There are a multitude of lighting fixtures to suit a variety of personal styles and budgets.
Hallway fixtures can include wall sconces, flush mount ceiling lights, pendant lights and even led
strip lighting. Read on for some helpful hallway lighting placement tips. You can also click the
photos to be brought to our website and browse recommended fixtures for hallway lighting.
Sometimes a hallway’s narrow dimensions or architecture doesn’t allow for wall sconces, but
you can splurge on a dramatic pendant light if the ceiling is high enough. Be sure to measure
both the light fixture itself as well as your floor to ceiling height before purchasing a pendant for
your hallway. If a pendant is too long, try a flush-mounted ceiling light instead.
A good rule of thumb is to hang a pendant light 8 feet above the floor. In addition to making
sure your very tall Uncle Ted doesn’t bump his head on the light, also mind whether you have
doors in the way that swing out toward the fixture. Even so, don’t be afraid to install a dramatic
light fixture in this area to make a memorable statement for your home.
Another option for hallways with low ceilings is to install recessed ceiling light fixtures. This
creates additional flexibility — especially important for children and adults who often visit the
bathroom at night. The ceiling-mounted fixtures can also be set up on a dimmer control system
to allow for navigation that does not disturb the remainder of the household.
Another option for hallways with low ceilings is to install recessed ceiling light fixtures. This
creates additional flexibility — especially important for children and adults who often visit the
bathroom at night. The ceiling-mounted fixtures can also be set up on a dimmer control system
to allow for navigation that does not disturb the remainder of the household.
Wall sconces are a design tool as well as a visual cue. We gauge our location as well as our
destination by following “mile markers” within our line of sight. A trail of wall sconces can be
used to pinpoint doorways as well. As always, one must measure the dimensions of the wall
sconce and the width of the hallway to ensure that the sconce will not jut out too far
Cove lighting technique that directs light toward the ceiling from one or more sides of a room to
diffuse illumination. Cove lighting is found in ledges, recesses, ceiling valences and high on
walls. This type of indoor lighting is popular because the fixture itself cannot be seen, creating a
dramatic effect. The light can then be directed either up toward the ceiling or down creating a
wall washing effect.
If your hallway is also an art gallery, consider picture lighting. Picture lights are typically
wall-mounted fixtures created to beautifully illuminate individual artworks. Characteristically
used with very low-wattage lamps, they provide a relationship with a piece of art, as well as
allowing you to view details of the work up close and personal. In addition to their obvious
function, picture lights are also decorative fixtures. On Louie Lighting, you’ll find a great
selection of attractive and subtle picture lights to choose from. Line voltage and low voltage
options, fixtures that mount directly to the painting’s frame, track lights, as well as energy
saving fixtures are all available. Contact a lighting designer with experience in lighting artwork
to avoid glare and ensure that artwork is not damaged.
Entry points and pathways within the home typically require nothing more than ambient or
general lighting, unless there are focal points you wish to highlight, such as artwork or
architectural details that need additional accent lighting. If you have a small hallway it may be
sufficiently lighted by a single ceiling-mounted or recessed fixture. In contrast, a hallway with
vaulted ceilings or a staircase may require a chandelier with lighting controls at both the bottom
and top of the stairs, step lights, AND accent lighting.
