Ceiling lighting is the most effective way to brighten a room. But just which style of ceiling light should you choose? From pendant lights to fan lights, there are many different types of ceiling lighting to explore, each with their own unique benefits. This guide takes a look at 10 different types of ceiling lighting.
Pendant
Pendant lights are one of the most common types of ceiling lighting. They consist of a single bulb suspended by a cord or a chain. Pendant lights can come in many different styles from basic bulbs to large vintage Edison-style bulbs. They can also be hung at different heights – you can hang them high to light up a whole room, or hang them low over a table or kitchen island to provide more focused task lighting. Low-hanging pendant lights are commonly fitted with lampshades to help further focus their glow downwards.
Chandelier
If you’re looking for a more dramatic statement feature, consider a chandelier. These ornate lighting fixtures contain multiple arms or branches with light bulbs on. Many are adorned with crystals or beads to further help catch the light and provide a sense of grandeur. Chandeliers are best suited to high ceilings in large rooms such as hallways above stairs or large dining rooms. You can buy smaller chandeliers for smaller rooms, but you need to make sure not to hang them too low so that you don’t bump your head on it.
Flush mount
Flush mount lights are attached directly to the ceiling. They come in many different styles from conventional clear domes to unique wooden ceiling lights. Because flush mount ceiling lights don’t hang as low, they are often better suited to lower ceilings. They can also be a good choice for rooms where you may want a more minimalist lighting fixture without any dangling parts.
Recessed
Also known as down lights, recessed lights are built into the ceiling with no protruding parts. They provide an even more minimalist aesthetic than flush mounted lights and are also a great choice for low ceilings. While they can provide shadow-free light, a single recessed light may not be able to light up a space as well as a pendant light or a flush mount light. As a result, most people who get recessed lights will install multiple recessed lights across a ceiling. This will cost you extra money to install and will use more energy, but will effectively illuminate the whole room.
Track
Track lighting consists of multiple lights attached to a track on the ceiling. These lights have adjustable heads, allowing you to pivot them and choose the direction of the light. Track lighting can be an effective way to light up a whole room. It’s also cheaper than installing recessed lighting, because all the bulbs are attached to a single track rather than having to wire in multiple different outlets. You’ll find track lighting in many different styles from vintage black iron lights to shiny chrome steel light heads.
Cluster
Another cool statement option to consider is cluster lighting. This consists of multiple pendant lights hung together – often at varying different heights for a layered effect that is similar to a bunch of grapes. A cluster lighting fixture can make a great contemporary alternative to a chandelier in a hallway. You can also hang cluster lighting over a table or a kitchen breakfast bar. The pendant lights themselves can come in many different styles – you can experiment with bulb sizes and lamp shade shapes or you can wrap them around a wooden beam on the ceiling for a rustic look.
Sputnik
Sputnik light fixtures are inspired by the 1950s sputnik satellite. They were very popular during the space age, but have become popular in recent decades for their retro aesthetic. On top of serving as stylish features, sputnik lights can be effective at lighting up a whole room due to their multiple arms. The arms are traditionally made from brass, but you can find modern sputnik lights in a variety of different colors and metal tones.
Globe
This unique overhead light consists of a large sphere-shaped light attached to a rod. Globe lights are excellent at illuminating a room and they have a minimalist aesthetic to them that makes them quite versatile. They should be avoided in low-ceilinged rooms as they can protrude quite a bit. That said, globe lights are sometimes popular in bathrooms because they are relatively easy to clean.
Cage
Cage lights consist of a bulb housed within a decorative metal cage. These quirky light fixtures come in a range of different styles. For a vintage industrial feel, consider an Edison-style bulb in a black cage. For a more modern look, explore cage fixtures made from nickel or chrome steel. Because they can protrude out quite a bit, try to avoid these light fixtures on low ceilings.
Fan
Finally, it’s possible to buy ceiling fans with light fixtures in the centre. This is excellent if you want a way of keeping the room cool, but also want to be able to illuminate the room at night. Fan light fixtures can come with separate switches for controlling the light and fan independently, or you can operate them both from a single switch. You’ll find a range of different styles of ceiling fan with lighting integrated online. Some even have lights on the fan blades themselves.
Selecting a ceiling fan
When choosing the right type of ceiling fan for a room, make sure to weigh up different factors such as the size of the room, the ceiling height, the surrounding decor and the age of the property. You should also consider your personal preferences and the purpose of the lighting. Some types of lighting such as recessed lighting are more subtle, whereas others like chandeliers are more showy. Options like pendant lighting can meanwhile provide focused task lighting, whereas a globe light may be better suited for lighting up a whole room. By working out exactly what type of lighting you want and need, you can narrow down ceiling light style options.
