Types of Ceiling Lighting

It's an easy design element to overlook, but the type of lighting in a room can affect everything from the space's usefulness to its overall style and ambiance. Choosing the right fixture, based on ceiling height and the room's purpose, can change a boring room into a place that's beautiful, useful and inviting.

Flush and Semi-Flush

Flush lights mount right up against the ceiling, while semi-flush lights leave a few inches between the fixture and the ceiling. They are one of the most versatile types of ceiling lighting since they can be installed just about anywhere, including low ceilings. Flush fixtures are best for ceilings that are 8 feet high or lower, while semi-flush fixtures work well for ceilings between 8 and 10 feet high. Both styles provide general or ambient light, but usually a single fixture is not enough to light an extra-large area. They are also not good for task lighting, which is needed at a work desk or a kitchen counter.


Recessed lighting is mounted within the ceiling so that the fixture does not hang down into the room. Sometimes called pot lighting, recessed fixtures are typically small and round. This type of lighting is good for very low ceilings or areas where protruding fixtures might get damaged, like a game room. Several recessed fixtures can be placed in a row or pattern to light up a large area. Depending on the type of bulb used and whether or not there is a glass panel to diffuse the light, recessed fixtures can provide either ambient or task lighting.

Chandelier and Pendant

Most commonly used above dining tables and countertops, chandelier and pendant fixtures provide both light and decoration for a room. In addition to the kitchen and dining area, these types of lights are good for rooms with tall ceilings over 10 feet. They can be placed in rooms with low ceilings as well, as long as there is a table or other piece of furniture underneath the light to balance out its appearance and keep people from walking into it. Pendants and chandeliers with downward lighting can be good for task lighting but generally are used for ambient or ambiance lighting.


Track lighting, as the name suggests, consists of a series of lights on a track. Often the lights look like small spotlights and can be adjusted to face any desired direction. Track lighting is good for bathrooms and kitchens where a lot of task lighting is needed. These fixtures also fit well into modern decorating schemes in place of flush or semi-flush ceiling lights. Track lighting can also be used decoratively to highlight architectural features or artwork on the wall.