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

Ceiling Fans

Light Accessories

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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

Elowen 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

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

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

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

The Wub With Dimmable Warm LED Bulb

Astrology Night Light - Personalized Night Light - Zodiac Night Light - Zodiac Sign Gift - Astronomy Gifts - Gift For Boyfriend / Girlfriend

Wood Table Lamp, Mushroom Lamp, Mid-century Desk Lamp, Wabi Sabi, Handmade Wood Sculpture

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

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

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

Japanese Rice Paper Lamp, Rice Paper Desk Lamp, Wabi Sabi Decor, Unique Bedside Night Light, Japanese Home Decor, Rice P Japanese Floor Lamp

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

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

Amoeba Table Lamp with Warm LED Bulb

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

Ceramic & Copper Pendant Light Home /Living Decor, Modern Lighting

Table lamp Ca 'Venier gold crystal

Handmade Paper Foldable Lamp, Unique Bedside Night Light, Decorative lamp, Aesthetic Home Decor, Housewarming Gift, Unique Decor.

Zen Atmosphere Driftwood Mushroom Desk Lamp Night Light NL001

SATURN Floor Lamp White

Gift for Mom - Gift Idea for Mom - Gift for Mommy - Personalized Gift for Mom - Mother's Day Gift 2024 - Gift for Mother in Law - Custom Mom

Vanity Light - Art Deco Fixture - Skyscraper Shade - Mirror Light - Bathroom Vanity - Model No. 9777

40cm designer wooden pendant light

Mid-Century Modern Chandelier - Embrace Elegance with Woodcrafted Illumination

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

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

Vanity light Bathroom wooden wall lighting Black walnut

Z Lamp

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

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

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

The Dandelion | Interactive Lighting Wood Lighting Night Light

Dragonfly nightlight, Nightlight with Dragonfly, Dragonfly decor, Dragonfly light, Dragonfly night light, Glass Dragonfly

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

Semi-Flush Mount Chandelier | Claylight: VINE 5 | Five Shade Sculptural Lighting | Modern Ceiling Chandelier

Magical Mushroom Night Light - Toadstool

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

Danish designed beech wood accordion wall lamp with a new, Lekrazyhorse, pleated upper lampshade. Scandinavian retro interiors!

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

Wooden Lampshade "Cloud" / Twist Lampshade / Extra Light Lamp / Hanging Lamp

Glass Bell Jar Lamp | Table Lamp | Desk Lamp | Glass Dome | Bell Jar | Night Lamp | Antique Brass

Jelly Jar - White Glass - Pendant Light Fixture ** USA handblown glass ** Milk glass lighting

Geometric Metal Lamp - Chrome Nickel Chandelier - Silver Chandeliers - Ceiling Light Chrome - Industrial Chandelier - Model No. 7409

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

Minimalist Origami Lampshade , White Paper Lamps, Handmade Pendent lights for Home Decor

pendant lamp wood hanging lamp lightning handmade dining table lamp FLIGHT solid wood handcrafted lamp

SATURN Floor Lamp

Paper Lamp, paper Sculpture, Home decor, light sculpture, Paper mache lamp, Contemporary design, table lamp

Pendant Lamp | Claylight 6" ASYMMETRICAL PENDANT | Ceramic Hanging Lamp | Unique Lighting

Moon night mushroom stained glass lamp

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

Modern Dark Gray Concrete Cylinder Pendant Light | Hanging Pendant Ceiling Light | Industrial Single Pendant Lamp | CoWooDesign

Hanging geometric lamp - Glass pendant lamp - Handmade Geometric Lamp - Home decor - Wedding table decor - Loft Light - Industrial Lamp

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

Glass globe Flush Mount Ceiling Light Fixture - Mid Century Modern Globe Lighting Fixtures - Modern Brass Light Fixtures

Novo Vintage Sign Wall Light IP23

Gold Detailed Ceramic Textured Nordic Bohemian Contemporary Style Table Lamp / Bedside Lamp for Living Room, Entryway and Bedroom Decoration

Mid Century Modern Lamp Shade / 3 Tier Fiberglass / Hand Made Atomic Lamp Shade / Custom Vintage Lighting Style 3T-72.0

Mid Century Modern Night Light | "Atomic Flamingo" Design | Ambient Lighting | Plug In Wall Light | Atomic Avocado Designs®

Danish design table lamp, Koefoed ceramic, ceramic lamp with pleated lampshade

Color Ceiling Light - Globe Lighting - Modern Ceiling Light - Mid Century Modern - Model No. 3825

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

Bathroom Wall Light - Industrial Vanity Light - Brass Light Fixture - White Shade - Vanity Fixture - Mirror Lighting - Model No. 9018

There's so much more for you to discover

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