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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Ceiling Fans

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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

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

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

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

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

Camilla 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

Mid-Century Modern Chandelier - Embrace Elegance with Woodcrafted Illumination

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

The Wub With Dimmable Warm LED Bulb

Custom Night Light - Personalized Night Light - Custom Name Night Light - Room Decor Kids - Personalized Gift - Night Light

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Personalized Night Light with Moon & Stars - Nursery Decor - Custom Name Light Night Gift - Kids Room Decor - Personalized Gifts for Kids

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

Circuit Board Lamp | CyberPunk Style Decoration Lamp RGB LED | Handmade Night Lantern | Futuristic Style

Woven Pendant Light Shade, hanging dancing basket lightshade, handwoven with ilala palm. Coastal pendant light shade

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

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

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

Flush mount ceiling light entryway light NAAYA CANISTA SCONDENT flush mount light fixture vintage flush mount light ceramic home decor gift

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

The Yuji with Dimmable Warm LED Bulb

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

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

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

Industrial Rail Light - Ceiling Light - Pool Table Light - Kitchen Island - Restaurant - Steampunk - High Quality - Warehouse

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

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

Geometric Lighting - Mod Lighting - Semi Flush Light - Ceiling Light - Dining Room Light - Model No. 9526

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

Cosville Rattan Pendant Light High Quality Handmade Sustainable Lighting for Coastal, Farmhouse, Rustic, Boho, All Interior Decor Styles

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

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

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

Stars Chart as Valentines Gift for Couples - Gift Star Map on Night Light - Personalized Constellation Map - 1st 5th 10th Anniversary Gifts

Copper LED Landscape Light with Three Mushroom Caps

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

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

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

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

Freestanding Bamboo Floor Lamp - Handmade Wooden Light Thai Fishing Trap Basket Natural Woven Boho Rustic - Our Hanging Pendant Reimagined!

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

5th Anniversary Gift for Her for Him, Anniversary Gift for Wife for Husband, 5 Year Anniversary Gift for Women or Men, Wood Anniversary Gift

100% Copper Shade With Mesquite- Turquoise Inlaid Base

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

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

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

Custom Night Light for Kids - Teenage Girl Gifts - Name Light - Christmas Gift for Nephew - Gift for Niece - Auntie Gift - Toddler Bedside

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

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

Heliconia plant lamp, Table Lamp, modern table lamp, desk lamp, office lamp, wood and metal, stylish lamp, wood lamp, ambiance lighting

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