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

Light Fixtures

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.

alexandreterrien

5 out of 5 stars

"Beautiful lighting & great team. Thank you!"

Mini Pine Cone Pendant Light - Wooden Ceiling Shadow Lighting - Wood Pinecone Chandelier - Dining Room Lampshade - Pineapple Luminaire Lamp
Daniel

5 out of 5 stars

"The fixture arrived in good condition and is exactly as described. It's a beautiful lighting fixture, which was obviously crafted with a great deal of skill. We're very happy with our purchase!"

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

5 out of 5 stars

"The light is absolutely gorgeous! It has a real mid-century feel and totally brought our kitchen together. My only critique is that we were actually missing a piece to anchor it to the ceiling...easy fix, just went to a lighting place and got a plate for like $5, but a bit annoying. Anyway - highly recommend!"

Wooden ceiling light,wood pendant light,pendant light,scandinavian pendant,hanging dining Lamp,hanging light fixture,wooden pendant light
Barbara Talia

5 out of 5 stars

"Absolutely love this lighting fixture. It is beautiful. The item shipped quickly and works perfectly."

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

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

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

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

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

Copper LED Landscape Light with Three Mushroom Caps

Scandinavian pendant,wooden pendant light,scandinavian lamp,modern pendant light,geometric Lamp,wooden shade,dining light,modern light,shade

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

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

Mid-Century Modern Chandelier - Embrace Elegance with Woodcrafted Illumination

Large White/Milk Glass Schoolhouse Style Glass Shade Flush Mount Fixture

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

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

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

The Wub With Dimmable Warm LED Bulb

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

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

Track lighting Pendant light Industrial track Walnut Minimalist

14" Schoolhouse modern - flush mount - milk glass hand blown - Lighting fixture - brass lighting

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

Striped Schoolhouse Large White/Milk Glass Shade - Flush Mount or Semi Flush Mount Fixture - Lined Glass

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

Mid-Century Wood Pendant Light - Embrace Modern Elegance for Dining, Kitchen, or Bedroom Illumination from Dezaart.

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

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

Vanda Handmade lamp / Chandelier Lighting / Hanging lamp / Modern chandelier / Industrial Wood / Pendant Light / more colors

Handcrafted Wooden Pendant Light Fixture - Illuminate Your Space with Warmth and Style - Create a Cozy Ambiance with our Handcrafted Lights

9" White Glass Art Deco Shade Schoolhouse pendant light fixture

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

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

6” Small Rounded White/Opal Glass -- Flush Mount -- Hand Blown Glass -- Light Fixture -- Made in the USA

Art Deco - Modern Handblown White Glass Semi Flush Light Fixture

Crochet Lighting, Suspended Lampshade, Decorative Lighting, Cord Lighting, Unique, Bohemian, Ambience for Living Room, Dining Room

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

Modern Art Deco - Skyscraper Shade - Hallway Lighting - Ceiling Light - Light Fixture - Model No. 8895

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

Dark Blue Pendant Lamp, Stone Chandelier, Designer Hanging Lights, Scandinavian Design, Concrete Accessories

Chandelier ligthing - Wrought iron chandelier - Three light ceiling lights

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

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

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

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

Copper LED Landscape Lights with One Large Mushroom Cap

Ribbed Glass Cone Shade - Pendant Lighting - Kitchen Light Fixture - Clear Glass

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

Modern 14" Schoolhouse Large White/Milk Glass Shade Flush Mount or Semi Flush Mount Fixture

The Yuji with Dimmable Warm LED Bulb

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

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

Vintage Charm: Mid-Century Modern Wooden Stalactite Pendant Light Fixture - Timeless Elegance Inspired by Nature

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

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

Large Wood Pendant Light, Bamboo Japandi Lamp, Dining Room Chandelier, Scandinavian Lighting, Veneer Lamp, Suspension Custom Light cloud

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

Elegant Rounded Oval Opal/White Glass - Hand Blown Glass - Flush Lighting

25ft Outdoor String Lights, Patio Hanging Lights with 25 Edison Glass Bulbs, Waterproof Connectable Bistro Lights Backyard Garden Cafe

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

Sunflower Lamp, Sunflower Pendant Light Shade, Farmhouse Light Fixture, Wood Pendant Lights, Wood Lamp, Pendent Light, Wooden Light Shade,

The Stance With Dimmable Warm LED Bulb - 2024 GRAMMYs center piece

Modern 14" Schoolhouse Large White/Milk Glass Shade - Striped Glass - Semi Flush Mount Fixture

Wrought iron chandelier lights - Rustic chandelier - Chandelier lighting - Ceiling lights - Iron chandelier - Wood chandelier

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

Pendant Light-Chandelier-Wood Pendant Light-Lighting-Artichoke Light-Ceiling Light-Lighting-Acorn Light-Hop Light-Pointed Pine Cone Lamp

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