Different Types Of Lightings For Hallways
When lighting, you should have some basic knowledge about different light fixtures to use in your hallways. Here is the light fixture to light up your hallway:
LED strip lights: If you want to bring a modern outlook to your hallway, LED strips are your best option. These tape-like light fixtures are flexible and versatile to use in your hallway. You can use these strips for cove lighting and floor or staircase lighting. Besides, they are available in different colors and effects. So, choose the one that suits your taste.
Semi-flush mount lights: These suspended downlights leave a small gap between the ceiling and the fixture. They are small and basic in design. If you have a small or narrow hallway and want something moderate yet classy, semi-flush mount lights would be excellent.
Decorative flush mount lights: In design, they are very similar to chandelier lighting. Unlike hanging chandeliers, these lights are attached to the ceiling. So, if you are looking for an alternative to chandeliers, decorative flush mount lights are best for your hallway.
Wall sconces: This light fixture is fantastic for hallway wall lighting. They come in different shapes and structures. You can use them to brighten up the dark areas of your hallway. They also work excellent as accent lighting. Besides, these wall sconces’ designed handles and casing add elegance to your hallway.
Chandeliers: The lighting of a large hallway is never complete without a chandelier. These lights bring a sophisticated look to your entire house. A giant chandelier is enough to be the centerpiece of your home. And if you have a duplex or triplex house with a vast hallway, a chandelier is a must-have lighting. You can also go for multiple chandeliers for long walking passages in hallways.
Hanging pendants: Pendant lights are a modern, simple version of bulky chandeliers. These lights can be big or simple in size. So, whether you have a big or small hallway, you can always go for pendant lights. However, you will get thousands of options in choosing pendant lighting. So, first, consider the interior of your hallway before deciding on the patent design.
Recessed lighting: These lights are directly installed into the ceiling or floor. Recessed lights are also known as pot or can lights. They are an excellent option for creating a hallway ambiance.
Artistic lights: Use crafty light fixtures to bring a creative touch to your hallway. Paper pendant lights, boho rattan (bamboo), or woven lamps would be excellent choices for this. These will bring a soft and fresh vibe to your hallway.
Smoked glass lights: If you are tired of light glaring and looking for diffused lighting fixtures, smoked glass light is for you. Nowadays, plain gray or ash-smokey glass lights are on trend. However, they can also be textured or tinted. So, go for the one that suits your hallway best.
Lantern lights: Are you a vintage lover? If yes, lantern light fixtures are your go-to option for hallway lighting. These are lightings with tin/iron glass casing that give a vintage vibe. You can use them in the center or go for multiple lanterns if you have a long hallway.
Spotlights: In highlighting the walls’ texture or focusing on any unique element of your hallway, spotlights work excellently. For example, if you have paintings or photos on hallway walls, go for spotlights to focus them.
Things To Consider For Choosing Hallway Lighting
Consider the style & pattern of your hallway before choosing any light fixture. Besides, the wall & light color, furniture, height, and width of the hallway must be kept in mind while lighting it up.
Different zones of your house have specific lighting requirements. The same goes for hallway lighting. I’ve included some factors in the below section which you must consider when lighting your hallway:
- Height Of The Hallway
The hallway height is essential for installing hallway lighting, especially when you have a duplex or triplex house. This type of house has big hallways with vast ceiling height, ideal for installing large chandeliers or other hanging fixtures. You can also experiment with multiple chandeliers. But for small height or narrow hallways, simple pendant lights, semi-flush mounts, or other small fixtures will be great. You can also go for Ceiling and floor lighting to create an illusion of height.
- Availability Of Natural Light
Turning on the lights all day is nothing but a waste of electricity. So, the availability of natural Lighting is essential for your hallway, especially in the daytime. Besides, you can go for low-lumen rating bulbs with sufficient natural Lighting. And if your hallway doesn’t have enough natural Lighting go for light layering. For example- recessed or LED strips for ambient Lighting and pendant lights for accent lighting.
- Structure Of The Hallway
To outstand your hallway lighting, you must consider the hallway’s style and structure. For example, if you have a traditional-style hallway, vintage light fixtures will complement you best. Here are some hallway styles based on which you can choose the correct fixture for your hallway-
Victorian Style Hallway: Victorian-style hallways have a royal touch, including mosaics, patterned floor tiles, and carpets. To complement these types of hallways, chandeliers or pendant lights suit best. As far as the light color, warm-tone lighting will fully bloom the Victorian style of your hallway.
Modern Hallway: Always use simple and sleek light fixtures when lighting a contemporary hallway. Recessed lights, LED strips, wall sconces, and pendant lights go well with modern hallways. You can also go creative with artistic light pieces to bring an aesthetic look to your hallway.
Dark & Narrow Hallway: A hallway with no natural lighting requires multiple fixtures for illumination. In this type of hallway, implement cove lighting with LED strips to bring an illusion of space.
Low Ceiling Hallway: For lighting low-ceiling hallways, avoid hanging light fixtures. Instead, focus on sidewall lighting. You can go for spotlights or wall sconces for this type of hallway. Mirror installation would be a brilliant move to reflect the lighting.
- Brightness Of The Fixture
For ambient hallway lighting, fixtures with 1200 – 2500 lumens are ideal. It will provide enough illumination for the entire hallway. And as for accent lighting, the brightness of the light would be three to four times higher than the ambient lighting. So, choose wall sconces or spotlights with higher lumen levels.
- Color Of The Light
White lights are best for hallway lighting. Here you can go for three options, warm tone, natural white, or cool tone lighting. Usually, warm, toned yellowish lights are preferable for hallways as they give a cozy ambiance making you feel at home. Besides, you can also go for cool light tones. However, color temperature plays a crucial role in deciding the light coloring. Different color temperatures bring out specific lighting output. Here is the color temperature range for white color lighting-
Tone Of White Color Temperature
Warm White 2700-3300K
Cool white 3300-5300K
Daylight 6500K
- Lighting Matches the Interior Decor
The interior decoration includes the furniture, wall color, floor & ceiling pattern, and the overall outlook of your hallway. So, to choose the right light fixture, consider these elements. If you have simple and plain furniture, go with a modern fixture. Spotlights, LED strips, and recessed and pendant lights are excellent for a trendy look. Again if your house has a vintage-inspired interior, chandeliers or lantern lights would be best.


