Matching Floor And Ceiling Lights

How To Choose Matching Floor and Ceiling Lights

Key Takeaways

• Match finishes between floor and ceiling lights for a pulled-together look.
• Use floor lamps for task lighting and ceiling fixtures for general room illumination.
• Allow 130-180cm height for floor lamps in most rooms.
• Choose fixtures from the same collection to match your lights exactly.
• Layer your lighting with both types of floor and ceiling to create different moods.

Why Do Floor and Ceiling Lights Need to Match?

When choosing lights for your home, matching floor and ceiling fixtures creates a better overall look. Here's why we recommend coordinating these lights:

• They create a more finished, planned look in your room.
• They provide different types of light, such as ceilings for overall brightness and floor lamps for specific tasks.
• You can switch between them to change the mood or for different activities. For example, in the evening, you may wish to have only floor lamps on for a general low mood lighting.
• They work together to eliminate dark corners and shadows.

Which Types of Light Fixtures Work Best Together?

We recommend these popular combinations that work well in most homes:

Pendant Lights with Floor Lamps

This pairing works exceptionally well in living rooms and dining areas:

• Choose pendants and floor lamps with similar metal finishes.
• Match the shade shapes or materials for a coordinated look.
• Keep proportions balanced - larger pendants pair with substantial floor lamps.
• Position floor lamps in corners or beside seating areas.

Chandeliers with Floor Lamps

For more traditional or formal spaces, we suggest:

• Match the metal finish of your chandelier to your floor lamp base.
• Look for similar design elements like crystal accents or curved arms.
• Place floor lamps away from the chandelier to spread light evenly.
• Consider dimmer controls for both to create flexible lighting. Some floor lighting is not dimmable. However, you can use smart light bulbs instead to enable dimming, as they are usually controlled through an APP.

How To Choose Materials That Work Together

Picking the right materials helps your lights look like they belong together. We recommend considering:

Metal Finishes

The metal parts of your lights set the overall style:

• Brushed nickel works in most modern and traditional homes.
• Brass adds warmth and pairs nicely with wood furniture.
• Black metal creates a bolder look in contemporary spaces.
• Chrome brings a bright, reflective quality that works in modern rooms.

Shade Materials

The lampshades affect both light quality and style:

• Fabric shades create softer, diffused light suitable for living areas.
• Glass shades offer more transparent light output for task-oriented spaces.
• Match shade colours between floor and ceiling lights for a coordinated look, even if the base doesn't match fully.
• Similar shade shapes help tie different fixtures together.

Where To Put Your Floor and Ceiling Lights

Your lights' placement affects how they look and how well they work. For best results:

Living Room Placement

• Centre ceiling lights over the main seating area or centrally within the room.
• Place floor lamps beside sofas or chairs where people read.
• Keep at least a 1.5-2m distance between floor and ceiling lights, which helps ensure you get the most out of the light output within the room.
• Use both types to eliminate shadows and dark corners.
• If you already have matching table and floor lamps check to see if the range you bought has a matching ceiling light.

Bedroom Placement

• Install ceiling lights near the room's centre.
• Position floor lamps beside reading chairs or near dressers.
• Keep floor lamps out of main walking paths.
• Allow at least 70cm between a floor lamp and your bed.

Dining Area Placement

• Hang ceiling lights centred over the dining table or the centre of your dining room. You can also use ceiling lights in pairs if you have more than one electrical point in your ceiling.
• Position floor lamps in nearby corners for additional light
• Keep floor lamps away from chairs that move frequently
• Maintain 75-90cm clearance between the table edge and any floor lamp.

The 2 Best Room Types for Matching Floor and Ceiling Lights

Some spaces benefit more than others from coordinated lighting. We recommend focusing on:

Living Rooms

The living room typically needs the most varied lighting. We suggest:

• Pairing a statement ceiling fixture with complementary floor lamps.
• Positioning floor lamps near seating areas for reading.
• Using both light types to create different moods for entertaining or relaxing.

Master Bedrooms

A well-lit bedroom needs both ambient and task lighting:

• Install a central ceiling fixture for general lighting with the room..
• Add floor lamps near dressing areas or reading nooks.
• Choose softer light for a relaxing bedroom atmosphere.
• We also recommend using matching ceiling and table lamps if you do not have enough space for a floor lamp.

How To Install Floor and Ceiling Lights Safely

Proper installation ensures your lights work well and look their best. We recommend:

For Ceiling Lights

• Turn off the power at the circuit breaker at the fuse box before starting.
• Check the weight limits of ceiling frames before hanging heavy fixtures.
• Use proper mounting hardware rated for your fixture's weight. Fixing brackets are usually included in the box but further support might be necessary.
• Hire an electrician if you're unsure about wiring connections.

For Floor Lamps

• Place on level surfaces to prevent tipping.
• Route cords away from walkways to prevent tripping.
• Check that lampshades are securely attached.
• Use light bulbs that don't exceed the fixture's maximum wattage.
• Most floor lamps come assembled but others will require assembly.

How To Maintain Your Lights

Regular care keeps your lights looking good and working well:

• Dust both ceiling and floor lights weekly with a soft cloth.
• Clean glass shades monthly with glass cleaner.
• Wipe metal parts with appropriate cleaners for the finish.
• Check and tighten any loose parts regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do floor and ceiling lights need to match exactly?

No, they don't need to match exactly. We recommend matching the finish, shade style, or overall design theme. Keeping one element consistent helps create a pulled-together look while allowing for variety.

How tall should floor lamps be?

Most floor lamps should be 130-180cm tall. We recommend choosing heights based on their use - taller lamps (165-180cm) work well for overall lighting, while shorter lamps (130-165cm) are better for reading beside seating.

Should all my light fixtures be the same colour?

No, they don't all need to be the same colour, but we recommend maintaining consistency. Choose one main finish (like brass or black) for larger fixtures, then you can mix in one additional accent finish. The key is to make the mix look intentional rather than random. Matching all metal finishes is the safest approach, but mixing can add more visual interest when done thoughtfully.

How to mix and match lighting in an open floor plan?

We recommend lighting in open floor plans to define different zones while maintaining a cohesive interior plan for your lighting. Keep ceiling fixtures in the same finish family throughout the space, but vary the styles to suit each area's function. Use floor lamps to create intimate seating areas, and ensure fixtures are scaled appropriately for ceiling height. Choose a consistent colour temperature for all bulbs to tie the lighting together.

Can I use LED bulbs in both fixture types?

Yes, you should use LED bulbs in both floor and ceiling lights. Choose the same colour temperature (we suggest 2700K for warm light or 3000K for slightly crisper light) to ensure the lighting looks consistent throughout your room.