Leave it to Real Simple magazine to make it just that: Real Simple. In a September issue they gave a quick, concise article on your overhead lighting options. Consider it Overhead 101. Here are the options they listed for when you are considering lighting for your home!
Flush mount—These lighting fixtures (as the name would suggest)sit completely flush with the ceiling. They are best used in a kitchen or bathroom where full light is needed. If you have one in a room where you don’t need so much light—try a lower wattage bulb!
SemiFlush—These fixtures will have a base that is flush with the ceiling but a base that drops down a foot or so. These styles step away from the ordinary flush mounts, but don’t go as extravagant as the pendants.
Pendant—These fixtures are any that hang down from a chain or cord. They include all types of chandeliers—even exquisite large chandeliers that most would guess to be in a class all of their own. These are best used over tables or in rooms with tall ceilings. Real Simple’s tip to finding the perfect size? “Add up the length and width of the room in feet and use the same number in inches for your fixture’s diameter.”
Recessed—These lights are embedded into the ceiling. These types of fixtures are great if youprefer to have lighting that is out of the line of vision. They work well for low ceilings. Some even offer a directional light which you could then point at a specific area of the room.
Track lights—These light fixtures can be adjusted in two ways. You can either slide them to a specific spot on the track or point them at a specific area of the room.
Content Provided By: Julia Ritzenthaler