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Flush Mount and Semi-Flush Mount Lighting Buying Guide

Brian Gregory

By Brian Gregory
Updated July 9, 2024

Flush mount ceiling light fixtures are simple overhead fixtures you can use to light your home and make it more welcoming. They’re installed to sit flush with your ceiling, leaving you with a clean and modern look. Semi-flush mount lighting remains partly exposed and comes in a range of styles.

A flush mount light installed above a bed.

What is the Difference Between a Flush Mount and a Semi-Flush Mount Fixture?

A flush mount ceiling light is typically a dome-shaped ceiling light fixture that’s mounted so that it’s embedded within and flush to the ceiling. A semi-flush mount light is more decorative, and the base of the light extends just below the ceiling. Semi-flush mount lights can mimic pendant lights, except they don’t hang as low.

The best thing about flush mount and semi-flush mount lights is versatility. They work well in casual or formal interiors and in rooms with low ceilings, providing the home with ambient light. Flush mount lights and semi-flush mount lights are great for the large rooms of your home, including your bathrooms, bedrooms, dining room, kitchen and living room. They can also work well in small spaces, such as your foyer, hallway, office or pantry. To learn more about lighting your home, check out our article on How to Choose the Right Lights.


Flush vs. Semi Flush: How to Decide

Here are a few points to consider when pondering flush mount and semi-flush mount lighting fixtures:

  • Flush mount lights have a lower profile, making them perfect for low ceilings as well as closets, small bedrooms and bathrooms.
  • Above a table or countertop, or in a room in which you entertain guests, semi-flush mount lights will provide more direct illumination.
  • Semi-flush mount lights are usually the best choice for taller ceilings.

Sizing

The size for the flush mount or semi-flush mount light that you need depends on the size of your space. The average flush mount light is 13 inches wide, but they range from 12 inches to 24 inches wide. Semi-flush mount lights can range from 6-1/4 inches to 23 inches wide.

Types of Shades

Semi-flush mount and flush mount lights have shades in glass, fabric or wood. A glass dome shade is typically used in the hallway, closet or foyer. Try one with metal filigree or wood paneling for extra flair. This type works well in a bedroom, dining room or living room. Popular flush mount and semi-flush mount light shades include:

Glass

Flush mount light with a glass shade.

This stylish ceiling light fixture blends well with your ceiling and can also match your décor. Fixtures with decorative glass shades and finishes are available for an expressive look. Glass shades come in a variety of options that include:

  • Frosted glass
  • Etched glass
  • Ribbed glass
  • Alabaster glass
  • Tea-stained glass
  • Tiffany-style glass

Fabric

Flush-mount light with a fabric shade.

This style provides warm, diffused light, and the shade adds texture to the room’s décor. These work well in places for gathering and relaxing, such as bedrooms, living rooms and dining rooms.

Crystal

A black semi-flush mount light with a drum-shaped crystal shade.

This style brings the elegance of a chandelier to a low ceiling or entryway. These highly decorative lights are beautiful and sure to impress your guests.

Tip

For flexibility, install a dimmer switch that’ll allow you to adjust the light and instantly change the mood of the room. Check the packaging to see if your light is dimmable.

Rattan

A matte black semi-flush mount light with a natural rattan shade.

Warm and inviting, this woven shade brings a natural element to your space and offers a more casual vibe. It’s great for less formal areas like living rooms and works well with a variety of home aesthetics, including coastal- and rustic-inspired styles.

Wood

A bronze semi-flush mount light with a wood drum-shaped shade with a quatrefoil design.

Flush mount lights with wood shades pair well with farmhouse and rustic styles. From beaded designs to fixtures that combine wood and metal elements, they can work in a variety of settings, including foyers, hallways, dining rooms and more.

Modern

A sleek matte black flush mount light with a frosted shade.

Contemporary or modern ceiling lights are available in many different designs and materials. They’re an excellent choice for homes and buildings with a minimalist or nontraditional theme.

Three-Light

A contemporary style brushed nickel and chrome 3-light flush mount light with clear shades.

These have three light sources stemming from the base of the light. Some three-light flush mount or semi-flush mount lights have adjustable light heads, allowing you to direct light toward focal points in the room for accent lighting.

Tip

If you need more than one flush mount light, check to see if the style you want is available in a pack.

Finishes to Complement Your Style

Flush mount light with a metal and glass shade.

Flush mount and semi-flush mount lights come in a number of finishes to work with your décor. Get inspiration from the existing finishes in your home. If the door handles and cabinet hardware are all in brushed nickel, choose lighting fixtures in a complementary finish. Popular flush mount and semi-flush mount light finishes include:

  • Brushed nickel 
  • Satin nickel 
  • Oil-rubbed bronze 
  • Antique bronze 
  • White

Lighting Collections

If you find a pendant light you like and need other light fixtures, find out if it’s part of a collection. Lighting collections offer fixtures in the same style and finish for many areas of the home. To learn more about what’s popular in lighting, check out our Lighting Trends Inspiration guide.

Installation

Refer to the manufacturer’s instruction manual for step-by-step instructions and safety, warning and caution information. If in doubt, consult a qualified electrician. Need your new light fixtures installed? Trust Lowe’s with your lighting and ceiling fan installation.

Light Bulbs

Don’t forget to pick up light bulbs for your new fixture. Color temperature, lumens and wattage all play a factor in your room’s quality of light. Light-emitting diodes (LED) and compact fluorescent (CFL) lights help lower energy costs. Both require less wattage to provide the same light output as incandescent bulbs.

For more information on light bulbs, check out our Choosing Light Bulb Types article.

Caution

Never exceed the maximum wattage recommended for your light fixture.

Save Energy with Built-In LEDs

Built-in LED ceiling lights are cool to the touch. In general, look for a warm white color temperature for living rooms and bedrooms, a bright white color temperature for kitchens and workspaces, and a daylight color temperature for reading nooks and studies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most asked questions related to flush mount and semi-flush mount lighting.

How Do I Choose a Flush Mount Light?

If you’re looking for a place to start, choose a flush mount fixture that’s the right size for the room. Once you’ve determined how big the fixture should be, you can consider style options such as traditional, modern or farmhouse lighting.

What Is the Difference Between Flush Mount and Semi-Flush Mount Lighting?

Flush mount fixtures are installed very close to the ceiling, so they appear to blend in and offer more clearance. Semi-flush mount fixtures are suspended from the ceiling, creating more illumination.

How Big Should My Flush Mount Light Be?

It’s best to choose a flush mount fixture that’s an appropriate size for the dimensions of the room. If the room is 100 square feet or less, select a fixture with a diameter between 12 and 24 inches. If the room is larger than 100 feet, choose a fixture that is wider than 24 inches.

How Do You Measure a Flush Mount Light Fixture?

To pick a lighting fixture that’s the correct size, measure the width and length of the room in feet, add the two numbers together, and replace feet with inches. For example, if a room is 14 feet by 20 feet, the sum of those two numbers is 34. This means you’d need a flush mount fixture that is 34 inches wide.