Wall Lights and Ceiling Lights That Complement Each Other
When incorporating different lighting fixtures into a room, it’s important to ensure that different styles match each other appropriately. Whether you’re adding wall lights, ceiling chandeliers or can fixtures, choosing a combination of wall and ceiling lights that match each other is crucial to creating an attractive and well-balanced interior aesthetic.
The hard part is knowing specifically which combinations of fixtures will work well together, which is why in this article, we’re giving our top tips on mixing and matching lighting fixtures the right way.
Layer Different Types of Light
With any interior lighting scheme, layering your lighting styles is vital to ensuring that your choices look both stylistic and intentional. Layered lighting is the foundation of every well-lit space, essential for creating dimension, providing illumination for task purposes and improving the versatility of your rooms.
When layering your wall and ceiling lights, aim to include at least two different types of fixture: ambient, task and/or accent. This will ensure that your lighting is well-balanced and looks great.
Decide on a Focal Point…
… and let your other lights fade into the background. A dazzling chandelier or elegant floor lamp can serve as an excellent, stylish and unique lighting focal point – that which draws the most attention.
Once you’ve decided on that point, be sure to incorporate other lighting fixtures that complement the focal piece rather than detract from it, such as wall lighting used to illuminate pieces of artwork or sconces to brighten up darker corners/alcoves.
Complementary color schemes can also help to ensure that focal pieces coordinate well with other fixtures. Using a beige lampshade on a central fixture and then incorporating the same-colored wall lights, for instance, will maintain consistency without drawing attention away from the focal point.
Mix Your Finishes Intentionally
The finish on each fixture provides color, playing an important role in how well your lighting sources match one another. Chrome finishes on your ceiling lights probably wouldn’t mix as well with gold-plated wall lights as they would with, say, white ones.
Carefully deciding on which color finishes complement each other the best will ensure that your fixtures blend well with one another. Mixing 2-3 finishes in one room can work to provide a stylish and contemporary aesthetic, but any more than that will often appear messy and unintentional.
Don’t Overdo It
When mixing different lighting styles together it can be very easy to overdo it. Adding too many different types of fixtures into the same room, however, can create confusion and often discomfort.
Instead of going over the top, aim to incorporate wall and ceiling lights that work together, starting simply with the essential fixtures you need for illumination. You might only need a single overhead chandelier and a couple of wall fixtures. Begin with the basics. Once they’re covered, then you can start adding other styles and experimenting, but if you want to avoid overdoing it, be sure to begin minimally and work your way up from there.
Consider Function and Illumination as Well as Aesthetic
You’re trying to make your home look nice, of course, but prioritizing aesthetic alone is a sure route to disaster. Indeed, appearance is a critical component of proper interior lighting, but considering the function and, most importantly, the intensity of the illumination of each fixture is also essential.
Adding a bright and dazzling central ceiling light might look great, but then going ahead and incorporating four high-lumen wall sconces around the room will probably provide far more light than you actually need.
It’s crucial that you consider illumination and function as well as general aesthetic. Doing so will ensure that you maximize both appearance and comfort.
A Note on Shape
While color and illumination are key players when it comes to making things work well, the shape of your fixtures is also an important feature to consider.
Selecting coordinating lighting fixtures depends partially upon the outline and form they take. Sharper, more angular shapes work well with others, while rounder fixtures work better when paired with shapes that lack jagged edges.
Be mindful of the shape of wall and ceiling fixtures, aiming to ensure that they match one another – even if only subtly.
Don’t be Afraid to Try Something New
Lastly, don’t be afraid to try new things when it comes to adding matching ceiling lights and wall lights. Of course, be sure not to add anything too crazy, but experimenting with your lighting styles is never a bad idea and will allow you to discover exactly what works for you.
Author Profile
- 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.
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