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18 Classic Flushmount Lights (6 of which are in our new house)

    The ceilings in our house are on the shorter side at 8 feet. It gives the house a cozy feel, but also can make it feel a bit dark. The decidedly dated light fixtures throughout the house were not helping things, either (see the before pictures here).

    Switching out lights is one of the easiest ways to update a room and so over the past six months, we have replaced all of the ceiling lights with more modern, brighter versions.

    As I was searching for lights, I weeded through one million bad ones (whyyyy are boob lights still a thing?!) and gathered 18 of my favorites. These are classic in styling, most are under $250 and a couple are less than $100.  1. 3-Light Flush Mount $178 | 2. Scallop White Metal Flushmount $129 | 3. Dahlia Flushmount $249 | 4. Vega Brushed Brass Flush Mount $249 | 5. Mia Faceted-Crystal Oversized Flushmount $299 | 6. Thurman Flushmount $120 | 7. Industrial Loft Double Pendant $264 | 8. Fabric Shade Flushmount $79 | 9. Victoria Flushmount $229 | 10. Dauphine Wood Flushmount $499 | 11. Ricco Scalloped Semi-Flush Mount $142 | 12. Yasmine Ceiling Mount $249 | 13. Cedar + Moss Semi-Flush $159 | 14. Capiz Flushmount $199 | 15. Bell White Flush Mount $59.95 | 16. Suzette Ceiling Mount $199 | 17. Celeste 2-Light Flushmount $97 | 18. Crystal Flushmount $179

    Six of those lights are the ones we chose for our house. Let me show you how they look.

    In the entry, stairway and upstairs hall, we put in five matching fabric drum shade flushmounts from West Elm (#8). We bought them on sale (I think $60ish a piece) and they instantly modernized and connected these common areas.

    Here you can see how they work in the hallway and stair landing. It was especially important that the sides and bottom of the fixture would give off light to make this semi-dark space as bright as possible.

    Unfortunately, they are no longer available on the website, but this one is really similar.

    Audrey’s light (#2) was the first one I ordered because the shape was just so darling.

    It’s adorable in person and while the light does not shine out the sides (it is metal) it still feels bright enough.

    The middle boys share a room and we chose this slightly nautical light (#17) for their room.

    This is actually the second light we tried in here. The first did not have glass on the sides and was just way too dim for their fairly dark room. This one works much better.

    In our room, there was a massive ceiling fan positioned right above the bed. I know people are fans of ceiling fans, but I am not one of them. Especially because we have central A/C in the house and rarely do our temps get over 85* anyway. So the fan had to go. In its place, we chose another linen shade flushmount (#11), except in a sweet shape.

    The light is not really centered in the room and we liked the idea of it blending in more than being a statement. If I were looking for a statement light in our bedroom, I would choose #3, #4 or #10.

    Up on the third floor, we picked an industrial style light (#7) that could withstand an inevitable ball or pillow or something being thrown its way.

    In my studio, I picked two semi-flushmount lights (#13) in my beloved black and white as a focal for each dormer.

    They make me ridiculously happy every time I see them.


    I’ve been feeling mildly discouraged lately about how slow and unfinished our house is. There is not one room in the whole house that is completely done.

    But then I look at these photos and see the many little changes we’re making and realize that we’re moving at a just fine pace. It is hard to be patient and balance real life with house projects. In a perfect world we would have an unlimited budget and a full crew here making the vision we have for this house come true. But that is not reality :)

    So I’m going to chill out a bit and be thankful for the little things like paint and carpet and new flushmount lights.

    34 thoughts on “18 Classic Flushmount Lights (6 of which are in our new house)”

    1. Question, do the West Elm flush mount lights have a diffuser on the bottom, or do you look straight up into the bulb? We are looking at living room lights but have low ceilings and sitting directly above a bee bulb doesn’t sound appealing but I’m digging it from the side view. Many thanks.

    2. Would you say that the west elm drum light could be bright enough for dinners, mounted above a kitchen table?

      I’m curious since their linen version of it appears to be temporarily back in stock right now (fingers crossed they keep it in stock! ) I’m at a complete LOSS for what light to put above our table, but I know the 1960’s hand-me-down chandelier from my parents needs to go, and fast. Unfortunately, we don’t have a dining room in this little house and the kitchen table is exactly that — in the kitchen.

    3. Love these options!!! Any chance you could do a post on pretty ceiling fans? I get so overwhelmed looking and end up never finding any we love. We really need to install a fan in our daughter’s room and our bedroom (they are the hottest rooms in our house) but just can’t find the right fit! I’d love to see what you could come up with! ;)

    4. I would love to have barn light electric flush-mounts but we just can’t afford to upgrade right now. I’ll have to live with my boobs and learn to love them. =p

    5. I unknowingly have ‘boob’ lights in the upstairs hallway & kid’s bedrooms. I had never heard of them called this before & had to click on the link to see what they were!! Maybe because we are in Canada?! I will never look at them the same way again… :(
      Your home is lovely & you are very lucky to be able to have done all that you have in a short time. We have lived here for nearly 7 years & progress is very slow due to time, cost & the fact that I hate painting – only 3 bedrooms painted with new trim & new flooring done on one level.
      Enjoy reading all of your posts!

    6. Those are amazing options! As someone who is house hunting, I’ve been realizing that lighting is such a key feature in a room! And I LOVE these options for low ceilings. Your home is coming along beautifully! Thanks for letting us all have a peek at the process!

      Here are two others that I like as well:
      https://www.lowes.com/pd/allen-roth-12-91-in-W-Oil-Rubbed-Bronze-Flush-Mount-Light/50037036

      http://www.shadesoflight.com/antique-mirror-star-ceiling-light.html

    7. Hello Emily
      If I can give advice, finish piece by piece. I did not do it for some rooms in the house and I regret it because it is bad and ugly !! A luminaire was bought 3 years ago and still have not installed !! Fed up !! Finish one piece and after another. This is easier.
      Have a good day !

    8. this helps SO much & is so timely. we close on a house built in 2000 in a month & a 1/2. it’s a “fixer upper” & i’m discouraged before we’ve even moved in because the amount of work & $ it’ll take is overwhelming. but it’ll be WORTH IT. glad i have you about 8 months ahead of me in this process for both design inspiration AND for some realistic timelines / reality checks. i’m NOT the most patient person. i’ll have to practice some real self-control not to stay awake for a week straight just to get stuff done. ;) LOVE LOVE LOVE your style – and our kids are close in age, so we’re in similar stages! thank you for sharing the process. LOVE IT.

    9. I bought the West Elm drum shade after seeing it in your entry way. I love it, however, I didn’t anticipate the amount of light that shines on the ceiling. Am I missing a diffuser or something? My husband lined the top with tin foil, which I think solved it, but I wondered how you felt about it or if you just embrace it? Maybe I am using the wrong type of bulb? I would love to hear your thoughts or see some of these lights at night!

      PS. I have followed your blog for years. I am so impressed by how true to the original blog it still is, no matter how many followers you have. Good work on your house and your blog- you should be proud.

    10. fortunately I have never seen a boob light. wish one could be shown on a future email so I will never be innocently installing something others will call boob lights. hahahahaha

    11. I’m impressed with your rate of work – especially with 4 kids and both working…. hell, we bought a fixer upper in 1994 and we are just now getting around to the master situation…

      1. Us too. Bought in 1999 and just did master bedroom and bath this year and are waiting to pay that off to address the master closet.

    12. So here are my two-cents worth on boob lights…we are building a home right now and in one room alone I need 8 flush mount lights. I can’t afford even $100 per light. Boob lights are really cheap and I hope to replace them with can lights within the next year. I would love to see non-boob lights around the same price as boob lights, not 2-4 times as much. I would love to hear any suggestions you may have.

      1. That’s such a good point. Try searching on wayfair or joss and main – they do have slightly less expensive options. I do think manufacturers need to make cost-effective flushmounts that are basics. Maybe I should start a line … :)

    13. Emily, your house is looking great, go easy on yourself! I’m wondering if you or any other readers have suggestions for replacing a fluorscent light in a laundry room with no windows. I have 10 ft ceilings and am worried i won’t have enough light if I get rid of the ugly but practical fluorscent fixture. Thanks.

    14. Thank you for the comment about boob lights. I spent untold hours looking at the same ugly fixtures. I refused to have a house full of breastes handing from the ceiling.

      From the outside looking in, we think you are making amazing progress on your house. Don’t loose heart…or enthusiasm. Your projects are what keep all of us going on our projects!

    15. I think you guys are doing great! We moved into our house six years ago and are just now getting to the point where we can decorate because I’m done with the structural things I need to do. (Life happens during remodels and my husband, who is amazing on many fronts, thinks the drill is called “the electric screwdriver”) Having the before pictures is always a good reminder of how far you’ve come!

    16. Can you tell me what size I am looking at for the Ricco Scalloped Semi Flush Mount in your room? There is a big jump in price between the two size options, so I’m wondering how 12″ vs. 18″ relates to what I’m seeing? And really, don’t feel discouraged! We just moved in November, and I find your blog/IG as a source of complete encouragement! So inspiring!!

    17. Emily,
      I did the same when we moved into our dated 1983 Colonial home. The light fixtures where awful and the first thing to be replaced. It immediately made the house begin to feel updated.
      Love your choices!!

    18. I love all these lights! However, I laughed reading about you not needing a ceiling fan.. I can’t sleep without it! I also live in Texas, where it’s always over 85* though. :) Also, the house looks fabulous!

    19. Thank you for this list, Emily! I’ve found it difficult to find attractive flush mount lighting, and your grouping is fabulous. Do you mind sharing where you found the brass dinner bell in the top-most photo?

    20. I have lived with hideous flushmount lights and ceiling fans for TWO YEARS! I have searched everywhere (or so I thought) for replacements. I love the inexpensive, chic selections you have shared! Can’t wait to replace my lights, now!

      1. exactly what i was thinking. i have a couple of lights i’ve been eyeing, but are SO expensive. I feel like I could get a look i’m pleased with in these options! Thanks, emily!!

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