Choosing the right light fixture
Key takeaways:
- A light fixture is a fixed lighting device, most often a pendant light or ceiling light, that gives a room its main light and a good part of its style.
- The choice depends first on ceiling height: a pendant light under a high ceiling or above a table, a ceiling light in a low room.
- Installation and connection should be entrusted to a qualified electrician, and a wet room calls for a model whose IP rating suits the location.
A light fixture is a lighting device that holds and powers a light source and, mounted on the ceiling, gives a room its main light while setting its style. It is the first element you notice when you switch on the light, the one around which lamps are added.
The Lustria team has put this guide together for you: colors of light, types of bulbs, how light fixtures influence style. This collection brings together our ceiling lights and our pendant lights: glass globes, LED rings and bars, rattan or woven bamboo, multi-light compositions, petal, star or cloud shapes.
The three roles of light
All lighting falls into one of these three families. General lighting, or ambient lighting, is the main light of the room: that of the ceiling light or pendant light, complemented by the natural light from the windows. Accent lighting targets a specific area, a reading chair, an island, a table or a work of art, which it highlights without overwhelming it.
Task lighting serves an activity: a desk lamp for writing, a vanity lamp for makeup, a light above the sink. A single light fixture sometimes plays several roles, like the pendant lights over an island or a track of spotlights, and it is by layering these levels that you give a room depth.
The color of light
The color temperature is measured in kelvins (K): below 4000 K, the light turns yellow and looks warmer, while above that it turns blue and looks cooler.
- Around 2000 K: a golden glow, close to that of a candle.
- From 2700 to 3000 K: warm white, soft and flattering, the most common.
- Around 4000 K: neutral white, neither yellow nor blue.
- Up to 6500 K: daylight, bright, bluish and quickly dazzling.
Tastes remain personal, but warm white suits bedrooms and living rooms, where you want a welcoming atmosphere, and neutral white suits the kitchen and the bathroom, where you need to see details. Daylight is best reserved for the garage, the basement or the vanity.
Lumens, watts and bulbs
Lumens measure the amount of light emitted: the more there are, the more light the bulb gives, and it is the first value to read on an LED. Watts only indicate the power consumed, a benchmark inherited from filament bulbs.
The higher the power, the more the bulb consumes, without telling you its actual brightness. Also check the base and the maximum wattage allowed by the light fixture, shown on the product page.
Types of bulbs
The incandescent bulb, loved for its warm light and low cost, mostly turned electricity into heat: it was withdrawn from sale between 2009 and 2012. The halogen, with a brighter white, which was handled with gloves so as not to leave grease on the glass, followed on September 1, 2018 for most models (except G9 and R7s bases).
Compact fluorescent bulbs, more economical, contain traces of mercury: avoid breaking them and take them to a collection point. The LED is the most economical and longest-lasting source, which offsets a purchase price that is sometimes higher. It can be controlled with a dimmer if it carries the "dimmable" mention, and many of our LED light fixtures have it built in.
Smart bulbs
All smart bulbs are LEDs, but not all LEDs are smart. Screwed into existing lamp holders, they are controlled from a remote control or an app to vary the intensity, change color or schedule switching on.
Was the kitchen left on at bedtime? You turn it off from your phone. Their upfront cost is higher, but the comfort and the energy savings often justify the investment.
Pendant light or ceiling light
From the large chandelier to the accent lamp, light fixtures can be combined, and the ceiling carries the centerpiece. The pendant light hangs from a cable, a rod or a chain: it requires sufficient ceiling height and draws the eye, especially above a table. The ceiling light, mounted flush with the ceiling, is better suited to low ceilings, hallways and bedrooms.
| Type of light fixture | Recommended ceiling | Where to install it |
|---|---|---|
| Chandelier | High ceiling | Entryway, dining room, living room |
| Pendant light | Standard or high | Dining table, island, bedroom |
| Ceiling light | Low or standard | Hallway, entryway, bedroom, walk-in closet |
| Recessed spotlights | Low or attic | Kitchen, living room, bathroom |
Chandeliers and pendant lights
A centerpiece of interiors for centuries, the chandelier is more popular than ever. To the crystal model have been added modern, rustic, wooden, beaded or rectangular chandeliers, from the most understated to the most elaborate. They are seen in entryways, dining rooms and living rooms, and they also bring a refined touch to a bedroom.
The pendant light comes down from the ceiling like a pendant on its chain. It carries a single light, sometimes several, and is installed alone or in a series, from the country lantern to the contemporary glass globe. Above an island, pendant lights are usually spaced 60 to 80 cm apart.
Ceiling lights and recessed spotlights
Pressed against the ceiling, the ceiling light is the ally of low rooms. Its family includes semi-flush ceiling lights, which drop a few centimeters without reaching the length of a pendant light. It finds its place in an entryway, a walk-in closet, a basement or a bathroom, in a discreet or ornate version.
The recessed spotlights disappear into low or attic ceilings, where they spread an even light, alone or at regular intervals. Their very simple design adds a layer of light to a pendant light or a chandelier without disturbing its style.
Track spotlights and ceiling fans
The track lines up several light heads, or small pendant lights, on a straight or curved profile that accessories allow you to extend. Its adjustable spotlights can be moved at will to light the room, a work surface, a painting or photographs.
The ceiling light with a fan solves two issues, since it circulates the air and lights the room. The larger the blades, the greater the volume of air moved: it is a good option for a bedroom or a living area.
Wall sconces, lamps and floor lamps as complements
A wall sconce highlights the other lights in a room: near a reading nook or a bedside, in a hallway, next to a painting, a mirror or a fireplace. Both traditional and contemporary, this chameleon of decoration is installed and connected by a qualified electrician.
Around the bathroom mirror, you choose a light bar placed above, at most as wide as the vanity unit and fixed at about 1.90 m from the floor, or two wall sconces at eye level, between 1.50 m and 1.80 m. Shaving, hairstyling and makeup benefit from an even light, which the mirror with integrated LEDs spreads all around its edge.
Fixed light fixtures are made to last, whereas lamps and shades are replaced as tastes change. A table lamp completes an office, a reading nook or a bedroom. It plugs into a simple outlet, like a floor lamp, and changing its shade is enough to follow a new color palette.
Lighting room by room
Each room has its function, and the light you install there decides its atmosphere.
Kitchen and bathroom
The kitchen is often the most brightly lit room: people talk, cook, eat and put things away there, and shadows quickly darken it. Among our kitchen light fixtures, recessed spotlights or a large ceiling light provide the general lighting, pendant lights highlight the island and the table, and light bars under the wall cabinets brighten the countertop.
In the bathroom, you first choose a fixture designed for wet rooms, by reading the safety information on its product page. A ceiling light or waterproof spotlights give even lighting, wall sconces in pairs frame the mirror, and a chandelier adds style if it stays outside the safety zones: see our bathroom light fixtures.
Bedroom and living room
The bedroom calls for comfort and intimacy. Its lighting stays simple and warm with a ceiling light and a pair of wall sconces or bedside lamps, or becomes more decorative thanks to a floor lamp, spotlights or a track, two approaches covered by our bedroom light fixtures.
The living room is the ideal place to layer the three levels of lighting. Combine a ceiling light, with or without a fan, with a few lamps, or dare to use a large chandelier complemented by discreet spotlights, then light a painting or your favorite armchair. The bedroom is a refuge, while our living room light fixtures show off your style.
Entryway, hallway and outdoor
The entryway gives the first impression of the home, and the hallway leads to the other rooms: the eye looks for a focal point there. A chandelier or a pendant light creates a warm welcome, a low ceiling calling instead for a ceiling light among our hallway light fixtures. Wall sconces and tracks create an art gallery effect around your photographs.
Outside, only outdoor light fixtures designed for this use are suitable, with their IP rating on the product page: an indoor model withstands neither wind, nor rain, nor frost. How many you need depends on the size of the house and the garden. Wall lights are fixed near the door, just above eye level, and bollard lights and path markers highlight the paths.
Light fixtures and decor style
Faced with thousands of models, choosing a style narrows the search. The country style (or "farmhouse") cultivates a rustic simplicity: clean lines, bright light, wood, iron, matte black and weathered white. The cottage, its neighbor, mixes patinated finishes, a vintage touch and eclectic designs.
The modern light fixture prefers chrome, glass, black and metal, pure lines and minimalism: LED rings and gold metals suit it well. The transitional style borrows from both the traditional and the modern, so that almost all light fixtures find their place in it.
The classic keeps a timeless charm with satin nickel, polished brass, bronze and details with character: crystal, drops, flame bulbs, shades. The industrial light fixture, bold and functional, shows the bulb instead of hiding it, with metal cages, glass globes and exposed filaments. A natural or bohemian interior prefers rattan, bamboo and woven fibers.
Installation and safety
A pendant light, a ceiling light or a chandelier is connected to the electrical grid: installation and connection should be entrusted to a qualified electrician. Each fixture is classified according to its environment: dry locations for rooms without condensation, damp locations thanks to seals that protect the circuits, or a waterproof model, which withstands direct splashes and rain.
This classification is read from the IP rating on the product page. In the bathroom, the NF C 15-100 standard defines safety zones and requires a minimum rating of IP44 in areas exposed to splashes. The light fixtures in this collection are intended for indoor use, unless otherwise stated. On a model made of natural fibers, paper or fabric, use an LED bulb, which gives off little heat.
Go through a lighting specialist
Lustria is an online store devoted to light fixtures, where each model is carefully selected for its finishes and its elegance, from the desk light fixture to the large living area piece.
Each product page details dimensions, materials and compatible bulb, so you can compare models. Also remember to check out our new arrivals.
Frequently asked questions about light fixtures
Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about ceiling light fixtures.
Which light fixture should you choose for a low ceiling?
A ceiling light, mounted flush with the ceiling, is generally more suitable than a pendant light: it lights the whole room without getting in the way.
A semi-flush ceiling light or recessed spotlights are two other solutions for a low room.
Which light fixture above a dining table?
A pendant light centered on the table, or several small pendant lights lined up for a large table. Choose its width in proportion to the table and have your electrician adjust the height.
It is generally placed 70 to 90 cm above the tabletop.
Can you install a light fixture in a bathroom?
Yes, but only a model whose IP rating suits the zone concerned, according to the NF C 15-100 standard, with a minimum of IP44 near water points.
Check this rating on the product page and call on a qualified electrician.
How do you maintain a ceiling light fixture?
Switch off the power, let it cool, then dust it with a soft, dry cloth, or a feather duster for natural fibers.
Avoid water and household products. Glass is wiped with a barely damp cloth, and unvarnished brass develops a patina over time.
What is the difference between a pendant light and a ceiling light?
The pendant light hangs from a cable, a rod or a chain, whereas the ceiling light is fixed directly against the ceiling.
The former draws the eye above a table; the latter spreads an even light in low rooms.
Which color temperature should you choose depending on the room?
A warm white of 2700 to 3000 K in the living room and the bedroom, a neutral white of about 4000 K in the kitchen and the bathroom.
Daylight, which is cooler, is kept for the garage or the basement.
Which bulb should you choose for a light fixture?
An LED bulb, with the base indicated on the product page and a wattage that does not exceed the maximum allowed by the light fixture.
Compare lumens rather than watts and, on a dimmer, choose a bulb carrying the "dimmable" mention.
How many light fixtures does a room need?
Several, spread across the three levels of lighting: a ceiling light fixture for general light, then supplementary sources for accent and task lighting.
In a living room, the pendant light is complemented by a lamp near the sofa and a wall sconce near a painting.
Do you need an electrician to install a pendant light or a ceiling light?
Yes: a ceiling light fixture is connected to the electrical grid, and its installation and connection should be entrusted to a qualified electrician.
They check the mounting and adjust the height. Only table lamps and floor lamps plug into a power outlet.
Can you install an indoor light fixture outdoors?
No: an indoor light fixture withstands neither rain, nor frost, nor dust, and is never installed outside.
Under a porch or on a terrace, choose a model designed for outdoor use, with its IP rating.