Things are looking up.

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Ceiling lights play a vital role in dictating a room’s overall vibe. Expert Brigette Romanek agrees, “There is nothing like beautiful lighting to set up a space,” she reveals on The Expert Podcast.

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More than just a source of ambiance, choosing the right overhead lighting is a choice that plagues designers and homeowners alike. “I have clients who get scared and want to put tons of cans in the ceiling ‘just in case’,” says Jake Arnold. But the designer implores his clients to ditch recessed fixtures in favor of intentionally underlit spaces that exude warmth and comfort.

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From one-of-a-kind vintage chandeliers to handcrafted pendants, here are the 12 ceiling lights our Experts love to use to create warm and moody interiors.

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For a Globe Ceiling Light

“I love that the Knit Wit pendant has a simple form, making it flexible for so many applications and offering softness for that perfect glow.” —Julia Miller, Yond Interiors

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For a Californian-Inspired Ceiling Light

“Del Playa is the street I grew up on in Santa Barbara. I started this collection with abstract mood boards of driftwood, surfer kids, and earthy ceramic pottery from California. I feel really proud of the result.” —Jessica Helgerson

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For a Sleek Ceiling Light

“Like all the lighting I design, I created this pendant while working on a client project when I couldn’t find the right piece. Each fixture is created by a local artisan.” —Monica Stewart, The Misfit House

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For a Textured Ceiling Light

“I love unexpected uses of traditional material, and this pendant light is exactly that! To make a chain out of bamboo rings is so clever and playful. I get inspired every time I look at this fixture!” —Noz Nozawa

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For a Sophisticated Ceiling Light

“I adore this Workstead fixture—the proportions make it playful yet sophisticated and it strikes the perfect balance between modern and traditional sensibilities.” —Heidi Lachapelle

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For a Traditional Ceiling Light

“I love this light. It has the signature details throughout my Hudson Valley Lighting collection, like the ring at the top and the ball where the arms meet. It's a great pendant for a breakfast room table or kitchen island. It's really beautiful in person and the quality is great.” —Mark D. Sikes

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For an Abstract Ceiling Light

“The playful silhouette and refined materials of this fixture make it one of my favorite lights. The shape is so whimsical as if the designer took a 3D paintbrush and made a gesture that became the framework. The fact that each of the porcelain shades is made organically so they are all different is pure joy.” —Noz Nozawa

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For a Versatile Ceiling Light

“A forever classic. This light is so versatile and always looks incredible in any space we use it.” —Heidi Lachapelle

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For a Playful Ceiling Light

“This Lawson-Fenning brass dome pendant is an anchoring piece. We’re obsessed with it. It’s a little cheeky.” —Annie Ritz, And And And Studio

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For a Statement Ceiling Light

“This chandelier can easily swing a traditional dining room into a totally different direction. It’s light and airy but also architectural, and the chain detailing is simple and pretty. It's perfection.” —Heidi Caillier

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For a Sculptural Ceiling Light

“I couldn't love the sculptural nature of this light any more for a dining room. The organic shape combined with the silk shades is perfect in my mind.” —Julia Miller, Yond Interiors

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