21 Different Types Of Light Fixtures And How to Choose

We’ve all heard that lighting can make or break a room. It can transform a dreary area into a showpiece or a dull space into a pleasant hideaway. That’s why we’re here to educate you on the various types of light fixtures available. From chandeliers to table lights and everything in between, we’ve got you covered.

We’ll tell you where they operate best, what rooms they perform best in, and what light temperature you should choose. We’ll even provide some frequently asked questions to assist you. So, please take a seat, relax, and let’s get started.

1. Chandelier Light Fixtures

Description: A chandelier light fixture is a decorative lighting piece that hangs from the ceiling, typically featuring multiple lights and intricate designs.

decorative chandelier hangs from the ceiling

Suggested room to use: Chandeliers are often used in formal dining rooms, living rooms, and entryways.

Best for Indoor or Outdoor?: Indoor

How can it be best used indoors?: Chandeliers can be used to draw attention to the ceiling while also providing elegance to a place. They can also serve as ambient or task lighting.

Suggested Light Temperature To Consider: Warm white (2700K-3000K) is a popular choice for chandeliers as it creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

2. Pendant Lights Fixtures

Description: A pendant light is a light fixture that hangs from the ceiling, typically by a cord or chain.

multiple red pendant light fixtures

Suggested room to use: Pendant lights are often used in kitchens, dining rooms, and other areas where task lighting is needed.

Best for Indoor or Outdoor?: Indoor

How can it be best used indoors?: Pendant lights can be used for task lighting, such as over a kitchen island or dining table. They can also be used to add a decorative touch to a room.

Suggested Light Temperature To Consider: Warm white (2700K-3000K) for a cozy and warm atmosphere or cool white (4000K-5000K) for a bright and energizing atmosphere.

3. Table Lamp Fixtures

Description: A table lamp is a small, portable light fixture on a table or other surface.

wooden portable table lamp

Suggested room to use: Table lamps can be used in any homeroom but are particularly useful in living rooms, bedrooms, and home offices.

Best for Indoor or Outdoor? Indoor

How can it be best used indoors?: Table lamps can be utilized as task illumination or as decorative accents in a room. They can also make a place feel more snug and intimate.

Suggested Light Temperature To Consider: Warm white (2700K-3000K) for a cozy and warm atmosphere or cool white (4000K-5000K) for a bright and energizing atmosphere.

4. Floor Lamp Fixtures

Description: A floor lamp is a tall, freestanding light fixture that sits on the floor.

freestanding floor lamp in living room

Suggested room to use: Floor lamps are often used in living rooms, bedrooms, and home offices.

Best for Indoor or Outdoor?: Indoor

How can it be best used indoors?: Floor lamps can be utilized as task lighting or as decorative accents in a room. They can also make a place feel more snug and intimate.

Suggested Light Temperature To Consider: Warm white (2700K-3000K) for a cozy and warm atmosphere or cool white (4000K-5000K) for a bright and energizing atmosphere.

5. Desk Lamps Fixtures

Description: A desk lamp is a small, portable light fixture that sits on a desk or other surface.

Suggested room to use: Desk lamps are often used in home offices, bedrooms, and other areas where people work or read.

Best for Indoor or Outdoor? Indoor

How can it be best used indoors?: Desk lamps can be used for task lighting, such as reading or working, or to add a decorative touch to a room.

Suggested Light Temperature To Consider: Cool white (4000K-5000K) for a bright and energizing atmosphere, suitable for reading and working.

6. Wall Sconces Light Fixtures

Description: A wall sconce is a light fixture that attaches to a wall, typically providing both ambient and task lighting.

Suggested room to use: Wall sconces are often used in hallways, stairways, bathrooms, bedrooms, and living rooms.

Best for Indoor or Outdoor?: Indoor

How can it be best used indoors?: Wall sconces can be used for ambient lighting, task lighting, or to add a decorative touch to a room. They can also be used to highlight artwork or other features on a wall.

Suggested Light Temperature To Consider: Warm white (2700K-3000K) for a cozy and warm atmosphere or cool white (4000K-5000K) for a bright and energizing atmosphere.

7. Outdoor Wall Sconce Light Fixtures

Description: Outdoor wall sconces are a type of light fixture that attaches to a wall, typically providing ambient and task lighting.

wall sconce lamp on the house wall

Suggested room to use: Outdoor wall sconces are often used in outdoor spaces such as porches, patios, and decks.

Best for Indoor or Outdoor?: Outdoor

How can it be best used outdoors?: Outdoor wall sconces can provide ambient lighting, task lighting, or a decorative touch to an outdoor space. They can also be used to highlight the architectural features of a building.

Suggested Light Temperature To Consider: Warm white (2700K-3000K) for a cozy and warm atmosphere or cool white (4000K-5000K) for a bright and energizing atmosphere.

8. Spot Light Fixtures

Description: A spotlight is a light fixture that produces a directed beam of light to highlight a specific area or object.

Suggested room to use: Spotlights are often used in art galleries, museums, and other areas in your home where specific objects or features need to be highlighted.

Best for Indoor or Outdoor?: Indoor and Outdoor

How can it be best used indoors and outdoors? Spotlights can be used for task lighting, to highlight artwork or other features in a room. They can also create a sense of drama in a space. How can it be best used Outdoor? Spotlights can highlight landscaping, architectural features, and other outdoor elements.

Suggested Light Temperature To Consider: Neutral white (3500K-4000K) for a neutral and balanced atmosphere, suitable for highlighting artwork and other features.

9. Strip Light Fixtures

Description: A strip light is a type of light fixture that produces a continuous line of light.

Suggested room to use: Strip lights are often used in kitchens, bathrooms, closets, and other areas where task lighting is needed.

Best for Indoor or Outdoor?: Indoor

How can it be best used indoors?: Strip lights can be used for task lighting, such as under-cabinet lighting in a kitchen, or to add a decorative touch to a room.

Suggested Light Temperature To Consider: Cool white (4000K-5000K) for a bright and energizing atmosphere, suitable for task lighting.

10. Ceiling Fan Light Fixtures

Description: A ceiling fan light fixture combines a ceiling fan and light fixture, providing cooling and lighting in a room.

Suggested room to use: Ceiling fan light fixtures are often used in bedrooms, living rooms, and other areas where both cooling and lighting are needed.

Best for Indoor or Outdoor?: Indoor

How can it be best used indoors?: Ceiling fan fixtures can keep a room cool and provide ambient or task lighting. They can also be used to add a decorative touch to a room.

Suggested Light Temperature To Consider: Warm white (2700K-3000K) for a cozy and warm atmosphere or cool white (4000K-5000K) for a bright and energizing atmosphere.

11. Outdoor Ceiling Fan Light Fixtures

Description: Outdoor Ceiling Fans are similar to indoor ceiling fans but are designed to be weather resistant. They provide cooling and light in outdoor living spaces such as porches, patios, and gazebos.

illuminated fan on a patio ceiling

Suggested room to use: Outdoor Ceiling Fans are often used in outdoor spaces such as porches, patios, and gazebos.

Best for Indoor or Outdoor?: Outdoor

How can it be best used outdoors?: Outdoor Ceiling Fans can provide cooling and light in outdoor living spaces and add a decorative touch to an outdoor space.

Suggested Light Temperature To Consider: Warm white (2700K-3000K) for a cozy and warm atmosphere or cool white (4000K-5000K) for a bright and energizing atmosphere.

12. Track Lighting Fixtures

Description: Track lighting is a type of light fixture that features multiple lights on a single track, allowing the lights to be easily repositioned as needed.

Suggested room to use: Track lighting is often used in kitchens, living rooms, and other areas where task lighting is needed.

Best for Indoor or Outdoor?: Indoor

How can it be best used indoors?: Task lighting, such as illuminating artwork or other decorative elements in a room, is a common application for track lighting. It can also be used to provide general ambient lighting in a room. The lights can be easily repositioned as needed, making them a versatile lighting option.

Suggested Light Temperature To Consider: Cool white (4000K-5000K) for a bright and energizing atmosphere, suitable for task lighting.

13. Recessed Lighting Fixtures

Description: Recessed lighting is a type of light fixture installed into a hole in the ceiling so that the light is flush with the surface of the ceiling.

Suggested room to use: Recessed lighting is often used in kitchens, living rooms, and other areas where general ambient lighting is needed.

Best for Indoor or Outdoor?: Indoor

How can it be best used indoors?: Recessed lighting can provide general ambient lighting in a room and highlight specific features or artwork.

Suggested Light Temperature To Consider: Neutral white (3500K-4000K) for a neutral and balanced atmosphere, suitable for general ambient lighting.

14. Flush Mount Light Fixtures

Description: A flush mount light fixture is a light that sits close to the ceiling, typically with a low profile design.

low profile flush mount light fixture

Suggested room to use: Flush mount lights are often used in hallways, bedrooms, and other areas where general ambient lighting is needed.

Best for Indoor or Outdoor?: Indoor

How can it be best used indoors?: Flush mount lights can provide general ambient lighting and add a decorative touch to a room.

Suggested Light Temperature To Consider: Neutral white (3500K-4000K) for a neutral and balanced atmosphere, suitable for general ambient lighting.

15. Semi-Flush Mount Light Fixtures

Description: A semi-flush mount light fixture is a light that sits slightly away from the ceiling, typically with a low-profile design.

semi flush-mount fixture on the hallway ceiling

Suggested room to use: Semi-flush mount lights are often used in hallways, bedrooms, and other areas where general ambient lighting is needed.

Best for Indoor or Outdoor?: Indoor

How can it be best used indoors?: Semi-flush mount lights can provide general ambient lighting in a room and can also add a decorative touch to a room.

Suggested Light Temperature To Consider: Neutral white (3500K-4000K) for a neutral and balanced atmosphere, suitable for general ambient lighting.

16. Vanity Light Fixtures

Description: A vanity light is a light fixture that is typically installed above or around a bathroom mirror.

vanity lights installed around bathroom mirrors

Suggested room to use: Vanity lights are often used in bathrooms.

Best for Indoor or Outdoor?: Indoor

How can it be best used indoors?: Vanity lights can be used for task lighting, such as applying makeup or shaving and can also add a decorative touch to a bathroom.

Suggested Light Temperature To Consider: Cool white (4000K-5000K) for a bright and energizing atmosphere, suitable for task lighting.

17. Path Light Fixtures

Description: Path lights are typically used to illuminate pathways, walkways, and landscaping.

driveway with multiple light fixtures on both sides

Suggested room to use: Path lights are often used in outdoor spaces such as gardens, walkways, and driveways.

Best for Indoor or Outdoor?: Outdoor

How can it be best used outdoors?: Path lights can provide ambient lighting for pathways and walkways, creating a sense of drama or elegance in an outdoor space. They can also be used to highlight landscaping or other outdoor features.

Suggested Light Temperature To Consider: Neutral white (3500K-4000K) for a neutral and balanced atmosphere, suitable for highlighting landscaping and other outdoor features.

18. Flood Light Fixtures

Description: Flood lights produce a wide beam of light and are often used for security or accent lighting.

flood light fixture for driveway illumination

Suggested room to use: Flood lights are often used in outdoor spaces such as yards and driveways to provide security lighting or to highlight the architectural features of a building.

Best for Indoor or Outdoor?: Outdoor

How can it be best used outdoors?: Flood lights can provide general lighting for large outdoor areas and can also be used to highlight specific features or areas of a property for security or aesthetic reasons.

Suggested Light Temperature To Consider: Neutral white (3500K-4000K) for a neutral and balanced atmosphere, suitable for general lighting and highlighting architectural features.

19. Step Light Fixtures

Description: Step lights are typically used to illuminate steps, providing safety and visibility in outdoor spaces.

staircase with illuminated steps

Suggested room to use: Step lights are often used in outdoor spaces such as stairways, decks, and patios.

Best for Indoor or Outdoor?: Outdoor

How can it be best used outdoors?: Step lights can provide safety and visibility in outdoor spaces, particularly on stairways and decks.

Suggested Light Temperature To Consider: Warm white (2700K-3000K) for a cozy and warm atmosphere or cool white (4000K-5000K) for a bright and energizing atmosphere.

20. Post light Fixtures

Description: Post lights are lights that are typically mounted on posts and used to light outdoor areas such as driveways, walkways, and gardens.

Suggested room to use: Post lights are often used in outdoor spaces such as driveways, walkways, and gardens.

Best for Indoor or Outdoor? Outdoor

How can it be best used outdoors?: Post lights can provide ambient lighting for outdoor spaces such as driveways, walkways, and gardens and add a decorative touch to an outdoor space.

Suggested Light Temperature To Consider: Neutral white (3500K-4000K) for a neutral and balanced atmosphere, suitable for general ambient lighting in outdoor spaces.

21. Deck Light Fixtures

Description: Deck lights are specifically designed for use on decks and patios, providing ambiance and functionality by illuminating the space for activities and highlighting the design elements of the deck or patio.

Suggested room to use: Deck lights are often used in outdoor spaces such as decks and patios.

Best for Indoor or Outdoor?: Outdoor

How can it be best used outdoors?: Deck lights can provide ambient lighting and task lighting for outdoor spaces such as decks and patios and can also be used to highlight the design elements of the deck or patio.

Suggested Light Temperature To Consider: Warm white (2700K-3000K) for a cozy and warm atmosphere or cool white (4000K-5000K) for a bright and energizing atmosphere.

FAQs

Can Chandeliers Be Used In Outdoor Spaces?

Chandeliers are typically used indoors, but some are designed for outdoor use. The outdoor types are often made from weather-resistant metal, glass, and plastic. However, it’s essential to check the manufacturer’s specifications to ensure that the chandelier is suitable for outdoor use. Also, be mindful that they can be hard to clean, especially when living in a dusty area.

Can Table Lamps Be Used In Bathrooms?

Table lamps can be used in bathrooms, but choosing a light suitable for wet environments is vital. Look for lamps with a moisture-resistant shade or a waterproof base.

Can Pendant Lights Be Used In A Kitchen?

Yes, pendant lights are often used in kitchens. They are often used over kitchen islands, countertops, and sink areas to provide task lighting. They can also be used to add a decorative touch to the kitchen.

Can Spotlights Be Used To Light Up A Garden?

Yes, spotlights can light up a garden by highlighting specific features such as trees, sculptures, or other outdoor elements. It is also suitable for security purposes at night. Try some colored bulbs and see how beautiful your garden looks.