Types of Lighting Fixtures
Lighting installations come in a wide variety of shapes and functions, from clean-lined recessed lighting to ornate chandeliers, flexible track systems, and wall-mounted sconces. Each style adds its own design impact and functional benefit, allowing you to shape a space that feels intentional and complete. When used together, different fixture types help define lighting zones, boost comfort, and support your design goals.
Beyond visual style, fixture selection influences performance, energy efficiency, and task support. A chandelier or pendant can anchor a dining room. Under-cabinet lighting improves visibility and safety in the kitchen. Exterior solutions increase security while improving the home’s appearance. Knowing the role each fixture plays makes it easier to create rooms that look beautiful and work as intended.
Central Pendant Light
A centrally placed pendant fixture acts as both a visual centerpiece and a source of general illumination. It adds personality to the room while providing broad, balanced light coverage.
Cove Lighting
Hidden lighting installed along the edges of the ceiling creates a subtle glow that spreads gently across the room. This indirect illumination softens the environment and adds architectural depth.
Wall Sconces
Slim sconces placed beside wall décor introduce soft accent lighting that highlights specific design features. They enhance vertical lines and help draw the eye toward artwork or architectural elements.
Recessed Downlights
Circular fixtures embedded into the ceiling deliver clean, consistent light throughout the space. They maintain an uncluttered ceiling line and are ideal for layered lighting schemes.
Flush Mount Fixtures
These lights are installed close to the ceiling and work especially well in rooms with lower ceiling heights. They distribute general light across the room and keep the space feeling open and clean.
Surface-Mounted Downlights
Installed directly on the ceiling surface, these fixtures offer focused illumination without requiring recessed housing. Their clean design suits both residential and commercial settings, and they’re ideal when ceiling depth is limited.
Recessed Lighting
Tucked neatly within the ceiling, recessed lights provide smooth, widespread lighting without drawing attention to themselves. They’re often used for ambient light but pair well with task or accent fixtures to build a layered lighting design.
Pendant Lights
Suspended from a ceiling canopy, pendant lights are decorative and functional. They add interest to spaces like kitchen islands and entryways, and their wide range of designs, such as bold industrial forms or refined glass, lets them serve both as lighting and as a design feature.
Chandeliers
Chandeliers instantly create a sense of elegance. Whether traditional with detailed ornamentation or more contemporary in design, they fill a room with both light and character, often becoming the centerpiece of formal spaces.
Track Lighting
Track systems give you the flexibility to adjust each fixture head to focus light exactly where it's needed. They're popular in creative spaces, galleries, and homes that benefit from adaptable lighting options.
Linear LED Panels
These slim, energy-efficient panels provide bright, even illumination over a wide area. Their clean lines and modern appeal make them a strong fit for offices, open-plan interiors, and minimalist designs.
Wall Sconces
Wall sconces offer a flexible lighting option that can serve ambient, accent, or task purposes depending on placement and design. From traditional candle-inspired styles to modern minimalist forms, they add depth and a welcoming glow to spaces like hallways, bedrooms, and living areas.
Swing-Arm Sconces
These adjustable fixtures provide targeted illumination while saving surface space. With a pivoting head and extendable arm, swing-arm sconces are ideal for reading nooks, desks, or bedside applications where repositionable light makes daily tasks more comfortable.
Picture Lights
Designed to highlight artwork or photographs, picture lights emit a gentle, focused beam that enhances visual details without overpowering the display. Available in understated or decorative styles, they can complement the frame or act as a design feature on their own.
Decorative Accent Fixtures
Accent lights mounted on the wall can double as functional art. These unique fixtures may feature sculptural forms, artisanal finishes, or playful patterns that enhance your interior style and create a more expressive environment.
Floor Lamps
Floor lamps contribute both illumination and visual structure. Whether clean-lined and modern or classically styled, they add height and character while casting soft ambient or accent light into the room.
Reading Lamps
Purpose-built for focus, reading lamps are compact and directional. Many feature swivel heads or flexible arms so you can adjust them as needed. They're ideal beside a chair or tucked into a quiet corner for uninterrupted reading.
Desk Lamp
Desk lamps are a practical addition to workspaces where focused light is essential. Features like adjustable arms, dimmers, and color temperature controls support productivity and help reduce eye strain during long hours at a screen or drawing table.
Table Lamps
Compact and versatile, table lamps offer both mood and function. Positioned on nightstands, consoles, or side tables, they cast a warm, localized glow while adding another layer of style through their base and shade designs.
Under-Cabinet Lighting
Ideal for kitchens, offices, and workstations, under-cabinet lighting improves visibility and eliminates shadows on countertops. These fixtures make prep work easier while contributing to the overall ambiance of the space.
Cove Lighting
Installed near the ceiling in recessed channels or behind trim details, cove lighting casts an indirect glow that enhances architectural elements and softens the feel of a room. It adds atmosphere without creating harsh contrasts, making it a favorite in living rooms and bedrooms.
In-Wall or Niche Lighting
Lighting built into wall recesses or architectural niches draws attention to bookshelves, display alcoves, or featured artwork. These fixtures help spotlight design details while maintaining a clean visual line.
Porch and Entryway Lights
The right outdoor solutions at the front door make a strong first impression and improve safety. Choose fixtures that align with your home’s architecture and are made from durable, weather-resistant materials. Features like motion sensors and dusk-to-dawn settings enhance convenience.
Landscape Lighting
By highlighting walkways, planting beds, and architectural features, landscape lighting brings depth and visual interest to your outdoor space. Mixing fixture types, such as pathway lights, uplights, and spotlights, creates a layered effect that adds both beauty and security.
Security Floodlights
These high-output fixtures are positioned around garages, driveways, or side yards to eliminate dark areas and improve safety. Many models include motion sensors and customizable timers, giving you more control over when and how they operate.
Garage and Driveway Lights
Lighting around the garage supports both function and curb appeal. These fixtures illuminate the driveway and garage entry, helping prevent accidents while giving the exterior a polished look. Choose energy-efficient LED options and consider smart control features for added versatility.
15° Beam Angle
Creates a highly focused spotlight.
Ideal for highlighting art, sculptures, or architectural accents.
30° Beam Angle
Provides tighter coverage for task-oriented areas.
Works well in kitchens, offices, or workstations where visual clarity matters.
45° Beam Angle
Offers a balanced light spread.
Suitable for shared spaces like dining rooms or living areas where general brightness and visual comfort are both important.
60° Beam Angle and Higher
Distributes a wide, soft glow across open areas.
Recommended for bedrooms, hallways, and larger rooms that benefit from even ambient light.
Recessed Downlights
Beam angle plays a key role in shaping how recessed downlights perform within a space. A narrow 15° beam creates an intense, focused point of light, ideal for highlighting specific features like artwork or textured wall surfaces. For more practical task lighting, a 30° beam produces a tighter wash that enhances visibility at countertops and desks. A 45° beam delivers a broader spread, bridging the gap between ambient and task lighting and working well in areas like dining rooms or gathering spaces. In bedrooms and hallways, a 60° beam or wider offers a smooth, even glow across larger zones, contributing to a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Considerations like ceiling height, room size, and the intended function of the space help determine which beam angle delivers the best outcome. These choices give you greater control over the overall lighting environment in your home.
See Only the Light
Modern recessed downlights are engineered to disappear into the ceiling, leaving behind clean, uninterrupted lines. With hidden housings, remote drivers, and carefully shaped reflectors, the fixture itself stays out of view. This approach allows the architecture to shine, while the light quality remains consistent and refined across the entire space.
Lighting with Intention
The impact of good lighting extends beyond visibility. In a bathroom, for instance, layered lighting with diffused vanity lighting and wall-mounted sconces helps reduce glare and shadows. Color temperature also matters, with options in the 3500K to 4100K range offering clarity without feeling too cold. These details contribute to an environment that feels more balanced, calming, and user-friendly for daily routines like grooming or winding down before bed.
How Lighting Shapes a Layered Lighting Plan
Creating a well-lit space requires more than a single light source. A layered design blends ambient, task, and accent lighting to build an environment that feels purposeful and comfortable. The right fixtures support this blend by controlling how light moves and how each area is experienced.
Recessed fixtures provide clean, general illumination that disappears into the ceiling. Pendant and under-cabinet lights add focused beams for specific activities. Track lights, wall sconces, and other architectural elements help define focal points and soften transitions between lighting zones. Many modern solutions also include adjustable brightness, smart control compatibility, and energy-efficient LED options to improve flexibility and control. Each contributes to a balanced, customized lighting design that fits both the space and its purpose.
Direct Ambient Lighting
Light shines downward from fixtures like recessed cans, flush-mounts, or downward-facing pendants. This setup is ideal for offices, living rooms, or work areas that require clear, consistent illumination.
Indirect Ambient Lighting
Light reflects off ceilings or walls to produce a soft, diffused effect. Cove lighting, uplights, or valance fixtures are often used to reduce glare and promote a calming atmosphere in bedrooms or hospitality settings.
Mixed Ambient Lighting
A combination of direct and indirect sources brings flexibility and balance. Using recessed lighting along with wall-mounted uplights or cove lighting helps layer brightness and reduce harsh transitions. This approach is well-suited to open floor plans or rooms that serve multiple purposes.
Perimeter / Wall Wash Ambient
Fixtures positioned near the ceiling direct light down the walls to make a room feel larger and more open. Wall-wash lighting is especially effective at accentuating texture or drawing focus to architectural surfaces.
Spot / Pinpoint Lighting
Narrow beams focus on specific details like sculptures, artwork, or decorative displays. Adjustable track lighting, under-shelf LEDs, and recessed spotlights help isolate these focal points without lighting the entire space.
Wall Washing
A broad, even beam spreads across a wall, enhancing color, texture, or finishes. This technique requires precise placement of fixtures to avoid shadows and create a smooth effect over a large surface.
Grazing
By placing light close to a textured surface, grazing accentuates shadows and contrast. Stone walls, brick, and wood panels gain depth and visual impact using this technique.
Backlighting / Back Glow
Light is installed behind an object to create a glowing silhouette. Common applications include LED strips behind mirrors, floating vanities, or signage to add depth and a modern touch.
Localized / Focused Task Lighting
These solutions deliver direct, intense light to small areas. Desk lamps, pendants over islands, and under-cabinet lighting are practical solutions for spaces where clarity is essential.
Linear / Strip Task Lighting
Slim LED strips installed beneath cabinets, shelves, or display cases provide even, shadow-free light. They're commonly used in kitchens, retail, or workspaces that benefit from consistent brightness.
Portable / Adjustable Task Lighting
Clip-on lights, battery-powered lamps, and swing-arm designs offer repositionable solutions for changing needs. These fixtures support flexible setups in home offices, bedrooms, or hobby zones.
Integrated Task Modules
Built directly into cabinetry, shelving, or furniture, these discreet fixtures create lighting exactly where it’s needed. Examples include illuminated closet rods or under-shelf lighting in built-in units.
Security Lighting
Combining task and ambient functions, these types of lighting help prevent intrusions and improve visibility. Floodlights with motion sensors or perimeter lighting near garages and pathways offer effective coverage while conserving energy.
Landscape/Outdoor Lighting
Designed to enhance beauty and safety, outdoor lighting highlights gardens, paths, and architectural features. Uplights for trees, accent lights for water features, and low-voltage path lighting work together to create a welcoming and layered nighttime environment.
Decorative Lighting
While Wipliance is not a main dealer for decorative fixtures, we design systems that support them. Chandeliers, pendants, and statement sconces can be seamlessly integrated into your control system and lighting design, ensuring both beauty and function work together.
More Than Just Lighting
Lighting doesn’t only impact visibility. It affects how we feel, think, and function. Human-centric lighting systems are designed with this in mind, using tunable white LEDs that shift in color temperature and intensity throughout the day. This approach helps mirror natural daylight patterns and better support our biological rhythms.
Cooler, brighter light in the morning and early afternoon can promote alertness and focus. As the day winds down, warmer, dimmer tones help encourage rest by supporting healthy melatonin levels. Dimmable controls make it easy to fine-tune this balance for specific tasks, moods, or personal preferences.
Today’s premium fixtures also offer enhanced visual comfort with low-glare optics, high CRI ratings, and flicker-free operation. Paired with sensors, automation, and smart home integration, these systems adjust based on occupancy, daylight, and circadian needs, creating spaces that support health, comfort, and daily performance.
Our Lighting Gallery
Explore a curated gallery of lighting ideas that blend form and function. Hover over each image to see how different solutions work within a space, spark inspiration, and solve unique lighting challenges.
Only the Highest-Quality Fixtures
We work exclusively with manufacturers known for quality, innovation, and performance. Their lighting products are designed for consistency, color accuracy, and energy efficiency, backed by robust testing to ensure long-term reliability.
Our selection includes lighting with intuitive dimming, smart control compatibility, and modern styling that supports a variety of applications. These features not only simplify daily use, but also enhance the comfort, mood, and atmosphere of every space they illuminate. Each fixture is chosen for its ability to deliver both beauty and performance without compromise.
Inventors of the solid-state dimmer in 1959 and now holders of 2,700 worldwide patents, Lutron has expanded their product offering to more than 15,000 products. Lutron makes it possible to craft the perfect atmosphere at home or in the workplace to complement your day-to-night activities with personalized lighting and shading control for enhanced comfort and productivity. Recall your favorite settings from a master keypad or remote to easily transform your environment with just a tap or set your lights and shades to adjust on their own so you can focus on the activity at hand. From the workplace to the home, Lutron provides sophisticated solutions for custom lighting and shading that operate seamlessly at your command.
WAC Lighting has been elevating lighting systems for over 35 years with cutting-edge LED lighting technology solutions like decorative lighting, landscape lighting, and architectural products for commercial, residential, and hospitality spaces. Integrate your beautiful and convenient lighting fixtures into your smart home technology ecosystem to easily control all your devices from a centralized interface. Discover the possibilities that WAC Lighting will bring to your home.
