Types of Lighting Fixtures

Once you've selected what you want to light, you'll have to decide how you're going to light it. A Wolfers showroom is the best place to view the many different styles, sizes and shapes of light fixtures that are available to deliver the general lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting you need. Here are some examples to consider:

Hall/foyer light fixtures create a congenial atmosphere, while providing you with the general lighting you need to greet guests and assure safe passage into other areas of your home. Use ceiling lighting, chain-hung lights, or close-to-ceiling light fixtures in hallways, stairways, and entranceways.
Chandeliers add sparkle and style to your dining room while giving you the general lighting you need for dining and entertaining. They are also used in bedrooms, foyers, or over a living room grouping or a grand piano. Some are designed with downlights to provide task lighting for homework or table games, or to accent table settings. Chandeliers are available with both incandescent light bulbs and tungsten-halogen light bulbs. The addition of a dimmer control lets you alter the intensity of light to suit the mood and activity.
Pendants provide both task lighting and general lighting. Equipped with shades or globes to avoid glare, they are suspended from the ceiling over dinette tables, game tables, kitchen counters, or other work areas. When used over end or night tables, pendants free up the space occupied by table lamps. The use of a dimmer control gives you the flexibility to vary the light to suit the occasion.
Ceiling light fixtures provide general lighting. They are practical in busy areas such as foyers, hallways, bedrooms, kitchens, baths, laundry rooms, playrooms, and dens. They are available with incandescent light bulbs, fluorescent light bulbs, and energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs (see light sources).
Wall lighting furnishes general, task, and accent lighting. Many wall-mounted light fixtures are designed to match and supplement dining room chandeliers, or to provide hallway, bedroom, or living room lighting. Wall brackets are often used for task lighting at the bathroom mirror. Wall-mounted light fixtures are available with a choice of incandescent light bulbs, tungsten-halogen light bulbs, and energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.
Bath/vanity lighting strips supply task lighting while supplementing the general lighting provided by ceiling light fixtures. Similar to the lighting in theater dressing rooms, these softly glowing strips of globe-shaped incandescent bulbs provide excellent lighting for applying makeup, shaving, and grooming.
Portable lamps deliver general, task, and accent lighting while giving you the flexibility to move the light whenever you want. Table lamps, floor lamps, and torchiers are available in a variety of styles to complement your decor. Small specialty lamps, such as clip-on lights, uplight cans, adjustable task lights, mini-reflector spotlights, desk lamps and piano lamps fill a variety of task and accent light needs. These lamps are available with incandescent light bulbs, tungsten-halogen light bulbs, and energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.
Track lighting provides general, task, or accent lighting all at once in one flexible lighting system. You can move, swivel, rotate, and aim the individual light fixtures in any direction along the track, giving you the versatility to change your lighting scheme when the need arises. You can also hang chandeliers and pendants from the track. Track fixtures are available in standard or low-voltage current, with a choice of incandescent light bulbs, tungsten-halogen light bulbs, and energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.
Recessed lighting provides general, task, or accent lighting inconspicuously. Installed in the ceiling with only the trim showing, recessed light fixtures can be used anywhere for home lighting, including outdoors under eaves. They are ideal for low-ceiling areas, and with a special adapter they can also be used in cathedral ceilings. They are available as downlights, adjustable accent lights, and wall washers in both standard and low-voltage current, with a choice of incandescent light bulbs, tungsten-halogen light bulbs, and energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs.
Under-cabinet/under-shelf lighting offer both task and accent lighting. Under kitchen cabinets, they light a countertop. In a display cabinet, they show off prized possessions. Under-cabinet lights are used in kitchens, workshops or anywhere you need lighting right at hand. They include slim, energy-efficient fluorescents, miniature track lighting, and strips of low-voltage mini-lights.⁹
Monorail track lighting provides a number of advantages. First, it allows the ability to choose smaller lighting elements. Also, most monorail track lighting is low- voltage so there is the opportunity to save energy by using halogen lamps that give more light per watt than incandescent light bulbs. They are also extremely flexible so elements can be moved or added in the future. This gives you the ability to customize your own lighting system by adjusting height, determining length of rail and capability of bending and shaping rail. Finally, the use of monorail track lighting can create a functional lighting system using directional heads and striking glass pendants to go over counters or tables.

Keep in mind that energy-efficient versions of these light fixtures save energy, last longer, and still provide the desired effect.

For more information on lighting fixtures, schedule an appointment with a Wolfers lighting expert.