The right lighting can transform any space. With so many types of ceiling lights available, we’ll help you figure out which ones are right for your home. Learn more in our guide on how to choose a ceiling light.

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Before You Buy
Types of Ceiling Lights
Things to Consider
How to Find the Right Size Light

Before You Buy

A combination of ambient, task and accent lighting can achieve a balance of light that meets all of your needs.

The first step to layering lighting in your house is to create ambient lighting. This will produce general lighting in a room. Chandeliers, recessed lighting, flush mount lights, and ceiling fans with lights are the easiest ways to create ambient lighting because they illuminate a broad area of space.

After your space is adequately lit, add some task lighting to focus on specific areas where you want concentrated light. Some easy ways to achieve this are with pendant lights, track lighting or some type of recessed lighting. Don’t forget you can add task lighting with non-ceiling lights, like desk lamps or under-cabinet lighting. Task lighting is essential for activities like reading and cooking.

The last layer to complete a well-lit room is accent lighting. Accent lighting is concentrated lighting that draws the eye to a specific area of the room, such as wall decor or a mantel. Track lights are also a perfect way to highlight any art or features that you want to display.

Tip: Dimmable light fixtures can help customise the ambience of your home and allow you to adapt your space to any occasion.

Types of Ceiling Lights

Choose which combination of ceiling lights will suit your space the best based on the size of the room, the type of light you need and your personal style. Keep in mind that each type of light can serve multiple purposes in light layering.

Ambient Lighting

Chandeliers

Chandeliers provide an ornate touch to any room while also brightening up your space. There are many different fixture designs available – from crystal and drum to shaded and sputnik – to fit every style. Add a decorative accent to your hallway or dining room with a chandelier that fits your personality.

Flush Mounts & Semi-Flush Mounts

Flush Mount: Flush mounts sit against your ceiling and are perfect for providing a minimalist look. These are commonly used in bathrooms and hallways where space is typically limited. Use these in spaces where your ceilings are low (less than 2.5m) and where movement could be affected by having a low-hanging fixture.

Semi-Flush Mount: Semi-flush mounts have a short downrod that extends from the ceiling and are great for adding a decorative touch to a space without being too distracting. These are commonly used as a replacement for chandeliers in rooms where the ceiling is too low (again, less than 2.5m).

Recessed Lighting

Recessed lighting is a great way to open up a room or to add mood lighting.

Retrofit

A retrofit is a converter that makes your existing light fixtures more energy efficient, typically transforming them into a LED light. This is a great way to revamp your lighting without breaking the bank.

Trim

Trims fit into the ceiling and form an outer ring that is visible to you. There are many different styles to suit your needs.

Adjustable: This trim is thin and blends in easily. The interior light fixture is adjustable, giving you control over where you want the light to shine. Use these for accent lighting.

Baffle: Known for its ribbed interior, baffle trims are designed to reduce glare from the light bulb. To further reduce glare, choose a dark coloured interior.

Open: Open trims look similar to a baffle trim except they don't feature a ribbed interior. While these won’t prevent glare, they’ll provide brighter lighting, which is better for lighting larger areas.

Decorative: For a whimsical touch, decorative trims do the trick. Available in many designs, you can find the right option for your style.

Pinhole: Characterised by a thick trim, pinhole fixtures narrow the light to a concentrated, tight beam. These are great for spotlighting a decorative element or architectural feature.

Reflector: Made with a mirrored interior, these trims utilise reflection to enhance light illumination. Remember that the interior will be noticeable with these trims, so you may want to opt for a tinted-mirror interior.

Shower: Ideal for bathrooms and other areas with high humidity, shower trims have a tempered glass covering to keep the light bulb safe and prevent dew buildup.

Slotted: The most concealed option for recessed lighting, slotted trims conceal the lamp with a flat trim and provide narrow light beams. They are known for their 35° tilt with adjustable rotation.

Wall-Washer: This style of trim has the same exterior trim as baffle and adjustable styles. However, there is a 'half shield' on the interior to help evenly focus the light on certain features in your home. These are perfect for accent lighting and highlighting pieces.

Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans serve as a great way to circulate air in your room while providing additional light. You can choose between a downrod mount, flush mount, or angled mount. Downrod mounts are best used for high ceilings, while flush mounts are best used for low ceilings. Angled mounts should be used on sloped ceilings.

Make sure the fan is installed at least 2m above the floor and there is at least 20–25cm between the ceiling and the top of the fan's blades. The fan blade tips should also be at least 75cm from the walls or other obstructions.

Task Lighting

Pendants

Pendants add task lighting to any room. Since they are smaller than chandeliers, pendants are typically purchased in multiple quantities and used in areas with a specific purpose, such as preparing food or dining. They are most commonly used over kitchen islands, but can be hung in hallways, over dining tables or over your kitchen sink. If you want a pendant light for ambient light instead of task, choose one with an upward-facing shade.

Accent Lighting

Track Lighting

Track lighting is a great way to brighten your space or highlight a specific feature in your home, such as a mantel or piece of art. If you plan on buying your track and track heads (the fixtures that hold the bulbs) separately, there are three main rail types to know: H, J, and L tracks. These are distinguished by their measurements. As long as your track and track head are the same type, they will be compatible. A product’s track type will be listed in its description. Double-check before purchasing to ensure they are compatible.

Standard: A standard, or linear, track is the most practical and common type of track. Available in a variety of lengths, standard tracks have enough space for several lights – allowing you to move the bulbs around to your liking. This is also the easiest type of track to install.

Fixed

Fixed tracks are similar to standard tracks because they are a simple linear system. However, unlike standard rails, the bulbs on these cannot be moved. These are great over an island or dining table where you won’t need to move the bulbs around to conform to the space.

Swing Arm

These tracks give you more layout options than a standard track. You can pivot the ends of a swing arm track to fit the arrangement of your room.

Monorail

Monorails are a popular option because they can be curved to create rounded shapes, perfect for unusually shaped islands or tables.

Tip: If you're placing any lighting in your bathroom, make sure the light fixture you choose is damp or wet-rated.

Things to Consider

UL-Listed

UL, short for Underwriters Laboratories, is a company that tests the safety and security of consumer products. When a product has the UL certification, it means that it has gone through rigorous testing and has been determined to be consumer-friendly and safe. Double-check if your ceiling light is UL-Listed under its specifications.

Damp/Wet Location Rating

Check your light fixture’s location rating before purchasing to ensure that it doesn’t get damaged. You can find this information under its Specifications tab.

Dry-Location: These ceiling lights are designed for little to no moisture exposure. Only place these lights indoors and in spaces that aren’t exposed to excess humidity.

Damp-Location: Designed for moist environments, these lights can be placed in areas like bathrooms or protected outdoor areas like porches and patios. However, these fixtures can’t be directly exposed to water.

Wet-Location: These fixtures are designed for direct water exposure. All wet-location lights can also be used indoors, making them a great option for bathrooms.

Ceiling Light Features

Dimmable: Dimmable lights allow you to have more control over your room. Dimming lights can help create your desired ambience, whether it’s for a party, get-together or a cosy night in. As an added benefit, when the lights aren’t turned on the brightest setting, they save bulb life, use less energy and save you money.

Swag Light: Swag lights are draped from the ceiling using a chain, which is dangled from a hanging hook. This creates an elegant, sweeping look. 'Swagging' a light fixture is also used if the electrical ceiling box is not in the exact right location for your new light, as it’s easier and cheaper to drape the chain rather than moving the entire electrical box.

Sloped Ceiling Adaptable: These fixtures are made to accommodate sloped ceilings by including a special housing for the light fixture so that the beam of light shines straight down.

Bulb Included: Having the bulb included is a convenient way to purchase everything at once. It also ensures that you’re using the right wattage for your light fixture. But just in case your new ceiling light doesn't come with a bulb, read our guides, How Do You Know You're Choosing the Right Light Bulb? and Choosing the Best Light Bulb Just Got Simpler.

LED Integrated: These fixtures have LED technology built-in, meaning the LED light and fixture are one unit. While integrated lighting has simpler installation, it’s also harder to upgrade and maintain.

How to Find the Right Size Light

The size of a light can impact a room. If the light is too big it will overwhelm the design of a room and if it's too small it won't provide enough light. To ensure you are buying the right size light fixture, read our guide Need to Measure for a Ceiling Light? This Guide Shows You How. We also share tips and best practices for where to place a light.

Tip: Discover more lighting tips and tricks with:

• 9 Ways to Style and Show Off Pendant Lights
• Bring Hygge Into Your Home With These Scandi Lighting Ideas
• Set the Mood With Our Guide to Ambient Lighting