How to Buy Light Fixtures

Once thought of as fancy fixtures for ballrooms or mansions, today’s chandeliers are found in nurseries, bathrooms, libraries and kitchens, in styles and materials to fit any budget or decorating scheme.

When shopping for a chandelier, keep these things in mind:

- The recommended height for hanging a chandelier above a dining room table is 30 inches for the lowest part of the chandelier.

- The recommended diameter for a dining room chandelier is one-half the width of the table.

For other rooms, consider this formula for finding an appropriately sized chandelier:
Add the length and width of the room together. For example, a room that is 10 feet by 12 feet would total 22 feet. Convert that number to inches: 22 inches is the recommended chandelier diameter.

Flush mount fixtures, which hang flat against the ceiling, are not just for closets and hallways anymore. If you have low ceilings and are looking for ambient light, flush mount fixtures are available in styles that range from inconspicuous to ornate, for illuminating bedrooms, dining rooms and more. Some flush mounts house fluorescent bulbs to provide light to a large space while saving you money on energy costs.

Keep in mind that changing light bulbs in flush mounted fixtures can be a challenge, especially if you have high ceilings.

A semi-flush mount ceiling light falls between a flush mount fixture and a chandelier in style. Semi-flush mounts hang approximately 4 to 8 inches from the ceiling, giving the illusion of a chandelier where a low-hanging chandelier wouldn’t be possible, and providing ambient light.

A pendant light hangs from the ceiling like a chandelier, but has a single light source, which might have one or more light bulbs. Pendant lights can have shades directing light up, called an inverted pendant, or down, called a downlight. Inverted pendants provide ambient light, while downlights are typically used for task lighting or illuminating a workspace such as a kitchen island. Island lights may have two or three light sources shining downward to create a pool of light.

Recessed lighting, also called can or pot lighting, is mounted in the ceiling so the fixture is flush with the ceiling rather than being mounted on the surface or hanging down from the ceiling. Recessed lights provide inconspicuous ambient lighting or task lighting for many rooms in your home.

Track lighting used to be strictly utilitarian, with straight electrically charged tracks and basic fixtures inserted along the track. Now, however, the tracks have become curvy works of art and can range from pendants to spots, designed to complement any interior décor.

Track lighting is used as task lighting, illuminating a kitchen island or countertop, or as accent lighting to focus attention exactly where you want it on photos, paintings or architectural features.

Different ceiling fixtures require the use of different types of light bulbs. Head in-store for a complete selection.

Dimmers can be used with most ceiling-mount fixtures to adjust the brightness level in any room, allowing a wide range of interior lighting moods. Dimmers not only provide more flexible lighting, but also help you save energy and extend the life of your light bulbs.

Ceiling fans and light kits can be used to help you maintain a comfortable room temperature while providing light.