and maintain.
Smart Enabled: Adjust your lighting remotely with smart-enabled fixtures. Using your smartphone, you can easily turn lights on and off, dim the intensity, or set the color temperature to suit the occasion.
UL Listed
UL, short for Underwriters Laboratories, is a company that tests the safety and security of consumer products. When a product has the UL certification, it means that it has gone through rigorous testing and has been determined to be consumer-friendly and safe. Double-check if your ceiling light is UL Listed under its specifications.
Fixture Size
The size of a light can impact a room. If the light is too big it will overwhelm the design of a room and if it's too small it won't provide enough light. To ensure you are buying the right size light fixture, read our guide How to Measure for a Ceiling Light. We also share tips and best practices for where to place a light.
Damp/Wet Location Rating
Check your light fixture’s location rating before purchasing to ensure that it doesn’t get damaged. You can find this information under its Specifications tab.
Dry-Location: Designed for little to no moisture exposure. Only place these lights indoors.
Damp-Location: Designed for moist environments. This includes protected outdoor areas like porches and patios. However, these fixtures can’t be directly exposed to water.
Wet-Location: Designed for direct water exposure. For example if you have lights in a shower enclosure or in uncovered outdoor locations. All wet-location lights can also be used indoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main types of ceiling lights?
Flush mount, semi-flush mount, pendant, chandelier, and recessed lighting are popular types of ceiling lights.
Which ceiling light for low ceilings?
The low-profile design makes flush mount and semi-flush mount lighting ideal for low ceilings.
Which ceiling light adds elegance?
With ornate details or sculptural silhouettes, chandeliers are an excellent option for added style and drama overhead.
Are recessed lights energy-efficient?
Yes, especially when paired with LED lightbulbs.
