The point of a flush mount light fixture is to provide functionality with lower or standard ceiling heights. That sounds easy in theory, but as it turns out these babies can be really difficult to source! The average home requires at least a few flush mounts (bathroom, basements, even the kitchen!), so we’re guessing there may be quite a few of you wondering where to start when buying these fixtures.

Two things you should pay attention to when it comes to flush mount lighting: scale and direction of light. If you’re in a kitchen, for example, you’ll want more directional, bright light. A hallway can handle more subtle lighting. And a bedroom is going to want upward or shaded light!

flush mount lighting roundup for every room in the house | via coco kelley

In the living room, the best rule of thumb is to find a substantial and large fixture. Generally, a living room houses heavy furniture (sofas, coffee tables, lounge chairs, etc). To counterbalance these heavy pieces, look for a flush mount that is heavy and shapely. I’m partial to something like the sunburst shape below that covers more ceiling!

a roundup of our favorite flush mounts for EVERY room in the house | coco kelley

Entryway:  matte white leaves | square brass flush mount | quatrefoil brass | nickel lantern

Kitchen: industrial dome | schoolhouse | mini industrial in white | polished nickel craftsman

Living Room: large sunburst | burnished bronze star | multi armed globe

The entryway is where people ‘meet’ your house for first time, so it’s not the place to play it too safe. Select something that reflects your personality or sets the tone for your decor.

And, in case you’re wondering how flush mounts actually look in the kitchen, here’s a beautiful example:

a classic grey kitchen with beautiful brass accents and flush mount lighting | design by lisa gutow on coco kelley

clark flush mount

When you’re working with standard ceilings and want to avoid recessed can lighting, install a flush mount! It adds so much personality to a smaller room. They look best all lined up with uniform spacing. Again, it’s all about scale here.

Moving on to some smaller spaces in the home…

place flush mount lighting in a row to light a heavy or dark hallway | flush mount lighting roundup on coco kelley a roundup of our favorite flush mounts for EVERY room in the house | coco kelley

Hallway: beaded | geometric | beveled | milk glass

Powder Room: crystal sunburst | mirrored star | bronze starburst | brass leaves

Laundry Room: white and brass bell light | white and brass flush mount | chrome flush mount | white globe

Hallways are the perfect place for flush mounts. They’re not hindered by other decor, so they’re another place in the home where you can get a little more unique with selection. Here’s a designer trick of the trade: choose a more basic light and install a series of them in a row. Odd numbers are best (3 or 5). Not only will the installation look amazing and repetitive, but it will add a lot of much needed light to an otherwise dim space.

And don’t forget the laundry room! It may be the most neglected space in the house but a little love from a stylish fixture can go a long way.

a modern neutral powder room by kate marker with wood black and white and brass | via coco kelley

While the focus of the powder room is often the sconces, take a peek in that mirror and see what we see – flush mount! In a smaller bathroom that’s not used for everyday things like putting on makeup or doing hair, you have an excellent opportunity for some mood lighting. Consider this your chance to go big in style, and small in voltage.

Now on to something a little softer…

wallpapered attic bedroom in classic style | coco kelley a roundup of our favorite flush mounts for EVERY room in the house | coco kelley

Girls’ Room: birds | capiz | pink clay bell | copper

Boys’ Room: bronze dome | basket | 3-arm globe | yellow industrial

Master Bedroom: beaded | double shade | scalloped shade | brass beveled

The bedroom is a place to go soft and whimsical when it comes to lighting. After all – this is the only room in the house where the inhabitant gets to really express themselves! In these spaces I tend to shy away from bare bulbs being exposed – drum lighting is typically best! But, in some cases, we just couldn’t help ourselves.

The best part about all of the flush mounts we’ve selected? They could really go almost anywhere in the house as long as it feels right! Remember to keep in mind scale, direction of light, and material (fabric pendants in a kitchen are a no no!) and go for it!

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