Where to Find Stylish Flush-Mount Lights | Ask Joshua

Hi Joshua,

We recently moved into our first home, which was built in the late 1970s and still has its original square glass flush-mount ceiling lights throughout the house. I would like to replace them, but I have struggled to find options that feel stylish rather than purely functional.

We are not ready for a major renovation, so changing the lighting seems like a manageable way to update the rooms. Our style is eclectic, and our planned color palette includes blush pink, gold, white, gray, and maple wood.

How do I choose attractive flush-mount lights that will work throughout the house?

Thank you,

Rebecca - Thousand Oaks, California

British gentlemen’s club-style basement recreation room with three brass flush-mount ceiling lights, dark green paneled walls, a cognac sectional, and a charcoal wingback chair. — A British gentlemen’s club-style basement recreation room with brass flush-mount ceiling lights and richly layered furnishings, designed by virtual interior designer Joshua Jones of JJones Design Co.

Hi Rebecca,

Thank you for writing in. Replacing dated ceiling lights is a great way to make your new home feel more current without undertaking a major renovation. Those changes may seem small, but lighting can have a considerable effect on the character and atmosphere of a room.

There are many attractive alternatives to the basic square glass fixtures currently in your home. The terms to look for while shopping are flush mount and semi-flush mount.

A flush-mount light sits directly against or very close to the ceiling, making it particularly useful in rooms with lower ceilings. A semi-flush mount hangs a short distance below the ceiling and can provide a more decorative or sculptural appearance when sufficient clearance is available.

For your eclectic style and color palette, I would look for warm brass or aged-gold fixtures paired with white, frosted, or opal glass. These finishes will complement your blush tones and maple wood while still working with white and gray throughout the house.

You could also consider details such as scalloped edges, softly curved shades, globe lights, floral-inspired forms, faceted glass, or subtle geometric shapes. These elements would introduce personality without requiring every fixture to become the room’s focal point.

Your ceiling lights do not all need to match. Choose more distinctive fixtures for prominent spaces such as the entry, living room, dining area, and bedrooms. Simpler coordinating designs can be used in hallways, closets, and utility spaces. Repeating a finish, glass color, or general shape will help the different lights feel connected.

Before purchasing a fixture, check its complete width and height to make sure it is properly scaled for the room and will provide enough clearance below it. You should also review the number of bulbs, brightness, dimming compatibility, and whether it is approved for the intended location—particularly in a bathroom or another area exposed to moisture.

Although changing a light fixture may appear to be a manageable project, older homes can contain unexpected wiring or electrical boxes that are not suitable for a new fixture. If you have any concerns about the existing wiring or installation, hire a qualified electrician.

I selected several stylish flush-mount and semi-flush-mount lights below that could work beautifully with your eclectic style and preferred color palette.