• A large, crystal chandelier sets off a large space.chandelier image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com
  
  Ceiling lights are common fixtures in houses and come in many different styles. Ceiling lights are differentiated from wall-mounted lighting, lamps and floor lighting as they are set into or hung from the ceiling. Ceiling lights add both form and function to a space, with areas such as work rooms or laundries requiring function over form, while living and dining rooms need a combination of both.
  
  

Downlights

• Downlights are typically halogen or LED globes set flush into the ceiling in small casings. Most downlights are adjustable, so a bright light is emitted when needed, and the lights dim for a more subdued atmosphere.
  
  

Fluorescent

• Fluorescent lights are mounted flush to ceilings and provide a strong, white light that is most suited to work areas, such as laundries and garages, or to light up hallways. Fluorescent lighting is often incorporated into office ceiling plans for good visibility within the office. Because the light produced is stark, fluorescent lights are rarely seen in dining or living rooms where more atmosphere is required.
  
  

Track Lighting

• Track lighting is a set of spotlights, usually three or four per track, which have movable heads for highlighting different areas in the room. Track lighting is very versatile, especially as they come in types that accept regular incandescent globes or halogens. Track lighting is used in kitchens to provide strong light in multiple areas but is also used in living rooms and bedrooms or home offices.
  
  

Pendant Lighting

• Pendant lighting is one of the most common types of ceiling lighting, consisting of a globe or globes suspended by a cord or chain from the ceiling. The most basic of pendant lights is a simple incandescent globe hung from a cord. The most elaborate is the chandelier, with multiple levels and globes suspended from a decorative mount. Typically pendant lights have an inverted bowl-type light shade which provides decorate function, as well as diffuses the light, making it appropriate for dining and living areas requiring atmospheric lighting. Hundreds of designs are available for pedant lighting.
  
  

Flush Mounting

• Flush mounted lights are lighting fixtures mounted directly to the ceiling, with the light globes inside them. Inverted bowls are favorite design styles for flush mounting, but square boxes or thin discs are also available. Designs are many and varied, made to suit the numerous different house styles in use today.