Best Finish For Light Fixtures

Light fixtures come in several forms and can make a massive difference when planning your next lighting upgrade. But what is the best finish for light fixtures? We’ll take you through the essentials and help you pick out the best light fixtures that suit your home.

There are many forms of light fixtures, and picking the best finish for each material, type of light, fixture type, and decor style are critical when upgrading your lighting. Finding the right combinations to fill the space will make it radiate.

Understanding the types of light fixtures available is an important step before considering how to combine your lighting options.

Types of Light Fixtures & Finishes

Every home will have different lighting requirements, and for you to figure out which finish fits your style, you first need to familiarize yourself with the options available.

Metals

Metal finishes come in various categories, such as chrome and nickel, antique brass, black matte, and bronze. Their polished finishes will illuminate the room with understated colors and details.

Last update on 2023-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Woods/Natural Materials

Materials such as wood, stone, and other natural materials are great for homes with warm colors and fit well in casually decorated living rooms and other welcoming spaces. They add a visually interesting aesthetic and can blend in very well in outdoor spaces if you have a lot of plants or trees in the vicinity.

Last update on 2023-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Painted/Enamel

Painted and enameled light fixtures can match both ceiling and floor colors. They are especially popular in kitchens, offering a reflective surface that looks crisp when illuminated and draws attention from the eye. 

Typically, painted and enameled light fixtures will be black, white, and grey, but there are color options if that’s what your space requires.

Last update on 2023-09-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How To Find the Best Light Fixture Finish

Layer Light Types

The most important consideration is the way that you lay your lighting out. It can create dimensions, illuminate functions, and set a mood. More broadly, it adds versatility to the space. You must create layers for at least two ambient, task, and accent lighting. 

Control your layers separately, giving them the flexibility to fulfill various functions. Then ensure it fills the entire space and highlights the right parts of the room for your goals.

Avoid Overpacking

You shouldn’t spend too much time on layering, however. Don’t add too many things to a single room. There are many, many options out there for you. Trying to add too many finishes into a space causes discomfort and confusion. Pick out your favorites and ditch the rest for more cohesion.

Try Something New

Don’t buy new lighting fixtures similar to your current lighting scheme. You want to breathe new life into a room, create a new vibe and dramatically alter the room to make it feel better. Sticking to the same colors and materials will keep you from noticing any transformation.

Stick To A Focal Point

You ideally want a single focal point from your lighting fixtures. Something like a large pendant or chandelier that stands out and can become the center of attention with the right lighting. Or you can use lighting to draw attention to another element in the room, like an antique cabinet, a fireplace, or a painting.

But you have to ensure that your lighting, such as wall sconces, directs the eye towards that focal point rather than serve as distractions that draw the eye away.

Stay In (Close To) Your Comfort Zone

While you should be trying out new finishes for your light fixtures, you still need to be cautious of straying too far out of your comfort zone. The finishes on your light fixtures can and will transform the room entirely, and taking things in an entirely new direction could look out of place in a room.

Consider Other Rooms

You should consider your floor plan and consider the other rooms in your home when planning your lighting for each separate room. In traditional homes, lighting was uniform, blending from one room to the next.

However, you don’t necessarily have to blend every room. If you want each room to have a different “feel,” you can change it up, such as in children’s bedrooms or dens, for example.

Mix Tastefully

Never use more than four finishes in each room. Do it tastefully because even four is incredibly hard to do well, and a novice will certainly be unable to get it right. Search through Pinterest, Instagram, and other platforms for inspiration, identify which finish(es) will fit your space best, and don’t take it too far.

Function Over Form

This is one of the most important considerations to make. Don’t forget that the essential component of lighting is function. Your finishes aren’t the be-all and end-all. Your number one priority is the light itself. And it also defines how the space will be used. So, to choose the best finish for light fixtures, you must make sure that it serves a specific purpose and is pleasing to you.

Lighting Planning

Good lighting should make cooking, working, reading, or makeup easy. At the same time, it must highlight your home’s most beautiful features while creating a welcoming ambiance.

To plan out your lighting scheme, inspect your floor plan and map out where your lights need to be. Figure out which of your favorite light fixture finishes you want to use in specific places and work out whether than can blend with good flow. Or is a bedroom or study a stand-alone space? 

Use a different lighting scheme to visually announce that this room is a different part of the house. Or you can coordinate room styles to create a sense of cohesion and familiarity throughout the home.

Conclusion

Light fixtures are a great way to add an extra element to the illumination of any space in your home. They add colors and textures that complement and contrast your room’s decor. The subtle details can make a big difference and breathe new life into bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, dining rooms, and outdoor spaces. 

The right lighting can make entrance halls and passageways come to life, and light fixture finishing can perfectly accentuate them. So, once you’ve decided which materials to use and the best ways to mix and match, you can select the best finish for lights in any part of your home.