The market is flooded with creative designs, innovative forms, and unique textures for hanging lights. We offer tips for homeowners to select the right one
Hanging lights play a key role when it comes to brightening up a home and adding visual appeal to the home décor. The market is flooded with hanging lights having creative designs, innovative forms, and unique textures.
What is a hanging light?
Hanging lights are not merely for illumination but are a focal point of décor. A hanging light – single hanging or a cluster of hanging lights – is a pendant light fixture that hangs from the ceiling with a cord, chain, or metal rod. Also called a drop or suspender, hanging lights are generally hung over the dining table, above the bed, over kitchen countertops, in the foyer, study, or and balcony, or over the artwork. A hanging light fixture brings the light to the exact area that needs to be illuminated, such as a table or an artwork, and works as task lighting.
Material of a hanging light
Today, there are a lot of choices in hanging lights materials. They are crafted in glass, crystal, metal, ceramic, bamboo, paper, etc., in different styles and shapes, including cylindrical, round, square, teardrop, cone, leaf, floral, tube, cage, diamond, star, etc.
Different types of hanging lights
Pendant lighting
A pendant light is attached to the ceiling and hangs down on a rod, cable, pipe, chain, or rope. Depending on the style of one’s home, one can hang it in a cluster or as a stand-alone light fixture. Down-light pendant lamps are used as task lights and inverted/up-light pendant lamps with glowing shades help in creating a pleasant ambiance.
Chandeliers
The sheer luxury that a chandelier exudes, can transform any home. Chandeliers are available in a variety of materials (crystals, glass, metal, etc.) and styles such as drum, waterfall, globe, linear, bowl, spiral, sputnik, etc. Candle-shaped chandeliers are the perfect option for people, who want traditional hanging lights in their homes.
Hanging lantern lights
Lanterns are attractive hanging lighting options that suit various budgets and home styles and can be used indoors, as well as outdoors. There are multiple ways in which you can hang a lantern on various nooks and hooks on both, walls and ceilings. Hanging decorative lanterns add appeal, provide drama, as well as effective task lighting. Simple and elegant, hanging lanterns can elevate the décor quotient of a space.
Sculptural hanging lights
A sculptural hanging light is all about a design trend that is beyond traditional lighting and doubles up as an art piece. Sculptural hanging lights can be made from marble, wood, ceramic, steel, and glass and can be geometric, floral, or in abstract shapes.
Track hanging lights
Track lighting can provide a lot of flexibility, as it has multiple bulbs on one track. This lighting is seen in modern kitchens and bathrooms. Some track lighting fixtures come with the option to adjust the direction for each bulb, which is ideal for the study desk. Earlier, these were used with spotlights but now, the structure of track lighting can hold many different types of lights. Track lights are meant for accent or task lighting since several individual lights hang from a track. One can either mount the track on the ceiling or suspend it from the ceiling, depending on the effect and height you want.
Crystal hanging lights
Hanging lights made of glistening crystals are available in a variety of designs that can change the look of your living room instantly. The brilliance of crystal works in most interior design schemes. By refracting the colors around, always brings a sophisticated touch to interior design schemes.
Ceiling fan lights
Today, decorative ceiling fans come with light options. The lights attached to a fan adds an elegant touch to the home interior. Ceiling fans with lights are designed with fantastic features like lampshades, carvings, pull cords, anti-rusting properties, and multiple LED color options. Apart from illuminating the entire area, it adds a unique allure.
Hanging fairy lights
Hanging fairy lights or string lights are not just for festivals, they can be used in a multitude of ways at home. Hang fairy lights from a hook screwed into the ceiling for a magical, sparkling effect. Use fairy lights on the wall as a gentle way to light up the kid’s bedroom, or as a night light for reading. Enhance the beauty of trees by hanging fairy lights. The latest LED lights offer features such as timers and remote controls, to create a warm, inviting, and functional atmosphere in your living space.
Wall hanging lights
Wall sconces are versatile fixtures that can be used in almost any room in the house. Nowadays one also gets scones that can be used as hanging lights. A wall-mounted scone is ideal as a reading light as its long arms can be adjusted for perfect lighting.
Metal hanging lights
Metal hanging lights made from brass, copper, or steel are gaining popularity. Available in various finishes, metals can look luxurious, glamorous or vintage, and also industrial. The glossy sheen of metal hanging lights adds brilliance to interiors. Metal lamps can add the right amount of bling to the interior space. Also, with the current interior trend focusing more on the fusion of contemporary and traditional, metal lights have become the obvious choice.
Bamboo hanging lights
Natural, eco-friendly materials are being used for hanging lights that create a vibrant accent at home. Bamboo, jute, and recycled glass bottles can be used in traditional, modern, and bohemian-themed homes for hanging lights.
Solar-powered hanging lights
Solar-powered hanging lights, popularly known as solar lanterns, are the best options for those looking for inexpensive, energy-efficient lights. Solar hanging lights are popular for the garden, pool area, porches, and other outdoor areas.
Dos and don’ts for hanging lamps in your house
Plan your room’s illumination and create a lighting plan, including ambient, task, and accent lighting. The lighting should come from many sources, rather than one main light, to give the room warmth and segregate areas for working and relaxing.
Before buying hanging lights, visualize if the chandelier and lamps match the space and add to the overall appeal of the home. Some decorative fixtures might be designed more for aesthetics (e.g., use of low-wattage decorative vintage bulbs) rather than to illuminate the room.
Hanging lights have to be secured properly so that they do not fall and hurt someone. Use good quality support that can hold the weight of the light.
Smart hanging lights with dimmers can boost the décor. In addition, the dimmer feature provides energy saving by reducing the electric load of a light fixture.
Hanging lights should be at least eight ft above the floor and three ft above the table. When selecting a hanging light, know the length of the chain or rods supplied with the fixture.
Hanging lights for the dining table should be aligned with the center of the table.
When selecting hanging lights, always check the specifications, such as light output, power consumption and the color (white, warm, yellow, etc.), and the intensity of the light. Also, the color of the shade covering the light bulb impacts the light output.
Always choose a hanging light fixture that reflects your home’s style. Contemporary hanging ceiling lights over a classic dining table may not be as suitable to the room as a regal chandelier.
Bulbs in suspended fixtures should be sheltered from view to reduce glare. So, carefully adjust the height of the fixture.
Tips for hanging lights in each room
- For hanging lights for the living room, opt for a chandelier, pendant lights, or a fancy ceiling fan with light, depending on the theme of the room. These lend an inviting vibe to space.
- To create a romantic atmosphere with hanging lights for the bedroom, hang a small chandelier above the bed or have fancy lanterns or wall sconces on both sides of the bed.
- Hanging kitchen lights, such as pendant lights, are the best to provide ambient and task lighting over the kitchen island or breakfast counter.
- Hanging pendant lights or wall sconces can be used in a bathroom but place them away from water showers.
- Bathrooms can be used for various functions, like shaving or applying make-up. So, select specific hanging lights that focus on the task area. When hanging lights in a bathroom around the mirror, ensure that there is no glare or shadow.
- Hang one or more mini pendants, modern lanterns, or wall sconces over a study table area.
- Outdoor hanging lights should be waterproof.
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