When it comes to lighting, you have many  options. There are cove lights, recessed lights, track lights, and many more.

In this guide, we walk you through the different types of lighting, and point out what to keep in mind for each option. Read on to find out more!

Different Types Of Lighting

Here’s a quick overview of the different types of lighting you can opt for:

• Flush mount lights
• Recessed lights
• Cove lights
• Track lights
• Pendant lights

Type Of Lighting: Flush Mount Lights

What are flush mount lights? Flush mount lights are the default lights that HDB flats come with – where you get one protruding light fixture that’s centred on your ceiling. These lights are usually circular, but you can find square and irregular designs as well.

What should you know about flush mount lights: Because flush mount lights stick out of the ceiling and aren’t as aesthetically pleasing as other types of lights, most folks opt to replace their flush mount lights with other lighting options instead.

Type Of Lighting: Recessed Lights

What are recessed lights? Recessed lights are lights that are fitted into false ceilings – unlike flush mount lights, recessed lights are laid flat against the ceiling and do not protrude out.

What should you know about recessed lights: These are a good option for homeowners who don’t want a flush mount light (for aesthetic reasons) or can’t install a flush mount light (for example, if the space in the centre of your ceiling is taken up by a ceiling fan). Take note that you definitely need a false ceiling to build in recessed lights – this increases your renovation cost, and might make your space look slightly cramped.

Type Of Lighting: Cove Lights

What are cove lights? Cove lights are lights that are fitted into a ledge or valences along the ceiling – these look like an illuminated rectangle or square, with the lights lining the sides of the rectangle. Like recessed lights, these can only be installed if you have a false ceiling.

What should you know about cove lights: Cove lights are great for ambient lighting – they create a soft, diffused look as the lights bounce off the ceiling. However, they’re not suited to task lighting (ie: lighting that’s meant to increase visibility and help you focus on a specific task, like reading or cooking).

Type Of Lighting: Track Lights

What are track lights? Track lights are lights that form a continuous track, and are fixed to a ceiling-mounted structure. These look like a row of spotlights, with the bulbs being encased in cylindrical tubes that you can angle whichever way you want.

What should you know about track lights: Track lights are good for emphasis: you can use them to highlight features such as your display shelves, artwork, or even your television. On the flip side, track lights aren’t that suited to the overall illumination of a room.

Type Of Lighting: Pendant Lights

What are pendant lights? Pendant lights, or pendant lamps, are light fixtures that hang from your ceiling. These are suspended by a cord, chain, or metal rod, and they come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes.

What should you know about pendant lights: These are great for freeing up space. Instead of opting for a floor lamp or a bedside lamp in your bedroom, you can simply hang a pendant lamp over your bedside table instead.

Want to check out home renovation projects for more inspiration? Browse lighting designs on Hometrust, or click the button below to get connected with expert designers.