Which light fittings to light your entrance hall

Which light fittings to light your entrance hall?

The entrance hall is just as important as any other room, because it is where your guests get a first glimpse of the atmosphere and décor of your home. This busy space, with people constantly coming and going, should also feel warm, friendly and welcoming. Alongside the décor, light fittings play a decisive role in creating the cosy atmosphere your entrance should give off, whatever its size. Many types of fitting can be used to light an entrance hall. From pendants and ceiling lights to wall lights and recessed fittings, the choice is wide and will depend mainly on your taste and the atmosphere you want to create from the moment people step through your front door.

Choosing entrance hall lighting: the key criteria

Before choosing the light fittings for your entrance, there are a few things to take into account. First, assess the size of your entrance and its ceiling height. This will determine the type of fitting, the light output and the colour temperature. Allow 100 to 150 lumens per m² for light output; the ideal colour temperature is around 2700 kelvin. This warm temperature creates a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere in any season. For an entrance with a high ceiling, the best choice is an imposing fitting with several light points. An oversized pendant or a large ceiling light can provide the general lighting in this case. For an entrance with an average ceiling height, medium-sized fittings work best. Be careful not to choose large fittings for the general lighting here, as they can make the space feel crowded and cluttered. As well as the size of the entrance, think about the furniture and decorative accessories in it. If you have a console table, a mirror or a small corner table topped with a catch-all tray, light these pieces with wall lights, adjustable spotlights or table lamps.

A wide choice of light fittings for your entrance

Your entrance reflects the décor and atmosphere of your whole home. Whatever its size or layout, be sure to fit lights that give strong, sufficient light so you can see clearly, especially when you come home in the evening. To help you choose, follow this guide to the best light fittings for your entrance:

• Pendants for the entrance:

  When it comes to the general lighting of a room, the pendant is simply a must. In the entrance hall, it will give your guests a warm welcome. To make a good first impression, be bold with shapes and choose graphic, geometric, one-of-a-kind pendants. As for materials, consider premium materials such as glass, aged metal, steel or copper. Alternatively, choose pendants in natural materials to bring a cosy, bohemian atmosphere to your entrance. Beyond materials, consider the size of your entrance when choosing a pendant. If you have a small entrance with a lower-than-average ceiling, choose a small or medium pendant with a flared shade. If your entrance is large, however, don't hesitate to choose an oversized pendant to keep things in proportion and avoid lighting faux pas.

• Recessed light fittings for the entrance :

  Whether spotlights, ceiling lights or other recessed fittings, these lights can easily be used in your entrance. As task or supplementary lighting, recessed fittings are ideal for lighting this welcoming space effectively yet discreetly. You can even create a false ceiling with recessed spotlights to light a console table, a corner table or part of your entrance and make it brighter. Recessed fittings also have the advantage of suiting every interior style. Whether your décor is contemporary, vintage, futuristic, Nordic or industrial, recessed fittings will blend perfectly into your entrance. Space-saving, far from harsh and giving soft, targeted light, recessed fittings are ideal for adding extra lighting to your entrance.

• Ceiling lights:

  Whether surface-mounted or recessed, ceiling lights can also provide the general lighting for an entrance. Geometric, classic or futuristic, ceiling lights come in many shapes, so choose one to suit your taste and décor. For a large entrance, choose large ceiling lights with several light points to ensure excellent lighting. For a medium-sized entrance, a medium ceiling light works well, while a minimalist model suits a small entrance. Paired with recessed spotlights, table lamps or even a floor lamp, ceiling lights are the ideal choice and a must for a modern, on-trend and welcoming entrance.

• Table lamps:

  If you have a console table, a corner table or a shelf in your entrance, consider adding table lamps for ambient lighting. Ambient lighting is essential, particularly in large entrances or entrances with furniture. Your table lamps could be classic, designer, vintage or minimalist models suited to an intimate, pared-back décor. To add a touch of whimsy to your entrance, you can pair your table lamps with a pendant while playing with the heights of these fittings. Create contrast in your décor, too, by choosing table lamps in colours that stand out against your walls or furniture. Gold lamps against blue walls, brown table lamps against beige or pink walls, or black lamps against white walls: there are plenty of ways to play with contrasting lamp colours in your entrance. Do, however, choose lamps with a large shade or a bare bulb to make sure the light spreads widely.

• Wall lights:

  Wall lights can provide the general lighting in an entrance. They are in fact the perfect choice, as they let you move around the entrance without being bothered by, say, an oversized pendant. This is especially true for small entrances in flats or studios. Place two or three wall lights in your entrance to give strong, diffused light. For best results, space them 1.50 or 2 m apart. Be careful not to overdo it, though: allow one wall light every 2 m at most. As for design, choose wall lights in a classic style for a traditional décor or a Nordic design for a Scandinavian décor. It is up to you to choose the style and colour of your wall lights to bring warmth, conviviality and a cosy atmosphere to your home, starting with your entrance hall.