What are the common types of lighting for a home?

Intentionally selected lighting fixtures add a stylish finishing touch to a space. Beautiful, handmade, well-crafted pieces double as decor and can emphasize the home decor style in your home. There are a few different types of lighting fixtures, depending on the type of lighting and the mounting space you’re working with: Light fixtures are hardwired into your house’s electrical system, like pendant lamps, wall sconces, and some chandeliers. Ceiling fans are great light fixtures that can regulate the temperature of a room while illuminating it, too. Lamps, shades & bases are generally of the plug-in variety, allowing you to determine where you want light and how it plays well with your decor.

How do you choose between ambient, task, or accent lighting?

Within the main types of lighting, there are three main ways light is directed in a space: ambient, task, and accent. The best choice for your space starts with how you plan to use that lighting. Ambient lighting, also known as general lighting, is used to illuminate an entire room evenly. This type of lighting can also be used outdoors, such as the front yard and patio. Both flush mount and semi-flush mount fixtures add ambient lighting in a space. Flush lighting sits directly against the ceiling or wall and is a popular choice for low ceilings and small rooms. Semi-flush mount lighting leaves a small gap between the fixture and the surface it’s attached to. It may cast light downwards, or it may reflect off the ceiling. Task lighting is mainly used to light a specific workspace where you’ll be performing a task such as food prep in the kitchen, filling out important forms at your office desk, or fixing something in a garage. Task lighting includes fixtures like table lamps, stylish floor lamps , and pendant lights. Accent lighting can play up a particular focal point in your home, like your prized art collection or decorative columns. Wall sconces, recessed lighting, and hidden fixtures are popular types of accent lighting and can be used throughout your home. There’s no need to settle on just one type of lighting in a room, either. Play around with mixing and matching two or three different lighting styles throughout a space, and see how it affects the look and the mood of the room. This gives you the option to switch from focused task lighting, say for reading a book in your favorite chair, to a more relaxed and cozy setting as you settle in for movie night.

How do you choose the best lighting for a room?

When shopping for statement lighting , consider both the way you’ll be using the space as well as the best lighting fixture size. The goal is to achieve even lighting throughout. For example, a statement chandelier may be enough to fully illuminate the dining room or foyer, but may not provide enough light in a spacious great room. Dainty wall sconces or flush-mount ceiling lights light up a hallway without cluttering this tight space. Next, choose a design you love, or request a custom fixture. Lighting not only brightens a room, it adds to the overall feeling you’re creating in your living space. The handcrafted fixtures available from lighting shops on Etsy blend both function and form. Many of these lighting options can be customized, too. If you’re searching for a certain mounting style, for example, many sellers can adapt their light fixtures to work in your space. After you’ve landed on which type and style of lighting you want, round out your interior decorating by detailing your room with light accessories like fancy pull chain and wall switch plates, and stock up on light bulbs to keep your home happy and bright.

Lighting

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Lamps, Shades & Bases

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Review spotlight

Here is a selection of four-star and five-star reviews from customers who were delighted with the products they found in this category.

Lyman Whelan

5 out of 5 stars

"Interesting piece - more interesting than any other lighting we've seen."

Wood Pendant Light | Ceiling Light Fixture | Wooden Black Plexiglass Lighting | Wood Pendant Light Modern Chandelier | Dezaart
Jonathon

5 out of 5 stars

"Looks great and provides warm lighting perfect for reading in"

Ivory Beige String Lights Cotton Balls Fairy Lights Bedroom Home Decor Living Room Wall Hanging Lights Wedding Decor Dorm Light Battery Plug
Emma B

5 out of 5 stars

"I love these lights! I use them for making my wreaths and for lighting in tents when I go camping"

String Lights, 3ft, 6ft, 9ft, Fairy Lights for Centerpieces & Mason jars, Warm White, Battery Operated, Twinkle Lights, Battery Included!
Nicholas Gutierrez

5 out of 5 stars

"nice and bright! Useful for lighting up my RGB Laboratory"

Disc Shape Wooden Led USB Light Base, Perfect Light Component for Handmade Use or to Hold Crystal Ball, Wood Base USB Powered Light Stand

Lighting

Edison Steampunk lamp-Table lamp-Desk lamp-Rustic home decor-Gift for men-Farmhouse decor-Home decor-Desk accessories-Industrial lighting

Wood Pendant Light | Mid Century Modern | Handmade Lamp | Ceiling Lamp | Chandelier Lighting | Industrial Lamp | Wood Lampshade | Lamp Shade

Elowen Rattan Pendant Light - Modern Organic, Farmhouse, Bohemian Lampshade, Bamboo pendant light, Rattan Furniture, Patio Pendant Light

Kai Rattan Pendant Light - Modern Organic, Farmhouse, Bohemian Lampshade, Bamboo pendant light, Rattan Furniture, Patio Pendant Light

Shiloh Rattan Pendant Light - Modern Organic, Farmhouse, Bohemian Lampshade, Bamboo pendant light, Rattan Furniture, Patio Pendant Light

Wavy x AMBER table lamp, retro minimal design, 3d printed with 99% recycled plastic - E27, E26, A19 LED

The Wub With Dimmable Warm LED Bulb

Bubbles Lighting, Ceiling Pendant light with Multicolored bubbles for Kitchen island, bedside light - modern lighting

Table lamp-Desk lamp-Edison Steampunk lamp-Rustic home decor-Gift for men-Farmhouse decor-Home decor-Desk accessories-Industrial lighting

Creative Branch Arm Chandelier 12/18/24 Molecular Balls Light Fixtures Slanted Ceiling, Remodel For Living Room Office Bedroom Dining Room

Table Lamp DISTORTION | Wood Table Lamp | Bedside Lamp | Wooden Lamp|Wood Base Lamp| Decorative Lamp|Wood Lamp|Wood Lampshade |Beech |Walnut

The Yuji with Dimmable Warm LED Bulb

Wood Pendant Light | Ceiling Light Fixture | Wooden Black Plexiglass Lighting | Wood Pendant Light Modern Chandelier | Dezaart

Table lamp TORO x AMBER, retro minimal 3D printed bedside lamps

Vanity Light-Interior Lighting-Unique Lighting-Modern Vanity - Model No. 0698

Handmade Mushroom Lights | Forest Orange Yellow Mushroom | Original Mushroom Lamp | Gift Light | Creative Gift | Illuminating Nature's Magic

Hanging lamp / Ceiling Lamp Majesty Natural OAK / Hand made Unique Light / Pendant Nordic Lamp / Hanging lamp

Handmade White Mushroom Lamp | Forest Mushroom Lamps | Mushroom Light | Table Desk Lamp | Gift Lights | Anniversary Gift | Anniversary Gift

Spherical Vanity - Bathroom Lighting - 3 Light Vanity - Light Fixture - Modern Lighting - Model No. 5708

Green Dusk Ceramic Lamp Shade and Pendant Set

Camilla Rattan Pendant Light - Modern Organic, Farmhouse, Bohemian Lampshade, Bamboo pendant light, Rattan Furniture, Patio Pendant Light

Chandelier Light-Ceiling Light-Light Fixture-Dining Chandelier - Model No. 8785

Crescent Rattan Pendant Light - Boho Lamp, Bamboo Pendant Light, Boho Lamp, Farmhouse, Rattan Lampshade, Pendant Lighting, Ceiling Lighting

Mountains Custom Name Light | Personalized Bedroom LED Cloud Decor Sign | Light up Sign | Daughter/Son gift Sign /Boy Gift/ Girl Gift

Edison Table lamp-Desk lamp- Steampunk lamp-Rustic home decor-Gift for men-Farmhouse decor-Home decor-Desk accessories-Industrial lighting

Makena - Wood Pendant Light / Modern light / Handmade Lamp / Ceiling Lamp/ Chandelier / Hanging Lights / Wood Lampshade / Lamp Shade 48

Colorful Lighting - Brass Lighting - Geometric Lighting - 3 Bulb Ceiling Light - Model No. 9526

Amoeba Table Lamp with Warm LED Bulb

Schoolhouse Shade - Vanity Light - Globe Vanity - Opal Glass - Brass Vanity - Vanity Lighting - Bathroom Lights - Model No. 5799

Bookend lamp/Rustic decor/Industrial lamp/Steampunk light/Unique lamp/Housewarming/Gift for Men & Book lover/Bedside lamp/Desk accessories

Mid-Century Modern Chandelier - Embrace Elegance with Woodcrafted Illumination

Wood Pendant Light | Mid Century Modern Chandelier | Hanging Lamp | Wood Chandelier Lighting | Modern Light Fixture | Modern Pendant Light

Pavo Rattan Pendant Light - Modern Organic, Farmhouse, Bohemian Lampshade, Bamboo pendant light, Rattan Furniture, Patio Pendant Light

Evelyn Rattan Pendant Light - Modern Organic, Farmhouse, Bohemian Lampshade, Bamboo pendant light, Rattan Furniture, Patio Pendant Light

Modern Farmhouse - Green Vanity Light - Brass Lighting - Bathroom Lighting - Wall Sconce - Model No. 7456

Blue Dusk Ceramic Lamp Shade and Pendant Set

Vintage Japanese Style Ceramic Wave Shape Pendant Light

Summer wood pendant light UFO - Pendant crafted - Natural Wood Veneer -Artistic Light Fixture - Hand made-Unique Light - Modern wood pendant

Custom Night Light as Valentines Day Gift - Anniversary Gifts - Romantic Gift for Couple - Gift for Him - Names and Date - Engagement Gifts

Dezaart Wood Pendant Light |Wood Chandelier Lighting|Wood Pendant Light Modern Chandelier| Hanging Lamp|Mid Century Modern Chandelier|Scandi

Desk Lamp, What are the colors of love? Soft, glowing lighting placed around your home can change the entire mood. Mother's Day Gift

Track lighting Pendant light Industrial track Walnut Minimalist

Speckled Cream Gloss Dusk Ceramic Lamp Shade and Pendant Set

Copper LED Landscape Light with Three Mushroom Caps

Personalized Desk Name Plate with Wooden Base, Lighted Acrylic Nameplate, Desk Accessories, Office Gifts for Boss Coworkers, New Job Gifts

Maisie Rattan Pendant Light - Modern Organic, Farmhouse, Bohemian Lampshade, Bamboo pendant light, Rattan Furniture, Patio Pendant Light

Charlotte Rattan Pendant Light - Modern Organic, Farmhouse, Bohemian Lampshade, Bamboo pendant light, Rattan Furniture, Patio Pendant Light

Sunflower Resin Sphere with Light Base | Handmade Resin Craft with Real Sunflower Inside - Home Décor Night Light, Accent Lighting

Spherical Vanity - Bathroom Lighting - 3 Light Vanity - Light Fixture - Modern Lighting - Model No. 5708

Outdoor Lighting Set - Bamboo Pendant String Lights Weatherproof Waterproof Garden Tree Patio Cafe Restaurant Fishing Trap Plug Basket Lamp

Pendant Glass Shade Light Fixture Vintage, Ceiling Lights, Hanging Light, Retro Stain Glass Light, Ceiling Lamps

Large size Octopus Shipwreck Night light Desk Decor, Pirate ship, Resin Wood Lamp, Wreck Miniature, Home decor, Winter gift

Coastal Modern Aqua Glass Bubble Table Lamp with USB port and Outlet, Free Shipping, Bulb Included, Dorm Light, Bedside Light, Desk Lamp

Handmade Purple Mushroom Lamp | Vintage Mushroom Lamp | Cute Mushroom Light Night | Bedroom Fairy Lights | Gift Lights | Anniversary Gift

Contemporary Table Lamp, Ambiance Lighting, Decorative Lighting, Optical Illusion 2D To 3D Table Lamp, Living Room Lamp, Side Table Lamp

Hanukkah Personalized Small Frosted Tabletop Light, Gifts for Hanukkah, Hanukkah Decoration, Unique Family Gift, Hanukkah Lights

Bookend lamp/Rustic home decor/Industrial lamp/Steampunk light/Unique lamp/Housewarming/Gift for Men & Book lover/Desk accessories

Sea Turtle Tropical Capiz Shell - Accent Lamp

Aura Rattan Pendant Light - Modern Organic, Farmhouse, Bohemian Lampshade, Bamboo pendant light, Rattan Furniture, Patio Pendant Light

Personalized Constellation Chart Lamp - Gift Star Map on Night Light - Gift for Boyfriend / Girlfriend - Stars Chart Gift for Couples

ASPEN Table Lamp - Mushroom Lamp - Modern Lamp - Sustainably made by Honey & Ivy Studio in Portland, Oregon

L06B 60-80 Handmade wood pendant lamp, birch veneer. Ceiling design hanging chandelier light

IZA Pendant Lamp | Japandi Pendant Light, Japandi Home Lighting, Nordic Minimalistic Pendant Lamp, Modern Suspension Lamp, Wabi Sabi Decor

Terracotta Dusk Ceramic Lamp Shade and Pendant Set

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