Top 10 Types of Lighting Fixtures

1. Pendants 

Pendant lights are lights that hang from a cable, cord or pipe from an attachment at a ceiling, ending in a shade enclosing a light bulb that primarily provides light in a downward direction, known as a downlight. Pendants are often located over a table or kitchen island because they provide ambient or task lighting, and usually have strong stylistic elements that bring character to space because they’re so visible. 

2. Recessed/Ambient Lighting 

Recessed lights (also known as ambient and general lighting) are installed above a ceiling so that the body of the light (the mechanism and wiring) is hidden in the ceiling with a flush bulb or lens. Recessed lighting tends to be more demure because it is level with the ceiling, but it does require about four to eight inches of space above the ceiling for installation. This broad range of fixtures is mounted directly to the ceiling and typically features a glass, fabric or plastic shade that conceals the lightbulb and helps diffuse light more evenly. 

Ambient light is used to provide general illumination within a room. It provides light for specific tasks such as reading, writing, cooking, or computer work. There is a wide range of options that are able to deliver ambient light with some of the most popular being recessed, pendant, cove, surface, track and wall lights. It can often be a good idea to install a dimmer switch with your track and recessed ambient light solutions as this will allow you to adjust the brightness. 

The lighting they produce can be used for a range of functions from ambient to accent to task, depending on the number and type of fixtures. It provides an even, natural illumination to any space. While the brightness level is up to you, the goal is to have enough glow for basic home function. There are many Light bulb choices which depend on personal taste, whether you like a warm, yellowish light, or more of a cool, bluish tone. 

3. Ceiling-mounted fixtures

Ceiling-mounted fixtures are easily seen, Ceiling-mounted fixtures tend to be used to provide ambient light in a room as opposed to accent or task lighting because they provide more general, dispersed lighting. It intends to light up the entire room at a uniform level.

4. Track Lighting and Spotlights 

Track and spotlights are fixtures that are attached to a track that is mounted to the ceiling or hung off the ceiling, depending on the fixture. The linear housing contains several heads that can be moved along the track and reoriented to focus on different directions. This ability to adjust and reposition the lighting makes track lighting ideal for kitchens or gallery spaces where the task or accent lighting is needed, but where the desired focus may change. 

5. Desk and Table Lamps 

Desk and table lamps are largely used as task lights because they’re flexible and can be positioned in various locations as needed (like adjacent to a comfy chair for reading or at a desk for work). They typically provide light in a downward direction, illuminating the surface directly below it rather than providing a general glow, which prevents them from often being used as ambient lights. However, like wall sconces, they can be a major design feature in space because they are highly visible.

6. Wall Sconces 

Wall sconces are some of the most decorative fixtures in the lighting market because they are frequently installed at eye-level in most rooms. They can be either uplights or downlights, providing ambient or task lighting, depending on the fixture, but are rarely powerful enough to provide enough illumination alone to light a large space. They’re often found on either side of a fireplace or bed for additional illumination, highlighting these visual focal points within a space.

7. Task Lighting

Task light provides you with a specific amount of illumination to adequately carry out certain tasks. Indeed, light solutions which are able to produce suitably bright illumination. This type of illumination is best achieved by installing recessed, track, under-cabinet and portable light solutions in your task areas.

As the name suggests, task lighting illuminates areas where you perform certain tasks for a wide range of domestic situations such as cooking, reading, workshop time, grooming, office work, reading and playing games with friends and family. You want it to be bright enough to perform the activity and be free of shadows.

Because of their warm glow, incandescent lights aren’t a good choice for task lighting. Many homeowners prefer cool-toned LED or compact fluorescent bulbs for their sharpness and greater contrast.

8. Cove Lighting 

Cove lighting is an elegant type of lighting that is usually mounted to or incorporated into the upper portion of a wall or ceiling. Usually hidden from direct view, it provides uplighting along the edges of a room onto the ceiling. Today, most cove lighting is provided by a thin strip of LEDs along a cove or niche that is already created in the room. It provides diffuse, ambient lighting.

9. Accent Lighting

Accent light is mainly used to help set a certain tone or mood within a room. The best way of achieving this is by investing in light solutions like table lamps and ceiling chandeliers. In addition, accent light can also be used to draw attention to, particularly interesting or attractive features within your rooms such as sculptures, pieces of art, masterpiece or unique architectural elements.

When you want to highlight a spot or object either indoors or outdoors. Accent lighting does the job. Whether it’s feature walls, paintings, family photos or other prized items inside, for maximum effect, make accent lighting at least three times brighter than surrounding ambient light. Many people like cool-toned LED lights for their spotlight effect.

10. Exterior Lighting

You must also give the outside of your property consideration when it comes to choosing light solutions, especially if you are someone who enjoys spending plenty of time outdoors for example, bbq or parties. Certainly, the addition of some solar-powered light products to your garden can help it to come alive in a whole different way when the sun goes down. The installation of a sensor light can ensure that you will always be able to see where you’re going when you step outside for some late evening air. Driveway and pathway light solutions can also be a very beneficial addition to your exterior, especially during the winter months.