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

Lamps, Shades & Bases

Light Fixtures

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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.

Emaly Bryson

5 out of 5 stars

"Absolutely beautiful! Spend the extra money and get the dimmers. Well built, packaged securely for transit and a lovely artistic yet industrial piece of lighting that fits in almost any decor. YES order this!"

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

5 out of 5 stars

"very beautiful quality and lighting effect ! I am in awe with this lamp :)"

Mid-Century Modern Chandelier - Embrace Elegance with Woodcrafted Illumination
Krista B

5 out of 5 stars

"Just gorgeous and the lighting they produce is really elegant (I use them with dimmers). Beautifully made, a really chic addition to my space. Came beautifully boxed."

Designer Wall Light | PORCUPINE SCONCE | Ceramic Wall Lamp | Unique Lighting
Alyssa A

5 out of 5 stars

"I absolutely LOVE this lamp! It looks just like the photo. My apartment has an industrial style & this fits perfectly. I also love the warm lighting of the Edison bulbs, so it’s not too bright in my bedroom."

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

5 out of 5 stars

"Beautiful craftsmanship and lovely soft lighting ! I am so pleased with how it looks in my reflexology office !"

Farmhouse Chandelier: Vintage lighting| antique| wedding decor| shabby chic| rustic decor| dining room
michpiggymt

5 out of 5 stars

"Great quality item, looks like the pictures that seller has posted. Seller answered promptly regarding confirmation of lighting details and messaged to inform me when shipping out the item and also checked when I received my order."

Handmade wood plug in wall sconce or with switch fixture, custom size wall bedside lamp, sconce lighting, lampshades, wood oak wall lights

Lighting

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

Table lamp Ca 'Venier gold crystal

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

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

The Wub With Dimmable Warm LED Bulb

Pool Table Light - Industrial Light - 60" - Kitchen Island Light - I-Beam - Bar Light - Coffee Shop - Billiards - Chandelier - Man Cave

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

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

Track lighting Pendant light Industrial track Walnut Minimalist

Wood pendant light dining, living room, Modern pendant linear lamp over kitchen island, Chandelier lighting, Ceiling Light, Hanging lamp

Mid-Century Modern Chandelier - Embrace Elegance with Woodcrafted Illumination

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

Elle Picture Light / Vintage Antique Picture Wall Light / Solid Brass / 5 Color Finishes / 14" (35.5cm)

The Yuji with Dimmable Warm LED Bulb

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

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

Wood Pendant round light, Unique pendant lamp for living, dining room, Modern ceiling light fixture, Scandinavian pendant lamp, Hanging lamp

Fantastic Murano Glass Tube Chandelier - 36 pink glass tubes

Set of 3 Oxidized Copper Pendant Lamp Shade - Hammered Copper Kitchen Island Lighting - Copper Industrial Lamp - Art deco light fixture

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

Oxidized Dome Copper Pendant Light - Hand Carved Copper Kitchen Island Lighting - Copper Industrial Lamp - Art deco Copper light fixture

Bathroom Wall Sconce, Bathroom Light, Mid Century Modern, Brass Prism Wall Light, Bathroom Wall Light, Vanity Fixture, Modern Mirror Light

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

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

Set of 2 Murano glass shell wall sconce in crystal colour with brass structure, Made in Italy wall lamp

Japanese Log Style Pendant Light,Modern Minimalist Dining Room Lighting Chandelier,Nordic Metal Wood Hanging Lamp

Hanson Magnetic Desk Mushroom Lamp Yellow Bedside Night Light With Shade New Modern Home Table Standing Light Fixture Housewarming Gift

18.5” Rustic clay pendant, clay ribbed pendant, ceramic pendant, off white clay pendant, handmade clay pendant

Table lamp made entirely of lampshade material in caramel and lilac. Colorful and handmade. Many combinations possible. Ask!

LUPA Wall Sconce - Light Fixture, Wall Lighting, Wall Lamp, Wall Light , Bedside Light, Art Deco Lighting, Brass Lighting

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

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

Inspired Handcrafted 1 Light Modern Brass Italian Wall Lamp Luminaire

Bankers Light Green Glass Cordless Desk Lamp, Rechargeable Library Lamp, Battery Powered Lamp for Office Desk

Amazing Hanging Lamp / Vintage Pendant Light / Large Light Fixture / Ceiling Light / Yugoslavia 1960's / Mid Century Chandelier

Mushroom table lamp, Murano glass and ceramics, Violet lampdshade, Light blue and purple fused glass lamp, Unique piece made in Italy

Flush Mount Ceiling Light Wood, Flush Ceiling Light Fixtures, Flush Ceiling Lights, Low Ceiling Light, Pendant Lamp Shade, Farmhouse Light

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

Dome Oxidized Copper Pendant Light - Copper Industrial Lighting - Copper Kitchen Island light - Copper Lampshade - Art deco lamp

DIABOLO Table Lamp - Eco-Friendly Amber Lamp 3D Printed with Recycled PETG Material, for use with LED Bulbs

SATURN Floor Lamp White

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

Art Deco Table Lamp - Retro Design Light for Bedroom, Living room - 3D Printed Lamp

Blackened Brass Wall Lighting - Blackened Brass Wall Lamp Vanity Light Fixture, Wall Sconce, Wall lamp, Wall Light , Small Wall Lighting

Kent Traditional Vintage Adjustable Wall Spotlight

Wood Pendant Light, Mid Century Modern, Handmade, Ceiling Lamp, Chandelier Lighting, Industrial Lamp, Wooden Lamp, Lampshade Ceiling,

Copper Pipe Room Desk Lamp - Desk Light - Vintage Lamp - Industrial Lamp - Solid Copper - Extraordinary Quality - SteamPunk - Home Office

BOLOS Marble Art Deco Wall Sconce - Light Fixture, Design Lighting, Marble Wall Lighting, Bedside Light, Art Deco Lighting, Vanity Lighting

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

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

Dezaart Wood Pendant Light | Wood Light Fixture | Wood Chandelier Lighting | Hanging Lamp | Wood Pendant Light Modern Chandelier | Lampshade

Style#001 Hand Carved Lines, Hanging pendant Lamp-Lighting-Lamp-Ceramic Lamp-Pendants-Home Lighting decor

Vintage Japanese Style Ceramic Wave Shape Pendant Light

Aged Brass Wall Sconce • "Scoop Sconce" • Multiple Finishes • Black Wall Light • Bathroom Vanity Sconce

Wood Pendant Light | Wood Light Fixture | Ceiling Light Fixture | Mid Century Modern chandelier | Modern Pendant Light | Hanging Lamp

Wood Pendant Light | Ceiling Light Fixture | Hanging Lamp | Wood Light Fixture | Mid Century Modern Chandelier | Wooden Lampshade | Dezaart

Antique Brass Wall lamp, blackened brass wall-mounted sconce, Bedside wall light fixture,

Brass Wall Lamp Handmade Vintage SCICCOSO Brass Wall Lamp , Handcrafted Wall Lamp Light Magari Kitchen Bedside Bathroom Reading

The Dandelion | Interactive Lighting Wood Lighting Night Light

Stained glass lamp Mothers day gifts Modern stained glass lampshade Tiffany style lamp Art nouveau lamp

Iridescent Abstract Wavy Table Lamp | Colorful Reflections, Lamp for Living Room, Cozy Lamp, Holographic Design, Abstract Wavy Design | E14

Wood floor lamp, Custom design lamp and lighting, Mid Century Modern floor lamp, Wood veneer lighting, Unique Character Lighting, handmade

Suspension lamp Made in Italy Tronchi in classic Murano glass of vintage design, ceiling chandelier 24 cm diameter

There's so much more for you to discover

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