Ceiling lights: flush, semi-flush and statement designs
The light on the ceiling sets the tone for the whole room. How to choose flush and semi-flush designs, size them for your ceiling, tame glare and turn a plain fitting into sculpture.
14 articles
Lamp Types
Ceiling, pendant, floor, wall, in-ground and LED lights.
Pendant or chandelier, floor lamp or wall light, downlight or LED strip: every lamp type has its strengths, its rules and its classic mistakes. Our guides explain each one and show how designers use it.
Pendant lights: how to choose, hang and combine them
A pendant brings light down to where life happens: over the table, the island or the stair. How to choose shades, set the right height, plan clusters and avoid the classic hanging mistakes.
Modern chandeliers: from crystal to sculpture
The chandelier never went away, it simply changed shape. How crystal, glass, brass and sculptural designs work today, how to size and hang them, and how to set a classic piece in a modern room.
Floor lamps: reading, arc and uplighter designs
No new wiring, no drilling, and light exactly where you need it. A guide to reading lamps, arcs, uplighters and tripods, with heights, placement beside sofas and chairs, and design ideas.
Table lamps: the most personal light in a room
A table lamp sits within reach, glows at eye level and says more about you than any other light. How to balance shade and base, choose the right height, use pairs and pick materials.
Wall lights: sconces, swing arms and wall washers
Wall lights bring a room to eye level, sculpt textures and free up floors and tables. A guide to sconces, swing arms, plug-in designs, heights, spacing, bathrooms and outdoor versions.
Recessed downlights: how to avoid the Swiss cheese ceiling
A ceiling full of holes is the most common lighting mistake in new homes. How to plan fewer, better downlights: glare-free optics, beam angles, spacing, wall distances and light for art.
Track lighting: flexible light for lofts and galleries
A ceiling track lets your light move as your room changes. How surface, recessed and magnetic systems work, which beam angles to choose and how to light art like a gallery.
In-ground and floor lights: light from below
Set flush into stone, decking or lawn, in-ground lights wash facades, trees and walls from below. What to know about glare, heat, protection and drive over ratings.
LED strip lighting: hidden lines of light
LED strips draw lines of light into coves, shelves and stairs. How to avoid visible dots, choose colour and voltage, dim smoothly and get a finish that lasts for years.
Picture lights: how to light art at home
From the brass picture light above a portrait to framing projectors in the ceiling: how to light paintings, prints and sculpture without reflections, glare or damage.
Step lights: safe and stylish stairs indoors and out
Small lights set low in walls or under treads make stairs safe at night and give them quiet drama. How to choose optics, heights, spacing, ratings and smart controls.
Linear pendants: one line of light for long tables
A single slim line of light can hold a long dining table or kitchen island together. How to size, hang, level and dim a linear pendant, and what direct and indirect light do.
LED luminaires: integrated LEDs versus lamps with bulbs
Integrated LEDs make lights thinner and more daring than any bulb ever allowed. But what about lifetime and repair? A guide to choosing LED luminaires that last.
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More sections
- IconsThe great designer lamps and the stories behind them.
- DesignersPortraits of the people who shaped light.
- RoomsLighting ideas for every room, from bedroom to garage.
- Outdoor & GardenOutdoor kitchens, gardens, roof terraces and pools at night.
- Materials & CraftGlass, alabaster, brass, paper, stone and ceramic.
- Light & TechnologyKelvin, CRI, lumens, LED, dimming and smart light.
- Styles & ErasBauhaus, Scandinavian, Italian, Art Deco and more.
- GuidesSizing, planning, buying and avoiding mistakes.