A fixture is defined by where it mounts and how its light leaves it. Most rooms want more than one kind, layered, so the light can change with what the room is being used for.
02
Light fixture types at a glance
Each fixture drawn where it would sit, in the same slice of room at one scale.
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01
Recessed in the ceiling
Sits within the ceiling plane for a minimal look.
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02
Ceiling, tight to the surface
Compact, with little or no drop below the ceiling.
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03
Ceiling, on a short stem
A decorative ceiling fixture on a short drop.
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04
Suspended on a cord or stem
Suspended light; task, ambient or accent depending on its design and height.
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05
Suspended, centered on the space
Decorative suspended light, often the room's focal point.
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06
Ceiling or wall track
Several adjustable heads on one shared track.
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07
Wall
Wall-mounted light for ambient, task or accent use.
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08
Wall, at the mirror
Lights the face at the mirror.
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09
Under upper cabinets
Light on the counter, with fewer shadows on the work.
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10
Suspended on cables or stems
Even light along a long surface.
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11
Wall or frame, above the art
Directs light onto one object or surface.
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12
Concealed in a cove, reveal or millwork
A hidden source that washes ceilings and walls with indirect light.
- The fixture
- Where the light comes out
- Edge of the beam
- Hidden above the ceiling
- Architecture and furniture
- One scale throughout, under a 9′-0″ ceiling.
03
Common residential fixture types
Each type up close: how it mounts, the light it gives, and one thing to plan for.
Recessed downlight
- Mounts
- Recessed in the ceiling
- Light
- Ambient, task
- Common in
- Kitchens, living rooms, hallways, bathrooms
Sits within the ceiling plane for a minimal look.
Over a tub or shower, use a fixture rated for damp or wet locations.
In the plansPlan 001 and Plan 002 set their downlights on a dimensioned grid in the reflected ceiling plan.
Flush-mount ceiling light
- Mounts
- Ceiling, tight to the surface
- Light
- Ambient
- Common in
- Bedrooms, hallways, closets, utility rooms, low ceilings
Compact, with little or no drop below the ceiling.
The usual choice where anything hanging would crowd the headroom.
Semi-flush-mount ceiling light
- Mounts
- Ceiling, on a short stem
- Light
- Ambient
- Common in
- Bedrooms, entries, secondary living spaces
A decorative ceiling fixture on a short drop.
More presence than a flush mount, without the height a pendant needs.
Pendant light
- Mounts
- Suspended on a cord or stem
- Light
- Task, ambient or accent
- Common in
- Kitchen islands, dining tables, bedsides, entries
Suspended light; task, ambient or accent depending on its design and height.
Over a counter or table, set the height from the surface; elsewhere, keep it clear of walking paths.
In the plansPlan 003 hangs three pendants over its kitchen island.
Chandelier
- Mounts
- Suspended, centered on the space
- Light
- Ambient, decorative
- Common in
- Dining rooms, entries, stairwells, great rooms
Decorative suspended light, often the room's focal point.
Size it to the table or the room, and center it on the table rather than the room.
Track lighting
- Mounts
- Ceiling or wall track
- Light
- Accent, task
- Common in
- Art walls, living rooms, flexible accent lighting
Several adjustable heads on one shared track.
Aimed at about 30° from vertical, a head lights framed art without throwing glare back off the glass.
Wall sconce
- Mounts
- Wall
- Light
- Ambient, task or accent
- Common in
- Hallways, bedrooms, living rooms, stairways, bathrooms
Wall-mounted light for ambient, task or accent use.
Shield the bare source from view; the right height depends on the fixture and the wall.
Bathroom vanity light
- Mounts
- Wall, at the mirror
- Light
- Task
- Common in
- Bathroom vanities, powder rooms, grooming areas
Lights the face at the mirror.
Light from both sides of the face softens shadows; a bar overhead alone can cast them under the eyes and chin.
Under-cabinet lighting
- Mounts
- Under upper cabinets
- Light
- Task
- Common in
- Kitchen counters, work surfaces, pantries, utility rooms
Light on the counter, with fewer shadows on the work.
Mount it toward the front of the cabinet so the light lands on the counter, not only the backsplash.
In the plansPlan 002 and Plan 003 call for under-cabinet strip lights in the kitchen.
Linear suspended light
- Mounts
- Suspended on cables or stems
- Light
- Task, ambient
- Common in
- Kitchen islands, dining tables, home offices
Even light along a long surface.
One body lights the full length evenly, where separate pendants leave pools of light between them.
Picture light
- Mounts
- Wall or frame, above the art
- Light
- Accent
- Common in
- Artwork, gallery walls, decorative objects
Directs light onto one object or surface.
Size it at about half to three-quarters of the frame width. Watch for glare on glass, and remember any light fades sensitive work over time.
Integrated linear LED and cove lighting
- Mounts
- Concealed in a cove, reveal or millwork
- Light
- Ambient, accent
- Common in
- Ceiling coves, shelving, cabinetry, fireplace walls
A hidden source that washes ceilings and walls with indirect light.
The architecture has to be built for it: the source sits behind a lip, so you see the light, not the strip.
Additional residential lighting types
Lamps are portable rather than built in; step and exterior lights are installed, but mostly belong to stairs and the outside of the house.
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Table lampPortable
Task or ambient light wherever there is an outlet.
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Floor lampPortable
Reading light or uplight beside a chair or sofa.
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Step lightInstalled
Low, shielded light that marks treads and stairs.
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Exterior wall lightInstalled
Entry light, rated for damp or wet locations.
04
Understanding lighting layers
The layers describe what a light is for, not what it looks like. One fixture can serve more than one.
Ambient · 1, 4
General light for the whole room.
Recessed downlights, flush mounts, chandeliers, cove lighting.
Task · 3, 5, 6
Focused light for one activity.
Under-cabinet lights, vanity lights, desk and reading lamps, pendants over a work surface.
Accent · 2
Directed light on an object or surface.
Picture lights, aimed track heads, wall washers, concealed linear LED.
05
Where different fixtures are used
Common patterns, not rules. Any of these can work elsewhere.
General and decorative lighting
Commonly usedAlso used
| Room or condition | Recessed | Flush | Semi-flush | Pendant | Chandelier | Linear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Recessed: commonly used | Flush: also used | Pendant: commonly used | Linear: commonly used | ||
| Dining room | Recessed: also used | Semi-flush: also used | Pendant: commonly used | Chandelier: commonly used | Linear: commonly used | |
| Living room | Recessed: commonly used | Flush: also used | Semi-flush: also used | Pendant: also used | Chandelier: also used | Linear: also used |
| Bedroom | Recessed: also used | Flush: commonly used | Semi-flush: commonly used | Pendant: also used | Chandelier: also used | |
| Bathroom | Recessed: commonly used | Flush: commonly used | Semi-flush: also used | Pendant: also used | ||
| Hallway | Recessed: commonly used | Flush: commonly used | Semi-flush: also used | |||
| Stairway | Recessed: commonly used | Flush: commonly used | Semi-flush: also used | Pendant: also used | Chandelier: commonly used | |
| Home office | Recessed: commonly used | Flush: also used | Semi-flush: also used | Pendant: also used | Linear: commonly used | |
| Closet | Recessed: commonly used | Flush: commonly used | ||||
| Artwork / feature wall | Recessed: also used | Chandelier: also used |
Task and accent lighting
| Room or condition | Track | Sconce | Vanity | Under-cabinet | Picture | Cove / LED |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Track: also used | Sconce: also used | Under-cabinet: commonly used | Cove / LED: also used | ||
| Dining room | Track: also used | Sconce: commonly used | Picture: also used | Cove / LED: also used | ||
| Living room | Track: commonly used | Sconce: commonly used | Picture: commonly used | Cove / LED: commonly used | ||
| Bedroom | Track: also used | Sconce: commonly used | Picture: also used | Cove / LED: also used | ||
| Bathroom | Sconce: commonly used | Vanity: commonly used | Cove / LED: also used | |||
| Hallway | Track: also used | Sconce: commonly used | Picture: also used | Cove / LED: also used | ||
| Stairway | Sconce: commonly used | Picture: also used | Cove / LED: also used | |||
| Home office | Track: also used | Sconce: also used | Under-cabinet: also used | Cove / LED: also used | ||
| Closet | Under-cabinet: also used | Cove / LED: also used | ||||
| Artwork / feature wall | Track: commonly used | Sconce: also used | Picture: commonly used | Cove / LED: commonly used |
06
Fixture placement and typical dimensions
Typical planning guidance, not requirements. Fixture size, ceiling height and sightlines change every one.
Kitchen island pendants
- Bottom of shade above the counter30″–36″
- Small pendants, center to centerabout 24″–30″
Dining table pendant or chandelier
- Bottom of fixture above the table30″–36″
- Higher ceiling, per extra footadd about 3″
- Fixture widthabout the table width less 12″
Bathroom vanity
- Side lights, center heightabout 60″–66″
- Side lights, apartabout 28″–40″
- Bar over the mirrorabout 75″–80″
Recessed downlights in plan
- Between lightsS, set by the beam
- Wall to first lightabout ½ S
- Over a counteron the front edge
Wall sconce
- Center of the fixture above the floorabout 60″–66″
- Along a halloften 8′–10′ apart
Bedside reading light
- Above the top of the mattressabout 24″–30″
- From the side of the headboarda few inches out
07
Choosing the right fixture
Starting points, not rules. Start from what the room needs.
- Need general room light?Recessed downlightFlush mountChandelierCove / integrated LED
- Need light over a work surface?PendantUnder-cabinetLinear suspendedTable lamp
- Need light at a bathroom mirror?Vanity light
- Need a visual focal point?ChandelierPendantPicture light
- Need to highlight art or architecture?Track lightingPicture lightCove / integrated LED
- Need light without a visible source?Recessed downlightCove / integrated LED
Dimensions shown are typical planning ranges drawn from manufacturer and lighting-industry guidance, not code requirements. Actual heights, spacing and sizes depend on the fixture, ceiling height, room and the people using it. Verify with the fixture manufacturer, and confirm electrical work and wet-location rules with your local building department.
Sources: ENERGY STAR bulb purchasing guide (lumens, color temperature); Lutron, How to Light Artwork (the 30° aiming angle); EC&M on NEC 410.10(D) (fixtures near tubs and showers); Quoizel and 1800Lighting (pendant and dining heights); Golden Lighting (vanity lights); Arteriors (sconce heights).
