Ceiling Lighting 

Most people probably think of chandeliers or perhaps pendants when the topic of ceiling lighting comes up yet most fixtures for ambient lighting are semi-flush or flush mount lights.  These standards for ceiling illumination are commonly found in almost every room of the house and yet fail to really enhance the décor or make any decorative statement of their own.  But why is that?  

Frankly speaking, flush mount ceiling fixtures tend to be less expensive and almost anyone can install one so long as the wiring is in place.  Flush mount ceiling fixtures have the distinct advantage of hiding some truly horrific mounting mistakes because the shade and base are flush with the ceiling and hide everything.  Both practical and typically less expensive than other ceiling light fixtures, the flush mount illuminates more rooms and homes than any other and come in an equally impressive array of styles, materials, and price ranges. 

The semi-flush ceiling fixture, on the other hand, typically requires more care and precision when mounting into place because it features a smaller base than the flush mounted variety so it does not conceal mistakes.  However, while requiring more skill for installation, the semi-flush more than compensates with the added variety and stylistic options. 

The shade is suspended from the base of semi-flush ceiling fixture but does not extend down as low as a pendant or chandelier might.  However, some semi-flush fixtures feature designs similar to that of a pendant because they might have one, two, or three separate shades suspended from the base.  While a pendant supplies task illumination and tends to have the shade roughly 24-36 inches from the work surface, a semi-flush fixture is commonly centrally located in the room because it supplies ambient lighting and the shade(s) are always near the ceiling and close to the base.  

So which is better?  That of course really depends upon your taste, your surrounding décor, and your budget.  Both fixtures will add ambient illumination while ingratiating your décor with style and beauty.  However, it often requires more skill to install semi-flush fixture so anyone struggling with home improvement projects might favor the flush mounted fixtures as they can often be installed without problem in mere minutes when you have the right tools.  

But, for those with a taste for the exotic and wanting some more style and pizzazz in their lighting scheme and décor, the semi-flush ceiling fixtures are definitely the way to go.  Remember, no matter which fixture you choose, make certain to balance the lighting scheme with other sources of illumination to avoid dark spots.  To enhance the overall look and feel of the space, coordinate the style and finish of your ceiling fixture with that of the other light sources in the room.  This will not only help accentuate your flush or semi-flush ceiling lights, it will also improve the overall decorative appeal of the entire room.