If you were to walk into any lighting store today you will be overwhelmed by the amount of styles, finishes and designs of lighting fixture that are available. This dramatic increase of choice over the last few years is due to the development of the humble light bulb. Our glossary of lighting-related terms will aid your search for the perfect light. If you can’t find the answer here, call our trained staff of lighting experts, who can help you with any questions you may have.

Central Ceiling Fixtures provide good levels of ambient light for almost any room. Some are fitted with an uplighter which can be made from glass, soft fabrics or plastics, this diffuses the light and disguises the light source.

Flush Light: A fixture that is close to the ceiling or wall and does not have rods or arms leading to the sockets. This non-invasive style works well on low ceilings and narrow hallways.

Semi-Flush: A fixture that allows the option of suspended light when you do not have enough space for a chandelier or wall mounted fixture. These lights can also be used to add a stylistic element to any room.

Pendant Fixtures are good to create both ambient and task lighting. However retractable versions can be used over a table in the dinning room while background lighting is dimmed to create intimacy and focus. The Pendant has to be at the correct height as glare from the light source can be uncomfortable for family and guests

Convertible Pendant: A convertible pendant is a dual function light fixture. It can be used as a hanging pendant with a chain or rod, and can also be mounted as a semi-flush light to the ceiling surface.

Kitchen Island Pendant is usually a multi lamp style, horizontally hung fixture that is best suited for a kitchen island or table. These fixtures often add an element of style to a room.

Chandeliers grab attention and become the focal point in any room. Available in many different shapes and sizes the chandelier can create a dramatic atmosphere. The glass used in these fixtures vary widely, full lead crystal glass is more expensive but will last far longer than lower quality crystal glass and not discolour as easily.

Spotlights used for directional lighting which will illuminate a defined area, some will use lenses or other optics to reduce the side-spill of light. They are often confused with flood lights that are more power and spill light over a greater area. They can be used in exterior or interior lighting, depending on their design.

Track Lighting offers a stylish way to highlight anything from artwork and family portraits to plants and telephones where space is at a premium. Track lighting can also be used to good effect in the hall which can be a long narrow space that has numerous features and helps direct people. Wire systems are very similar and are supported by springs and fittings mounted in to a wall which ensures the wire is taut. These are low voltage systems.

Recessed Lights can be used to light a whole room such as a bathroom or a kitchen where high concentrations of light are required in specific areas. Some fixtures just downlight whilst others such as eyeball fittings can be directed onto areas required.

 Wall Washers create soft ambient lighting with eye-catching effects over walls. This usually works best in a dimmed room where the full effects can be seen.Wall washing is best suited for smooth surfaces.

Under Cabinet Lights (Link Lights) increase safety in the kitchen or can be used to highlight those special trophies or ornaments in a living room or books in a study. They provide ample light in hard to fit spaces throughout your home.

Strip Light, sometimes referred to as a vanity strip, is most often used mounted in bathrooms above mirrors. It is typically a long, single fixture comprising of a series of globe-style bulbs, that align in a row along the top or sides of the mirror. This fixture is often used to add illumination for make-up application or to reflect light throughout a bathroom.

Standard/Floor Lamps provide stylish light as they bounce light off the ceiling. Depending on the setting, they can emit ambient (general) lighting or accent lighting. Some have reading lights (task lighting) as extra. Halogen bulbs in these fixtures reach high temperatures and following manufactures' instructions should be followed to increase your pleasure and safety.

Table/Task lamps provide good levels of task lighting where a visual activity like reading, writing, sewing or food preparations are important. Traditional to more contemporary these lamps can also help reduce glare from a computer screen and help keep you focused on the job at hand. 

Swing Arm Lamp are a functional floor or wall lamp with a horizontal double-arm. The light source can be moved from side to side for reading or project lighting. These lamps are an excellent choice for bedside lighting.

Wall Lanterns are often used to light the exterior of a home or business, wall lanterns hold a traditional lantern shape and are mounted, usually with a bracket plate, to a wall surface.

Hanging Lantern fixtures consist of a ceiling mounted bracket that maintains a chain or wire from which a lantern hangs. Used mostly in an exterior lighting setting, these fixtures are conventionally used to illuminate the area above a front door on a porch.

Lamp Posts are an outdoor light fixture that are comprised of a lantern fixture and a support post that is usually driven into the ground.

Path Lighting is a form of exterior lighting. They are used to line walkways, stairs, and driveways. Path lights illuminate areas of foot traffic for safety precautions and to add aesthetic lighting to the outside of a home or building.

Flood Lighting is an indiscriminate way of lighting an area that is usually associated with outdoor security or utility functions. The light is projected in a broad beam. These lights often blend into the landscape of a home.