How to Choose the Perfect Close to Ceiling Light Fixture, in less than 5 minutes – Guaranteed!

Flush Mount or Semi-Flush Mount lights are likely the most common lighting fixtures in your home.   They are versatile, don’t require much space, and are available in a multitude of styles and finishes.   Close-to-ceiling lights are natural choices for closets, hallways, and small rooms.  Just because you don’t have the space for a large, elaborate light fixture, doesn’t mean you have to settle for plain, boring lights.  So how do you pick the perfect ceiling light?  Follow these easy steps:

When to use Close to the Ceiling Lighting

• For ceiling heights of 8’ or less where people walk underneath the light,  you don’t have much choice other than a Flush Mount ceiling light
• If you need general illumination (sometimes called “ambient light”) Flush or semi-flush are good choices to brighten an entire room. 
• Close-to ceiling lights are perfect for lighting closets, bedrooms, hallways, entry ways and bathrooms
• Adventurous designers are picking semi-flush fixtures for dining areas too.  Just be sure you are getting at least 300 watts of light and the styling is distinctive.  Never pick a functional or boring light for a prime location.

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When NOT to use Close to the Ceiling Lighting

• If you need to focus the light to highlight your room’s artistic features, instead of ambient light, designers recommend recessed lighting or even track lighting.
• If your ceiling isn't wired for a light fixture, you can hire an electrician, or instead choose a Table Lamp or a Floor Lamp.
• If you would like to also move air, consider a  ceiling fans with lights, especially above your bed to make sleeping more comfortable during the dog days of summer.
• Task lighting in the kitchen or above a bar is normally left to pendants or recessed lights.  Task lighting in your home office best handled with a desk lamp
• For a large room with higher ceilings, consider a larger fixture like a chandelier which provides both more light and a focal point to your room.

Flush vs. Semi Flush Lighting

Once you have decided a close to the ceiling light is the right pick, you can save time if you can eliminate half the options by knowing if you need a Flush Mount or Semi-Flush.  A flush mount naturally sits directly on the ceiling, while a semi-flush hangs down several inches, leaving airspace between the ceiling and the fixture.   Based on your ceiling height, you may be limited in what fixture you can install:

• For low ceilings (below 8'), you will want to pick a flush mount light fixture.  (If you will ALWAYS have a table or counter below the light, you can choose a semi-flush or even a chandelier)
• For ceiling heights of 9' to 10'), consider a  semi flush mount light.  Most hang less than a foot from the ceiling.
• For over 10' ceilings, you should consider chandeliers or pendants.
• A flush light fixtures work best in hallways, closets, bedrooms, or bathrooms.
• A semi-flush light fixture adds a nice touch to a kitchen nook or a smaller low-ceiling dining room.

Size Matters

The 2 factors to consider when sizing up your semi-flush or flush ceiling light are the:

1. Width of the fixture – To select the fixture size that will feel right in your room, start with this rule of thumb.  Add together the width and length of the room in feet.  Then convert this sum to inches.  This is the approximate width of the ceiling light fixture you need.   Like all rules, this one doesn’t apply to every situation, so don’t get too hung up on hitting an exact number. 
2. Amount of light provided. Recall Ceiling lights provide ambient  light.  To find proper ambient lighting for a room, multiply the room dimensions to get your total square footage (12’ x 14’ = 168’).  Then multiply the square footage by 1.5 for total watts of  illumination needed (168’ x 1.5 = 252 watts

Designer Tip – If you think you need more light than a normal fixture provides, consider a light that accepts CFL bulbs.  These efficient blubs work well with Flush mount lights and can boost light output up to 4 times.  (For example, a fixture with 2 40 watt incandescent bulbs gives 80 watts of light.  But if you switch to 2 x 40 watt CFL bulbs, you get the equivalent light of a 300 watts, increasing your output by almost 400%!)

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What’s Your Style?

Hang in there, we are almost done.  One critical decision remains.  What STYLE best fits your personality?  The old options of traditional or contemporary or Transitional (whatever that means) just don’t fit anymore.  So we have sorted our ceiling lighting into 11 distinct categories.  Explore the ones that are pinterest-worthy.

< span style="font-weight: bold;">Crystal Shop Crystal Flush Mounts Shop all Crystal Semi-Flush

Traditional Shop Traditional Flush Mounts Shop all Traditional Semi-Flush

European Shop European Flush Mounts Shop European Semi-Flush

Casual Shop Casual Flush Mounts Shop Casual Semi-Flush

< span style="font-weight: bold;">Contemporary Shop Contemporary Flush Mounts Shop Contemporary Semi-Flush

Mission Shop Mission Flush Mounts Shop Mission Semi-Flush

Art Lights Art Lights Flush Mounts Products Art Lights Semi-Flush Products

Indu strial Shop Industrial Flush Mounts

Restoration Restoration Flush Mounts Restoration Semi-Flush

Tiffany Shop All Tiffany Semi-Flush Fixtures Products

Tropical Attractive Tropical Semi-Flush Products here!

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SHOP ALL Ceiling Lighting Products

Matchy Match or Blended?

• If your room has additional light fixtures, you should always consider buying lights from the same collection.  Yes, look at them, but please don’t feel locked in to only these options.  Designers today are not constrained by only choosing “Matchy-Matchy” options.  Blending is in.  Think outside the box a bit and try to blend different looks together.  If you need a second opinion, just call or chat with one of our lighting pros.  We love to help creative thinking customers!

Insider Tips & Trends

• LED and Xenon ceiling fixtures push the style envelope and create lights that will stun your guests. 
• Energy Star close mount lights can significantly lower your utility bill and boost your light output.
• Fabric shades are back.  Check out the new styles.

Choosing the right semi-flush or flush ceiling light should be determined by your own personal taste and style. Trust your gut and first impression.  You know what you like and what makes you feel good.  

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• Unscrew the center bolt.
• Remove the bowl and clean or install bulbs.
• Restore bowl and screw it back in position

• Silver & Pewter Flush Mounts
• Brown Flush Mount Fixtures
• Dark Flush Mount Fixtures
• Cream & Light Flush Mounts
• Modular Flush Mounts
• Crystal Flush Mounts
• Tiffany & Art-Glass Flush Mounts
• Ceiling Track Flush Mounts Lighting

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