Ceiling Lights

Assess Your Needs

Not all high-mounted lighting systems function in the same way. Ceiling lights can:

• Pool light onto a table or another fixed point
• Illuminate the entire room
• Scatter light across a certain area to brighten dark pockets
• Accent art or statues

Everyone has lived in at least one place with a room in which a small ceiling-mounted fixture was required to light the whole room. No more. There is a vast selection of pendants, light row models, ceiling fan light kits, and other systems available now. In fact, a quick search on Home Depot’s website listed more than 900 options, including nearly 300 ceiling fan/light models.

So before selecting a lighting unit, ask yourself:

• Do I need to have more of the light on a table or in the room?
• Is this going to be the only light source for the area?
• Do I need to pinpoint light onto a specific focal point?
• Does it need to “make a statement” according to décor, or is it purely functional?
• Would the room benefit from both circulated air and light?
• Will replacement light bulbs make the model more expensive in the long run?

Types of Ceiling Lights

Chandeliers

These models come in a range of styles. Choices include cut crystal and beadwork, elk horns and handmade glass ornaments. Chandeliers look terrific over dining room and pool tables and in larger areas, such as a foyer with a vaulted ceiling. They hang from the ceiling by a chain or a stem.

Flush Mount

Flush mounts are a fundamental light fixture in many houses. In particular, period homes use flush-mounted ceiling lights. One helpful site for specialized light systems is Rejuvenation.com. If you’re looking for something a little more simple, such as for a rental property, almost any home improvement or hardware store will have a flush-mounted light kit for as little as $15.

Fluorescent

Perfect for kitchens, basements, or workshops, fluorescent panel or light row systems come in a variety of styles, and the bulbs are more energy-efficient than ever. Units can suspend by a few inches, or an electrician or handy do-it-yourselfer can set them into the ceiling.

Pendant

Pendant fixtures are a great way to accent a kitchen island, a dining room table, or a reading area. The styles range from funky-colored glass droplets to elegant nickel-plated cylinders or frosted globes, and are usually suspended from above by a cord, chain, or extendable stem.

Track or Rail

Many modern kitchens and recreation rooms benefit from the tiny pockets of light cast by track or rail light kits. Most use high-intensity halogen bulbs, so even though the individual lights are quiet small, the beam is penetrating. The combination of many such lights on a rail provides ample illumination. Light-wire suspension tracks are also common for art lighting.

Ceiling Fan Kits

If you have a need for a ceiling fan, you might as well choose one with an attached light fixture. Many models have the capacity to allow you to remove the factory-issued light kit for another, more attractive option. Some fans look very traditional, while others are modern marvels. Visit a lighting site for more ideas.

Measure Twice, Hang Once

To borrow a phrase from “This Old House” star and master carpenter Norm Abrams, make sure to accurately measure the hanging distance and span dimension before purchasing ceiling lights. Better to spend more time measuring than to have to relocate a misplaced light system.

• In general, lights should hang approximately 30-36 inches above a surface. A 10-foot by 10-foot room needs a light at least 17 inches in diameter with a minimum 150 watts of illumination.
• Check wattage limits carefully. If the maximum amount for the ceiling light you are looking at is too small for your needs, consider another lighting option.
• Look for hanging lights that allow for cord or chain encapsulation. Most can be wound into the light base. Many stem systems are extendable up to 10 inches.