skip to main content

Design Dilemma Home Decorating Lighting

Need help choosing light fixtures for old house

2 years ago

I’m feeling overwhelmed and could use some guidance!

My 1900 Victorian needs a refresh, including new light fixtures in many of the rooms. I think there should be some continuity between rooms but I’m not sure how to achieve that. Same metal color? Something else?

I’ll need to select several wall sconces plus a few ceiling lights, chandeliers, and ceiling fans.

Given the fact that my house is old, I feel like I should stay somewhat true to its original style, but that may be difficult since I much prefer clean lines over fussy Victorian details.

I added a few pictures of wall sconces I like, just to provide some context. Are there any basic guidelines for choosing lighting for a whole house, or sources you would recommend? Many thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

sconset123
Original Author
2 years ago
Sorry for the lack of formatting in my post above! I’m using the Houzz app and for some reason it removes all the line breaks, which makes it hard to read :(
Yvonne Martin
2 years ago
I would suggest that you keep the metal color consistent and the fixture style somewhat classical. Your first photo looks like a good choiceto me.
Related Discussions
Pl. help me choose which Light Fixture! Need to decide today
Q
Comments (14)
Thanks all for the replies. My 1st pick was the top one with the round balls. I was told that this was only available as pendant style, not a flush mount which we needed as only 8ft ceilings. The 2nd one was available as flush mount or pendant style. However, I contacted the company (supplier) this am and they said they carry in both formats. I've since called the store and am waiting to hear back if I can exchange or if this will be special order and a lot more $$. (Note the flush mount drops 1'' from ceiling vs. pendant which can drop from 6'' to 42''. Fixture is going over either our bed or a coffee table. DH preferred the flush mount style given height restrictions which is why we ended up with my 2nd choice with the non-round drops We'll see what if find out from the store.... Thanks again:)
...See More
Need to choose lots of light fixtures: please help me choos
Q
Comments (44)
Carol, have you taken a white plastic bag and stuffed it to the size of the Possini Chandelier I posted, and hung it to see visually how it will look? It's 28" high. If your ceiling is 11', and you hang that chandy with approx 20" of chain, the light itself will be between 7 and 7.5 ft off the floor - a good height for an entry chandy. The fixture takes 6 60watt bulbs - more light than your old fan put out for sure. You definitely want to have a dimmer on this fixture. And I agree with BusyBee that sconces in this area will be definite overkill. I'd save the sconce budget for places that you'll want other lighting. If you're still undecided you can have the electrician run the wiring and bury it in the wall where you would like sconces, and not put a hole in the drywall. If you find later that you still want the sconces you can add them without any more trouble than opening up the hole in the drywall and accessing wiring.
...See More
Need help choosing chandelier/Home Depot lighting
Q
Comments (8)
I have been quite happy with my HD purchases in fans and lighting; but you did make one statement that concerns me in regard to your satisfaction; you said the ceiling fan does not put out enough light - but you also said that fan had 4 100 watt bulbs. That is a pretty high wattage - higher than any of the fans I looked at. You do have to use only the allowed maximum wattage, so if you are depending on the room light from your ceiling fan, the HD choice will give you 100 less watts of light, and the light will be diffused, not direct, since the fixture points up - so it may be perceived as darker even if you had exactly the same wattage. Just something to think about.... terry
...See More
Need help for an old milk house- need to choose right red paint
Q
Comments (3)
A color I would recommend is the SW 6335 Fire Brick by the Sherwin Williams Brand. The product SuperPaint Exterior Acrylic Latex Paint would help the paint last and last throughout the elements. I hope this helps.
...See More
Related Professionals
East Hanover Interior Designers & Decorators · Carson Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Georgetown Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Schenectady Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Culver City Furniture & Accessories · Franklin General Contractors · Reisterstown General Contractors · Waianae General Contractors · Glenbrook Interior Designers & Decorators · Northridge Furniture & Accessories · Tamalpais-Homestead Valley Furniture & Accessories · Huntington Beach Window Treatments · Wilmington Furniture & Accessories · Indian Creek Furniture & Accessories · Oak Ridge Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures
PRO
lisedv
2 years ago
Difficult to comment on only seeing the fixtures you're considering without seeing any of your house and/or decor.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
2 years ago
Plaster sconces painted to match the wall and antique brass sconces and chandeliers would be appropriate.
upstatem
2 years ago
Go with the clean lines you love.
btydrvn
2 years ago
When i am looking for ideas i like to look in houzz photos…type in your preference ..perhaps “ shaker “ light fixtures as they are simple but will fit in an older home
einportlandor
2 years ago
Try these websites:

https://www.rejuvenation.com

http://www.customlightingfixtures.com

https://www.houseofantiquehardware.com
sconset123
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you all for the great suggestions!

BeverlyFLADeziner, I appreciate you taking the time to find specific examples. I’ve seen lots of your posts over the years and the ideas you share are always top-notch.

You’re all helping me focus on pulling things together in a more cohesive way. I’ll go through houzz photos to see what else I can find.

einportlandor, thanks for the helpful links - lots of great stuff there. Now I’m distracted by all the cool hinges and hardware on the last site you posted!

I’ll try to find good photos of my interior, but its current state really does not show how I’d like things to look. I do have lots of hideous light fixtures from the 80s, though. And that was not a good era ;)
0
beeboo22
2 years ago
One thing to consider— I would try to get lighting that suits the house but decorate with furniture and decor that suits you. They can complement and work together well. I’m buying Art Deco lighting for my home (some original on Etsy for decent prices btw), but my furniture and art is a mix that includes plenty of clean lined MCM.
PRO
RL Relocation LLC
2 years ago
Oh this is my favorite lighting to do but I need photos for scale.

Related Stories

DECORATING 101 How to Choose a Dining Table Light

By Annie Thornton

Stumped about which chandelier, pendant or other lighting to choose? These design and installation guidelines will help

BATHROOM MAKEOVERS 21st-Century Amenities for an Old-Time Show House Bath

By Lawrence Karol

Updated but appropriate features help an old-fashioned bath in the 2014 DC Design House align with modern tastes

LIGHTING Choose Downlight Fixtures by Answering These 5 Easy Questions

By David K Warfel at LightCanHelpYou.com

These lighting decisions made with your pro can have a major impact on the function and feel of your home

EXTERIORS Help! What Color Should I Paint My House Exterior?

By Jennifer Ott Design

Real homeowners get real help in choosing paint palettes. Bonus: 3 tips for everyone on picking exterior colors

DECORATING GUIDES Could a Mission Statement Help Your House?

By Laura Gaskill

Identify your home’s purpose and style to make everything from choosing paint colors to buying a new home easier

LIGHTING Your Guide to Common Light Fixtures and How to Use Them

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Get to know pot lights, track lights, pendants and more to help you create an organized, layered lighting plan

DECLUTTERING Downsizing Help: Choosing What Furniture to Leave Behind

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

What to take, what to buy, how to make your favorite furniture fit ... get some answers from a homeowner who scaled way down

BATHROOM MAKEOVERS Room of the Day: See the Bathroom That Helped a House Sell in a Day

By Annie Thornton

Sophisticated but sensitive bathroom upgrades help a century-old house move fast on the market

LIGHTING Whip Up a Lighting Fixture From a Tart Tin

By Lauren Donaldson

Turn your old kitchen bakeware into an industrial-style hanging lamp with this clever DIY project

REMODELING GUIDES House Planning: How to Choose Tile

By Vanessa Brunner

Glass, Ceramic, Porcelain...? Three Basic Questions Will Help You Make the Right Pick

Sponsored

Premier Home Services, Inc

19 Reviews

Loudoun County Complete Turn-Key Contracting Solutions

More Discussions

Living room layout.

16

Need help with bathroom remodel color scheme please!

13

Bathroom Lighting Help!

0

Carved wooden panel above fireplace

7

How to turn this 90’s kitchen into cottage core?

4