10 Do’s and Don’ts of Mixing and Matching Lighting

Lighting does more than brighten your house; it helps create a beautiful and welcoming space to relax and spend your time. If you are considering whether you want to have matching wall and ceiling lights or whether you want to mix different styles together. Remember that coordination is essential when mixing materials, finishes, lighting, fixtures, and styles. Express your creativity as much as you can, but there are some dos and don’ts you must observe.

Table of Contents

Black Glass Pendant Light Mixed With A Black Floor Lamp - SOR0110 — Soren pendant mixed with a black floor lamp –

Here are the don’ts:

1. Don’t bombard a room with too many designs. You might be tempted to use too many styles in one room due to the many options available. Do not yield as less is more. You can choose ceiling and wall light sets, for example, to keep things simple and a uniform style. Consider the list of choices available to you and pick the best fit.

2. Don’t be rigid. Don’t narrow your lighting option to what you have used before. Be experimental. Try out new designs and see how it turns out.

3. Don’t go out of your way in choosing light fixtures. Pick what works for you while considering the space, use, and budget. The most important thing to consider when choosing light fixtures is if they serve their purpose. If you are not sure whether your chosen light fitting will be suitable, consult your electrician or supplier.

4. Avoid monotone. Matching lighting sometimes holds less appeal than complementing it with other designs. You do not necessarily have to select a matching wall light and ceiling light set however this sometimes does suit minimalist styles or when you have a design you wish to stick to.

5. Don’t be all for the looks. You do not want to purchase a light fixture because of its aesthetics only to realise that it doesn’t serve its primary purpose. Make sure that a light fixture can perform the functions for which you have purchased it. Different types of lighting perform various functions. While ambient lighting can substitute natural light, task lighting is used for more specific purposes like reading. Accent lighting plays more of an aesthetic role. Also, consider its quality. Avoid lights which only work with halogen light bulbs or do not come with a warranty.

Onika Industrial Style Pendant Mixed With Jake Industrial floor and table lamp — ONI0575 Ceiling light matched with Jake floor and table lamps

Here are the dos:

1.Start with a plan: Here, you decide what style you want, whether a commercial, country, contemporary, mission, etc. Consider the characteristics, including colour, finishing, and material. Some of the things you need to watch out for are:

2. Colour Finish:Do not mistake a satin nickel for a chrome finish. Pay close attention to blacks as they may not be precisely black, but oil-rubbed bronze, or black chrome which has a mirrored effect. The Colour finish or sheen on the metalwork has to match as this will look inconsistent.

3. Choose cohesive fixtures. In other words, the shape of your room might dictate the design.

4.Choose coordinating light fixtures throughout, especially in an open floor plan. You don’t have to match all the lighting fixtures in your home. Nonetheless, stick with one plan. However, you might want to consider matching lamps and ceiling lights. A combination of different styles might lead to confusion. Have an overall feel for the whole house. You can use different colours, shapes, styles, materials, and other details. By implication, all fixtures shouldn’t look the same but share standard features.

5.Create a focus and keep it. Remember that the primary purpose of matching and mixing light fixtures is design. Bold and silent light fixtures should complement each other. Use bold designs sparingly to keep them in focus. They draw attention and give first impressions to whoever enters the room. Therefore, don’t let anything compete for attention. Instead, complement the bold lighting with more minimalistic floor and table lighting.

Oleana Glass Table Lamp Mixed With Chrome Ceiling Light — OLE4250 Table lamp matched with chrome ceiling light

Conclusion

Light fixtures can be the missing piece your home needs to accentuate its beauty and become a warm space to live in. Mixing and matching them is a piece of cake if you follow the simple rules. If are not confident with mixing your lighting we would always recommend using ceiling and wall light sets from the same product family.

Author Profile

Adam Malvern

Adam is an in-house technical writer for Scotlight Direct, a website dedicated to providing the latest and most accurate information on lighting topics. With a passion for writing and a deep understanding of various lighting concepts and designs. Adam has been a valuable asset to the team since joining in 2019.