Top Questions About Ceiling Lights
Here are some of the top questions we get asked here at Lamps Plus about ceiling lights!
How do I choose the best ceiling light for my room?
There are a few factors to keep in mind when picking out ceiling lights for your room, such as the size of the room and how much ceiling space you have available. There are a variety of small, medium, and large ceiling lights available in variety of styles to fit any room. For more information, check out our close-to-ceiling light buying guide here.
But picking out the right style and color scheme is just as important! You should choose a light that will produce adequate illumination for the room, considering if the room has other sources of light as well. To help you pick the right style of ceiling light, Lamps Plus also has a handy guide available here.
Where is the best place in a room to install a ceiling light?
Generally, the optimal place for a ceiling light is in the center of the room. However, the positioning is up to you and should be based on the best place to provide illumination. Also, consider if you will be using the light for general lighting, or something more specific. For example, for a home office you might place a brighter ceiling light directly over your desk.
Also, if you choose to go with recessed lighting, you might evenly place multiple recessed light cans across your ceiling to best spread illumination. Track lighting can also be placed in several different locations depending on the size of the room and how many tracks you are using.
Browse our complete collection of ceiling lights here.
What is track lighting?
Track lighting is a style of ceiling light fixture where multiple bulbs are attached to one “track” along the ceiling. The tracks can come in a variety of colors and styles, from straight lines to curving artistic pieces. It is normally used for task or art lighting as one benefit of using track lighting is the adjustable bulbs. Each bulb is housed in a “track head” that hangs from the track. These track heads are usually able to be adjusted to point in various direction and at different angles.
Browse our complete collection of track lighting fixtures here.
What is recessed lighting?
Recessed lighting refers to a type of ceiling light which, instead of being mounted on your ceiling, is actually housed within. Cans are inserted into your ceiling, leaving an opening visible flush with the ceiling. Bulbs are then screwed in to shine light down. Recessed lighting has been growing in popularity, especially in more modern style homes, as it focuses on light and function. Recessed lighting works especially well in multiples, rather than a single ceiling light for a room.
Browse our complete collection of recessed lighting fixtures here.
How do I install a ceiling light?
The majority of ceiling lights are hardwired, including track and recessed lighting fixtures. We generally do not recommend that you attempt to install or wire a ceiling light; unless you are an electrician, of course. To install your ceiling lights, contact a local licensed electrician in your area.
How do bugs get inside ceiling lights?
Many ceiling lights come with a built-in exhaust hole, as well as a hole for the wires to exit the fixture. As most lights give off heat, insects may be naturally attracted to the light and enter the fixture. Once there, they can become trapped. Removing them is easy enough. Simply unscrew or remove the glass and give your light a good cleaning!
What do I do if a ceiling light is stuck and I can’t unscrew it?
One of the most common problems with flush-mount ceiling lights, and lights where the bulbs are housed behind enclosed glass shades, is what happens when those shades get stuck. This can be a common issue on fixtures where the glass screws directly onto the fixture without hardware. This is especially troublesome when a bulb needs to be replaced, but you are having trouble accessing it.
Start by ensuring that your hands are dry, clean, and cool. Using both hands, find a firm grip on either side of the shade and twist it the proper direction, pushing up slightly to help unhook the screws. If the shade still remains stuck, take turns with another person, or do not use the light for a day or so to allow the metal and glass to cool.
What do I do if my ceiling light is making a “humming” or “sizzling” sound?
If you hear strange noises coming from your ceiling light, such as a “humming” or “sizzling” sound, it is likely one of two possibilities. The first has to do with how some LED bulbs operate in ceiling fixtures not specifically constructed for using LED bulbs. While the humming sound may be inconvenient, it is does not mean there is an issue with the light!
If your ceiling light is making a sound more akin to “sizzling,” we recommend contacting an electrician immediately after turning the light off and removing the bulb. It is possible that an issue with the wiring could be the root cause.
For more information about LED ceiling lights, check out our article on the subject here.
More Ceiling Lights Ideas and Advice
Explore more questions about ceiling lights with the links below, or browse our complete collection of ceiling lights here.
How to Buy Close To Ceiling Lights