The right light fixture illuminates the space, enhances style, and sets a mood. With many options available, choosing the right light fixture when updating your home can be overwhelming. With a few tips on narrowing your choices, you can brighten your space with function and style. Check out this week’s blog where we uncover how to choose light fixtures when updating your home.

Light Fixture Options

1. Pendant Lights

Pendant lights hang from the ceiling, suspended by a rod, chain or cord. They are available in differing styles, sizes, materials, and finishes. The spots to use pendant lights are over kitchen islands, dining tables or hanging in a high-ceilinged entranceway. They make great statement pieces; smaller lights can be clustered together to create a focal point.

2. Chandeliers

Chandeliers are elegant and timeless, adding a touch of luxury to any space. You can choose a traditional style with multiple arms and dangling crystals or take a contemporary twist with sleek lines and geometric shapes. Chandeliers work best in rooms with high ceilings and lots of space.  

3. Flush Mounts

Flush mount light fixtures sit tight to the ceiling and are best in rooms with lower ceilings or limited overhead clearance. They come in various styles, from simple and understated to ornate and decorative. Flush mount lights work best in hallways, closets, bedrooms and bathrooms, providing functional light while complimenting any style.

4. Sconces

Sconces mount on the wall and can be a great alternative to traditional overhead lighting. You can install sconces individually or in pairs, adding warmth and ambiance to any space. They work perfectly to highlight artwork, architectural features, or mirrors and can be used to add an extra layer of lighting to a space.

5. Track Lighting

Track lighting is versatile and practical, with tracks mounted to the ceiling and adjustable light heads that you can reposition to direct the light where it is needed. It works well for highlighting artwork or as task lighting in kitchens and workspaces. They offer sleek, minimalist designs for a more contemporary look.

6. Recessed lighting

Recessed lighting is built into the ceiling, sitting either completely flat or protruding slightly from the ceiling. It works well in spaces with lower ceilings, such as basements, as they tuck out of the way. The lighting effects range with different angles or spreads, and you can direct the lights, highlighting the areas that need it most.

7. Floor and table lamps

These portable lamps are helpful for lighting up dark corners or task lighting, such as brightening up a reading spot. In an array of styles, it’s easy to choose one that blends in perfectly with your décor. They are helpful for layering lighting in a space, adding warmth and ambiance.

8. Linear LED

Linear LED lighting is perfect for hard-to-reach spaces. These low-profile strips work well under cabinets or in bookshelves for discreet accent lighting. For a statement piece, they can also be installed in the ceiling or walls for eye-catching lines of light.

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Light Fixture

• How high are the ceilings in the room and how much clearance is there when walking through the space?
• What is the room used for – will you need task lighting for reading or working?
• What mood are you trying to set – bright and open or more subtle and warm?
• How much natural light is in the space?
• What lighting exists in the room right now? Will you need to do any electrical work to update the space?
• What is the style of the space? Are you looking to switch it up or keep the décor as is?

Light Fixture Tips When Staging Your Home

Lighting plays a massive role in defining the personality of a space. When staging your home to sell, you want to set a mood and get prospective buyers picturing themselves moving in. Most buyers are looking for move-in-ready homes. Old light fixtures can make a space look dated and give the impression that the house needs work. The following are some things to consider when deciding how to choose light fixtures when updating your home.

• Replace any dated or broken fixtures
• Ensure natural-looking, bright light, and light up any dark corners
• Layer lighting in a room – start with the overall brightness and then focus on the areas you want to highlight
• Keep the type of bulbs consistent throughout the house
• Light up the exterior for potential buyers who are viewing your home at night
• Keep your choices neutral wherever possible to appeal to the most amount of people

2024 Lighting Trends

Chrome and silver

The last few years have been about gold and black, but chrome and silver are returning in various décor areas, including light fixtures.  Home Depot can be a great place to start when looking for chrome and silver light fixtures.

Natural, organic finishes

Natural finishes, organic shapes, and unique imperfections bring the outdoors in. There is a trend towards adding natural materials such as branches, antlers, rattan, leather, twine, or wood into light fixtures.

Polish & shine

Matte fixtures have been popular over the last few years, particularly in black and gold finishes. Shiny polished metals are making a comeback in 2024.

A vintage or retro feel

Vintage chandeliers or those with a retro feel are popular again – think milk glass or Edison bulbs. While you can scour the antique shops with lighting, it’s safer to go with new fixtures with a retro feel.

Statement pieces

If you have a space that needs a focal point, a bold, structural chandelier can make a statement. These dynamic pieces work well in entryways with high ceilings and dining rooms.

Lighting is crucial to any space, not only for function but also to help set the mood and style of the room. When updating your home, whether staging to sell, renovating, or refreshing a room, the right light fixtures will add to the space and help you create an inviting atmosphere. We hope this week’s blog where we uncover how to choose light fixtures when updating your home, has been a helpful read. Reach out to our team with any questions you may have!