The Best (and Worst) Ceiling Lights for Every Room

Ceiling lights are a key element in shaping a beautifully designed and well-lit room. Whether you are planning lighting for a luxury bedroom, a productive home office, a kitchen that puts the fun in functional or any other room, we’ve got you covered. Read on for tips and inspiration photos. 

Tips for Getting Started with Ceiling Lights for Any Room

A ceiling light is a primary source of ambient light, creating overall illumination in the space. There are a few general rules that apply to every room, so let’s start there. 
The first is hanging clearance. The best rule of thumb is for the bottom of the fixture not to hang lower than 84 inches above the floor, to leave plenty of clearance for your tallest friends and family members. Measure your ceiling’s height, then subtract 84 inches to know how tall a fixture can be. 
Next, consider the diameter of your ceiling fixture. Measure the length and width of the room and add those numbers together, then use that number (in feet) to know how many inches your fixture should be, at maximum. If your room measurements add up to 36 feet, then your ceiling light should be no more than 36 inches wide.  
Once these basic considerations are in place, it’s all about style. Choose a lighting fixture that plays well with the other interior design factors at play in your room. For instance, a modern ceiling light hanging over a traditional dining room table might not be as appropriate for the space as a timeless chandelier. And don’t be shy about mixing and matching different styles to create a unique aesthetic, such as combining modern fixtures with vintage décor, or pairing industrial lights with rustic farmhouse elements. 

Best Ceiling Lights for Primary Spaces

In primary spaces like living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms and dining rooms, you have an opportunity to choose a fixture that will have a dramatic impact or serve a background function of illuminating the space. Here’s how to make the best choice for each space.

Living Room Ceiling Lights

You want your living room to be a welcoming space that is well-suited for its many different uses, whether that be entertaining guests, relaxing with a book or movie, or enjoying family game night. In living rooms, chandeliers are almost always a good fit. Because they come in many different styles and sizes, you’re sure to find one that suits the décor, whether an elegant crystal fixture that serves as a conversation piece or an industrial-inspired chandelier that works beautifully with a modern interior. 

Another option that really lets the other lighting in the room shine is recessed lighting, or can lights, which are small round or square fixtures installed into the ceiling in a grid pattern. And if you’re looking for something in between, a stylish and sculptural flush mount light will serve as a design element in the space without taking up a great deal of headroom.

Kitchen Ceiling Lights

In the kitchen, a lot of emphasis is placed on task lighting: fixtures that provide focused light over countertops and cooktops so you can see clearly when you’re preparing a meal. However, ceiling lights are also a welcome addition to kitchens, providing overall ambient lighting that help set an inviting mood. A modern chandelier can work wonders here. Or, for an even more contemporary look, consider installing adjustable track lights that let you angle each of the fixture heads to provide even illumination throughout the room.

Bedroom Ceiling Lights

Your bedroom ceiling light should bring soft ambient light that is conducive to relaxation. A small chandelier hung over the bed will create a sense of quiet luxury, especially if it is installed on a dimmer switch, allowing you to dial up or down the brightness depending on the ambiance you want to create. Another option that is both practical and alluring is a designer ceiling fan with a light, which will provide a gentle breeze while you’re sleeping as well as enough light to see by. Choose one that complements your bedroom’s color scheme, whether it be white, black, or a wood finish with brass accents.

Dining Room Ceiling Lights

Level up your dining experiences with tasteful and sophisticated lighting: again, here a chandelier can be your best friend. Pendant lights hung over the dining room table are generally considered to be task lighting, but can also be used to provide overall ambient light in the dining room and help set the mood for a lively family meal or an elegant dinner party. Either way, when installing fixtures over your dining table, always take the table’s shape into account. For instance, a long multi-fixture pendant light works beautifully over a long rectangular table, while a single chandelier might look best over a round table.  

Best Ceiling Lights for Smaller Spaces

When it comes to rooms that have a smaller square footage, look for lighting that will provide sufficient light without overwhelming the space. Refer back to the beginning of this article for tips on finding a fixture that is the right scale for these rooms. 

Bathroom Ceiling Lights

In the bathroom, you want to blend style and functionality. Start with a flush mount ceiling light that matches the bathroom’s look, to work alongside vanity lights installed to help with shaving or applying makeup and waterproof recessed can lights in the shower. As is the case in other rooms, dimmer switches are a nice touch in the bathroom so you can set the mood for a peaceful and rejuvenating bath or bright illumination when you’re getting ready in the morning. 

Home Office Ceiling Lights

It’s important to install lighting in home offices that will let you stay alert throughout the working hours. Choose ceiling fixtures such as recessed can lighting or a flush mount to provide overall ambient light that will reduce eye strain and improve productivity, then enhance the room’s lighting scheme and bring focused light where you need it, with adjustable desk lamps. 

Laundry Room Ceiling Lights

In the laundry room, you want functional lighting that illuminates all areas so you can clearly see stains and get the business of laundry done effectively. Depending on the size of your laundry room, a couple of recessed can lights should do the trick, or you can opt for a bright flush mount light in a simple style.

Entryway Ceiling Lights

Create a strong first impression when welcoming people into your home with a grand chandelier. We love the luxurious look of an opulent piece, which sets the tone of a luxurious space, but stylish pendant lights used as ambient lighting will also help define the space. Since it’s a high traffic area, make sure that the fixture gives adequate brightness to the entire entryway, then enhance the look with a couple of designer table lamps. 

Avoid These Common Ceiling Light Mistakes

Other than ignoring the size of the room and choosing a fixture that is too large or hangs too low, the most common mistake is assuming that a single ceiling light will be an adequate light source for the entire room. Enhance the brightness and the overall effect by adding task lighting such as pendants, adjustable spotlights, designer wall sconces, and beautiful floor lamps for specific tasks such as cooking or reading. Then use accent lighting such as track lighting with adjustable heads, spotlights or even table lamps to highlight artwork, architectural features, or other design elements in the room.

Another mistake is overlooking the opportunity for energy efficiency. Choose light bulbs that are designed to be energy efficient, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs). They use only a fraction of the energy of conventional bulbs — up to 90% less energy when compared to incandescent bulbs. They also last longer and so generate less waste. And just as importantly, they do not emit greenhouse gasses. 

Find the Right Ceiling Light for Any Room

At Visual Comfort & Co., we specialize in lighting that is not only functional, but also embellishes a room with designer looks and styles ranging from classic to contemporary. Visit visualcomfort.com to start exploring and find the perfect ceiling light for every space.

FAQs

What ceiling lights are best for primary rooms?

Chandeliers are an ideal choice, and come in a wide variety of styles and sizes that will enrich the look of just about any primary room. Other options include recessed can lights and flush or semi-flush mounts, which not only provide sufficient ambient light but also can serve as statement pieces. 

What ceiling lights are best for smaller rooms?

Small chandeliers, flush or semi-flush mounts and recessed can lights can bring a beautiful ambient light to smaller rooms.

How do I add other lighting to rooms with ceiling lights?

Once you have established general lighting with a ceiling fixture, add to the functionality and charm of the space with task lighting including pendants, adjustable spotlights and wall sconces. Then complete the picture with accent lights that feature artwork or architectural features, such as track lights, spotlights and lamps.