The ceiling light, the light of the whole room
Key takeaways:
- A ceiling light is a light fixture mounted flush with the ceiling, or very close to it, that spreads light from the highest point and provides the general lighting of the room.
- It is chosen first according to the room: bright, crisp light in the kitchen, warm and soft in the bedroom, a model protected against moisture in the bathroom.
- Installation and connection should be entrusted to a qualified electrician, and the product page states for each model the type of light source, the luminous flux in lumens and the IP rating.
A ceiling light is a light fixture mounted directly on the ceiling, or very close to it, that provides the general lighting of a room by spreading light from its highest point. It matters for two reasons: it is the main source of light in most rooms, and it also sets the tone of your interior, without cluttering the space or getting in the way.
It naturally provides functional lighting, the kind that lets you see what you are doing, but it also creates highlighted areas, shadows, personality and character. Every room must indeed be properly lit for everyday activities: cleaning, entertaining, resting, cooking, eating or even exercising. Choosing the right ceiling lights is therefore a decisive step in your interior decor.
With a dimmer, they completely change the mood of a room, and with beautiful shades, they give personality to the decor. With recessed spotlights, you have exactly the amount of useful light, or you highlight a painting, a work of art, a piece of furniture or a specific corner. All rooms naturally need a ceiling light for their background light.
Yet each room is treated according to how you use it: a bathroom does not call for the same ceiling light as a living room, a bedroom differs from a dining room and the kitchen needs a different light from the hallway. This Lustria collection brings together all of our ceiling lights: radiating and star-shaped models, LED circles and knots, smoked or opal glass globes, clean square shapes, sparkling dandelions, rattan or bamboo domes and lotus shapes. Also discover our designer ceiling lights. Smart features, remote control or mobile app, are rather to be found among our LED ceiling lights, on some models.
Why are ceiling lights so important?
Ceiling lights hold a large place in interior decoration because they set the tone of the whole room. They define the character of the decor and interact with the finishes of the floors and walls, the colors, the materials, the fabrics and the furniture. Most often mounted in the center of the ceiling, this light fixture spreads the light evenly and, when well chosen, becomes a focal point that draws the eye and completes the style of the room.
They serve as main lighting or mood lighting and, if you have installed spotlights, they highlight a specific element, paintings or a piano for example. On a practical level, their value comes down to one simple thing: they spread the light from the highest point, the ceiling. A round ceiling light in chrome metal or wood thus brings a touch of modernity or a natural warmth, and transforms the atmosphere of a room.
Types of ceiling lights
There are four main families of ceiling lights:
- the flat ceiling light, fixed to the ceiling with little or no gap: it is the most discreet solution under a low ceiling, very popular in modern and minimalist interiors;
- the semi-flush ceiling light, mounted on a short stem that lifts it slightly off the ceiling, which lets the light also spread upward;
- the ceiling light with adjustable spotlights, whose adjustable heads direct the light toward a painting, a worktop or a corner of the room, which makes it valuable in a large room;
- the recessed spotlight, set into the ceiling itself, which suits low ceilings very well.
The decorative ceiling light, finally, plays on a shape or a material to become the focus of the room. Hanging light fixtures, such as large chandeliers and our pendant lights, bring an elegant and refined note to the living room or dining room. The range is completed by LED, dimmable or connected models, and by ceiling lights with a motion sensor.
| Type of ceiling light | Principle | Where to install it |
|---|---|---|
| Flat | Fixed flush with the ceiling | Low ceiling, hallway, bedroom |
| Semi-flush | Slightly lifted off by a short stem | Living room, dining room |
| With adjustable spotlights | Adjustable heads, directed light | Kitchen, office, large room |
| Decorative | Striking shape or material | Living room, entryway |
Which model suits you best?
When buying a new ceiling light, the choice is wide. To simplify it, first think about the function the light fixture must fulfill: are you looking for a simple model that just lights the room, or a creation that fits into an existing decor and goes, for example, with a coffee table or a sofa? Our customer service team answers your questions if you hesitate.
As for styles, look at designer ceiling lights, but also modern, classic and rustic lines or colored glass in a stained-glass style. The materials offered include glass, wood, fabric and chrome metal: metal gives an industrial touch, wood a warm atmosphere, and geometric shapes a contemporary note. Finally, compare the features, adjustable brightness or remote control, using the product pages, where the price is also shown.
Integrated LED or a bulb to replace
Some ceiling lights have an integrated LED source: they are often very flat and last a long time, but the LED cannot be replaced like a bulb. Others use one or more bulbs, E27, E14 or GU10 for example, which you choose according to the shade of light you want. When the technical specifications mention no type of base, the source is integrated, which is the case for most LED ceiling lights.
The product page states for each model the type of source, the shade of light and, where applicable, compatibility with a dimmer. LED ceiling lights stand out for their simplicity and for the variety of their shapes and finishes, from chrome metal to natural wood, which blend harmoniously into every interior.
What brightness for a ceiling light?
It all depends on the model. The brightness of each of our ceiling lights is measured in lumens, a unit that expresses the amount of light emitted, whereas the watts of old bulbs only told you the consumption. So look for this value in the technical specifications of the light fixture you like.
Today's LED ceiling lights no longer give the cold blue of the past: they come in warm or neutral light, and are very energy efficient. A warm white, from 2700 to 3000 K, suits bedrooms and living rooms, where our warm light ceiling lights create a welcoming atmosphere. A neutral white, around 4000 K, or even cooler, is better for work spaces such as the kitchen.
Are ceiling lights dimmable?
Yes, we offer a full range of dimmable ceiling lights. Once you have found the ideal model, simply check, in the specifications of its product page, that it is indeed compatible with a dimmer, so you can adjust the brightness according to the time of day and the activity.
If you like a ceiling light that is not marked as dimmable, it is sometimes possible to fit an LED bulb bearing the "dimmable" label: ask our customer service team. Installing a dimmer, like any work on the electrical installation, should be entrusted to a qualified electrician.
Remote control, sensor and connected models
Some ceiling lights are controlled with a remote control or from a mobile app, depending on the product pages, and others include a motion sensor. The latter switch on and off automatically, with no switch to operate.
They are therefore perfect for an entryway, a garage or a hallway that you walk through with your arms full, with no free hand to switch on the light. Connected features, for their part, offer more flexible control of the lighting, adjusted remotely.
Choosing according to the room
Furnishing the home with ceiling lights means considering each room separately, then placing the light fixtures so as to spread the light evenly.
In the living room and dining room
In a living room, a decorative ceiling light, radiating or with LED circles, sets the tone of the room. Prefer an LED living room ceiling light with a refined design, dimmable and, if its product page says so, supplied with a remote control, to adjust the mood to the activities. A white or chrome metal model, with a clean structure, complements a modern style very well, as does a white glass ceiling light.
Place it in the center of the room for even diffusion. In a large space, complete it with wall sconces or table lamps, while models in frosted glass or natural wood enhance the look of the living room.
In the kitchen and the office
In a kitchen, a powerful ceiling light or one with adjustable spotlights provides functional lighting. A steel kitchen ceiling light, or a black metal track whose structure carries several LED spotlights, gives the bright, crisp light that daily tasks require.
The same reasoning applies to the office, where a metal or steel model, with a direct light, clearly lights the work table.
In the bedroom, hallway and entryway
In a bedroom, a warm, diffused light, through an opal globe or a shade, creates a soothing atmosphere. A small round white glass bedroom ceiling light spreads a soft, even glow, especially if its brightness is adjustable.
In a hallway or an entryway, a compact ceiling light gives light without taking up space. Our hallway ceiling lights are best chosen flat and understated, and a motion sensor, when the product page mentions it, proves practical in these passageways.
Installation, safety and maintenance
A ceiling light is connected to the electrical network: entrust the installation to a qualified electrician, who will also check the fixing according to the weight stated on the product page. For maintenance, switch off the power, let it cool and dust with a soft, dry cloth.
Not all ceiling lights suit a damp room: each light fixture has an IP rating, stated on its product page. The NF C 15-100 standard divides the bathroom into safety zones, on which the permitted location depends, with a minimum rating of IP44. Turn to bathroom ceiling lights protected against moisture, often fitted with a synthetic or frosted glass diffuser, and have the location approved by a qualified electrician.
Go through a lighting specialist
Lustria is an online store dedicated to light fixtures, where each product is carefully selected for its quality and its refinement. Each product page details the dimensions, the materials and the type of source.
Explore for example our selection of office ceiling lights to light your interior better, and come back from time to time to discover our new arrivals.
Frequently asked questions about ceiling lights
Here are the answers to the most common questions before choosing a ceiling light.
Ceiling light or pendant light?
A ceiling light under a low ceiling or in a passage room, a pendant light under a higher ceiling or above a table.
The former stays flat against the ceiling and frees up the full height, whereas the latter hangs down into the room and better marks a dining area or a large living room.
Is the bulb included?
The product page states whether the model has an integrated LED or whether a bulb is needed, and which one.
When the specifications indicate no base, the source is integrated into the light fixture. Otherwise, choose an LED bulb with the indicated base, in the shade of light that suits you.
Can a ceiling light be installed in a bathroom?
Only if its IP rating is suited to the installation zone. Have the location approved by a qualified electrician.
The NF C 15-100 standard defines safety zones around the shower and the bathtub, and a minimum rating of IP44 is required. The rating of each model is stated on its product page.
How do you maintain a ceiling light?
With the power off and the light fixture cool, a soft, dry cloth is enough, with no abrasive product.
Dust the diffuser regularly, so that the light keeps all its brightness. A glass globe is cleaned with a barely damp cloth, away from the electrical parts.
How do you choose the right LED ceiling light for each room of the house?
By starting from the use of each room. In the living room, a dimmable designer LED model adjusts the mood, and in the kitchen, a steel ceiling light or one with adjustable spotlights gives a bright light.
In the bedroom, a small round white glass model spreads a soft, restful glow, and in the bathroom, protection against moisture is needed.
What are the recent new features in LED ceiling light design?
First, connected technologies: models controlled by remote control or by a mobile app, and integrated motion sensors, practical in passageways.
As for materials, creations that combine wood, metal and glass give a contemporary, clean look. Chrome or matte black finishes are very popular, as are dimmable LEDs.
What are the benefits of LED ceiling lights?
They use less energy, which reduces the electricity bill, and their source lasts much longer, hence fewer replacements and less maintenance.
The brightness and the color temperature, warm or cool, can be adjusted on many models. Their even, stable light improves visual comfort, and their shapes range from modern to classic.
How do you fit a designer LED ceiling light into a modern decor?
By choosing a model with clean lines and contemporary materials, such as chrome metal or glass. A round or geometric ceiling light adds an artistic note.
Black or white finishes complement a minimalist decor. Prefer a dimmable or connected model, whose color temperature can be adjusted if possible, to adapt the light to the times of day.
How do you get good lighting with an LED ceiling light?
Start with the right color temperature: a warm white, from 2700 to 3000 K, in bedrooms and the living room, a neutral or cool white in work spaces such as the kitchen.
Use dimmable LEDs to adjust the brightness according to the time of day, and place the ceiling light in the center of the room. In a large space, add wall sconces or table lamps.
What are the strengths of black metal or wooden ceiling lights?
Black ceiling lights in metal bring a modern, industrial touch that fits into a contemporary or minimalist decor. They are sturdy and easy to maintain.
Wooden ceiling lights give off a natural warmth, ideal in a Scandinavian or rustic interior. Both come in LED versions, for reduced consumption.