Globe ceiling light

A ball ceiling light is chosen by its diameter, from 10 to 31 cm depending on the room, and by the finish of its sphere: opal glass, smoked glass, metal, brass or woven bamboo. The socket then decides the bulb, E27 on large balls, E14 on small ones, G9 on compact models.

What is a ball ceiling light and what light does it give?

A ball ceiling light is a fixture mounted on the ceiling whose visible part is a sphere, in opal or smoked glass, metal, brass or woven bamboo, from 10 to 31 cm in diameter depending on the model. It lights diffusely, often in warm white 2700 to 3500 K, and part of the selection accepts a dimmer. Some models exist in multiple versions, with 2 to 5 balls, or as a chandelier.

Ball ceiling light in glass, metal, brass or bamboo: what is the sphere made of?

Opal glass gives the most even light: the source disappears behind the wall and nothing glitters. Smoked or clear glass softens less, but lets the bulb show and plays on contrast; this is the case with the Bora glass ball, 20 cm in diameter with an E27 socket. Metal, opaque, clearly marks the separation between the lit top and the bottom, as on the Viva black metal ceiling light, a 10 cm ball with a G9 socket. Brass and woven bamboo stand out by their finish: warm reflections for one, shadows cast on the ceiling for the other. To compare diffusing walls, browse the glass ceiling lights.

Warm white and dimmer: the mood of a ball ceiling light

Warm white, between 2700 and 3500 K, keeps a living room or bedroom cosy in the evening, where a cooler light chills the materials. On compatible models, the dimmer goes from a nightlight glow to full lighting without changing the bulb. Find these references among the dimmable ceiling lights; check the note on the product page, as the bulb must also be dimmable.

LED ball ceiling light: which bright model to choose?

An LED ball ceiling light takes two forms: an integrated LED module, which is changed with the fixture, or a model with an E27, E14 or G9 socket in which you choose the bulb. For a living room, a hallway or an entrance, the replaceable socket lets you adjust the power and the light temperature.

Modern LED ceiling light: integrated module or bulb to change?

The integrated module has the advantage of slimness: no visible bulb, a clean design on the ceiling, and it is replaced with the fixture at the end of its life. The socket model does the opposite: you keep the ball and change the bulb, choosing its power and colour. Both families coexist in the LED ceiling lights, up to you to see whether you prefer the simplicity of the module or the flexibility of the socket.

Powerful LED ceiling light: what to check before ordering?

Look at three lines of the product page: the socket (E27, E14 or G9), the stated power, and the light temperature. A fixture rated at 15 W will not light like an 8 W model, and a compact ball placed near the ceiling dazzles more than a wide model. The maximum power of the bulb to install is the one stated by the fixture manufacturer, not that of the bulb you already have.

LED living room ceiling light: which model for even light?

In a living room, look for a large diffusing surface rather than a single point: an opal glass globe, a 50 cm wide piece or a large plate. The KUUL B ceiling light covers a table or a living area without creating a dark zone. If the room is high, a hanging version brings the light closer to the eye and makes the ceiling look less bare. Compare these formats in the selection of modern ceiling lights.

Where to install a ball ceiling light: living room, bedroom, kitchen or hallway?

The ball goes anywhere the ceiling is free. In a living room, a large or hanging model lights the whole space; in a bedroom, a small diameter glass ball is enough; in a kitchen and a hallway, a compact version with an E27 or G9 socket stays discreet.

Living room and large living room ceiling light: what size to choose?

For a standard living room, a globe or ball 15 to 25 cm in diameter is enough. In a large living room, go up a notch: a 50 cm wide piece or a sphere hanging from the ceiling fills the volume without saturating it. The OIO A 3P ceiling light in glass and brass becomes a landmark above a coffee table. Living room lighting also depends on secondary sources.

Bedroom ceiling light: the right diameter above the bed

In a bedroom, the ball works near the bed, often in soft light. A diameter of 20 cm centred on the room suits a standard bedroom, with an E27 socket to choose a low power bulb. The Bora glass ball, 20 cm, comes in smoked or clear glass and sits on the ceiling as well as near a headboard. Bedroom ceiling lights bring together these compact formats.

Trendy kitchen ceiling light: the finishes that work

In a kitchen, the ball must stay understated and be easy to clean: closed opal glass, painted metal, matte black. The KUUL C ceiling light in Japanese style matches modern fronts. Avoid woven materials above a cooking area, where splashes and steam damage them faster. See also kitchen ceiling lights.

IP20 or IP44: which ball ceiling light for a bathroom?

The IP rating indicates protection against dust and water. In a bathroom or a workshop, an IP44 ball ceiling light resists splashes; elsewhere, IP20 is enough. The collection offers IP44 balls in metal and glass, with an E27 or G9 socket.

Ball ceiling light for a bathroom: the IP44 models

Above a sink or in a damp room, take a model certified IP44. The PLAAT B IP44 ceiling light, in metal, glass and brass, mounts on an E27 socket; it comes in black, white and gold. The KUUL B IP44 ceiling light, with a G9 socket, suits lower rooms, and the HALO IP44 ceiling light comes in many colours. Find them among the bathroom models.

IP20 versus IP44: what the rating really protects

IP20 protects against solid objects over 12 mm and provides nothing against water: an IP20 ball suits a bedroom, living room, hallway or office. IP44 adds protection against water splashes from all directions, which covers a bathroom, a workshop or a damp room. The rating says nothing about the quality of the light; the two criteria are read separately.

Black, white or gold ball ceiling light: which finish to choose?

The finish mainly changes the look when switched off. A white ball in opal glass goes unnoticed on the ceiling and diffuses a neutral light; a black ball structures the room and stands out when the fixture is off; gold brass warms a contemporary interior.

White ball ceiling light: the most discreet on the ceiling

On a white ceiling, a white ball almost disappears and the light stays neutral. It is the choice for bright rooms and small surfaces, where you want light without drawing an object on the ceiling. White is common in opal glass and aluminium; it goes with white ceiling lights and suits a minimalist interior as well as a more classic decor.

Black, gold or red ball ceiling light: playing on contrast

Black is the most widespread shade here, often linked to metal and to contemporary and minimalist styles. Gold, carried by brass, warms a bright interior and stands out in gold ceiling lights. Red and beige serve as accents, on a compact ball or a wide piece placed above a table. For a dark ceiling, black ceiling lights blend into the decor instead of cutting through it.

Original ceiling light: hanging ball, globe or openwork ball?

Moving away from the flat ceiling light means playing with format and material: a ball hanging far from the ceiling, a smoked glass globe, an openwork sphere in woven bamboo that casts shadows, or a large square piece 95 cm for a large living room.

Faceted or smoked glass ball ceiling light: what finish?

A faceted ball throws off glints as soon as the light is strong; the effect is very marked and shifts with the viewpoint. Smoked glass does the opposite: it absorbs part of the light and diffuses it more softly, while letting the bulb be guessed at. Clear glass, for its part, clearly shows the source and calls for an attractive bulb, of the filament type.

Hanging ball ceiling light: when to choose a drop model?

A drop model is justified when the ceiling is high, when the room is vast, or when the light must come down towards a table. The total height then rises to 160 cm on some models, against 12 to 37 cm for a fixed ceiling light. Check the clearance height: under a pendant, you walk without ducking.

Ball ceiling light or ball floor lamp: the same spirit, two uses

The sphere exists both on the ceiling and on the floor. A ball floor lamp places the same shape at eye level and lights a reading corner without touching the ceiling. In a room where the ceiling is already taken, or in a home where you do not drill, the floor lamp takes over. The choice is made on use: overall light on the ceiling, accent light on the floor.

Which socket to choose for a ball ceiling light: E27, E14 or G9?

E27 is the large screw socket, widespread and available everywhere; E14 is its reduced version for small balls; G9 is a small pin socket, common on compact models and damp rooms. Always check the socket stated on the fixture page.

E27 socket: the choice for large living room balls

E27 accepts the most common bulbs, including filament models and connected bulbs. It is found on large balls and wide pieces: the TORNI A 3P ceiling light, the openwork bamboo ball Sumba 31 cm, or the PLAAT B ceiling light in 20 cm. It is the socket that leaves the most freedom when changing bulbs.

Wicker, rattan or bamboo ceiling light: woven balls

Wicker, rattan and bamboo refer to the same spirit of natural weaving. The openwork ball Sumba, in black bamboo 31 cm, lets light through the mesh and draws shadows on the ceiling and walls. It sits in a living room, a bedroom or an entrance, away from a damp area, and is dusted dry without moisture.

How to install and maintain a ball ceiling light?

A ball ceiling light screws onto a ceiling junction box: cut the power, connect live, neutral and earth, then fix the fixture. The total height varies from 12 to 37 cm depending on the models, and up to 160 cm for hanging versions.

At what height to place a ball ceiling light?

A fixed ceiling light sits flush with the ceiling: its total height determines the clearance under the fixture. For a hanging version above a table, allow around 70 to 80 cm between the bottom of the fixture and the tabletop, depending on the width of the table and the height of the guests. Above a worktop, stay higher to keep the view clear.

Maintenance: glass, metal, brass and bamboo

Glass is cleaned with a microfibre cloth and a non-abrasive glass cleaner, with the power off and cold. Metal needs a soft, dry cloth; brass, a dry cloth without abrasive product, which lets the patina settle. Woven bamboo is dusted dry, without moisture. In all cases, cut the power before working and let the bulb cool.

Frequently asked questions about the ball ceiling light

Choosing and ordering your ball ceiling light

Secure payment, tracked delivery, returns and Designix customer service accompany every order. First set the diameter and the socket on the product page, then order the bulb in the same go: that is the step that avoids a round trip. Browse our lighting catalogue and the ceiling light lighting range to place the ball among the other shapes, or start directly from all the ceiling lights. For a hallway or an entrance, hallway models fit in small diameters.

The HALO IP44 ceiling light in aluminium opens the way for a damp room, the KUUL C IP44 ceiling light for low volumes. Need a wider round format? Look at round ceiling lights and metal ceiling lights, then all Designix lighting if you are also looking for a non-spherical shape.