Semi Flush Ceiling Lights

What are Semi Flush Ceiling Lights?

Probably the first thing we should do is to kind of define just what semi flush ceiling lights are.  These fixtures mount to the ceiling and hang down so that there is a short space between the ceiling and the light fixture.  By not being mounted directly to the ceiling, the light from these types of fixtures is both direct and indirect (reflecting softly off of the ceiling).  Most semi flush ceiling lights have a rigid mount to the ceiling and the light fixture itself is between ten and twenty two inches from the ceiling.

Semi flush ceiling lights work very well in areas where you do not have room for a lower hanging light fixture.  Even with their typical small size they can still add a sense of formality to the decor of the room. They are popular in bathrooms and kitchens as well as bedrooms and

Semi Flush Ceiling Lights-Shades

hallways.  If your foyer doesn’t have room for a larger fixture then these can work very well there too.

Semi flush mount ceiling lights can be bought with either upward facing or downward facing shades. The upward will reflect more light from the ceiling and more ambient light. A downward facing shade will still provide some ambient light but is better suited to task lighting. Because they do hang from the ceiling, they are usually limited to ceiling heights of nine feet or less.

One  of the illusions you can accomplish with a semi flush ceiling light is that the ceiling is higher than it is. This is possible due to the light being reflected onto the ceiling as well as providing ambient light directly into the room too.

Available is just about any style you can imagine:

• Contemporary
• Modern
• Asian
• Artisan
• Glass

Probably the most popular style is the stained glass look. Also popular are the fixtures with smoked glass and frosted glass. There are some very simple fixtures with smooth glass and a minimum of metal trim too.

There are even semi flush ceiling lights with a nautical theme, wicker and even antler for a a really rustic look.

If you elect to use compact fluorescent bulbs then you may want to choose a fixture with a darker shade or dark glass to help conceal the shape of the CF bulb.

You can buy these fixtures with a single bulb, two bulbs or even more. If you find a fixture that you like but it has too many bulbs and you are worried that the light will be harsh, remember that you can always put lower wattage bulbs in the fixture to help ‘tone down’ the light. A word of caution here, the fixture are manufactured with a maximum bulb wattage rating. There will be a sticker on the base of the bulb socket in most cases. You should never attempt to get more light from a fixture by putting higher wattage bulbs than the recommended maximum.  If you need that much more light, you will be much safer buying a new fixture with either more bulbs or a higher wattage rating per bulb.

Look around and you will see a lot of places where semi flush ceiling lights will be the perfect solution to the decor and/or lighting requirements of the room, then you will be able to buy a semi flush ceiling light to perfectly complement the room.