Hallway and Entryway Ceiling Lights

Nearly 280 compact ceiling lights under 50 cm by Sollux, Ferroluce, Good & Mojo or Panzeri, in metal, ceramic, glass or bamboo, for the entrance hall and the hallway.

How to choose a hallway or entrance hall ceiling light

The essentials

A ceiling light for an entrance hall or hallway has to light a passage without getting in the way. Choose one that sits flush with the ceiling, with a diameter of 20 to 45 cm depending on the width of the room, and 100 to 150 lumens per m². In a hallway longer than 3 m, two or three small ceiling lights in a row are better than a single large one.

Diameter: 20 to 30 cm in a hallway less than one metre wide, 30 to 45 cm in an entrance hall of 4 to 8 m².
Height: keep around 2 m of headroom under the light, which means a model less than 20 cm deep under a 2.40 m ceiling.
Light: 100 to 150 lumens per m², at 2,700 to 3,000 K for an entrance hall, up to 4,000 K in a utility room or a service corridor.
Number: one ceiling light every 2 to 2.5 m in a long hallway, aligned along the centre line of the passage.

What diameter and height of ceiling light for a hallway or an entrance hall?

In a room you pass through, two measurements are enough: the width, which sets the diameter, and the ceiling height, which sets the depth of the ceiling light.

Room	Recommended diameter	Number of ceiling lights
Hallway less than 1 m wide	20 to 30 cm	1 every 2 to 2.5 m
Hallway 1 to 1.40 m wide	25 to 40 cm	1 every 2 to 2.5 m
Small entrance hall of less than 4 m²	25 to 35 cm	1 in the centre
Entrance hall of 4 to 8 m²	35 to 45 cm	1 in the centre, or 2 small ones

Rules of thumb, not fixed rules, for a ceiling height of 2.40 to 2.60 m.

The selection splits roughly in two: half are ceiling lights under 30 cm in diameter, half are between 30 and 49 cm. The former suit narrow hallways and rows of several light points. The latter give more presence to an entrance hall where you welcome guests.

What depth under a low ceiling?

The usual benchmark is to keep around 2 m of headroom under the lowest point of the light. Under a ceiling of 2.40 m or less, aim for a ceiling light 10 to 20 cm deep, which matches the majority of the models on offer. From 2.60 m, a taller model, of 25 to 30 cm, or a small glass globe has its place. Above 2.70 m, a short pendant light becomes possible in an entrance hall.

How to measureMeasure the width of the passage between the walls, then the ceiling height where the ceiling wiring point is. Also check that a tall cupboard door does not hit the light. In a narrow hallway, a diameter close to a third of the width gives a balanced result.

How many lumens and what colour temperature for an entrance hall ceiling light?

You walk through an entrance hall and a hallway, you do not read there. A benchmark of 100 to 150 lumens per m² is enough in most homes: a hallway of 5 m by 1 m therefore needs 500 to 750 lumens in total. A standard LED bulb of around 800 lumens covers a small entrance hall on its own.

Space	Indicative total output	Colour temperature	Effect
Entrance hall of 3 to 4 m²	400 to 600 lumens	2,700 to 3,000 K	Warm, welcoming
Entrance hall of 6 to 8 m²	800 to 1,200 lumens	2,700 to 3,000 K	Warm, welcoming
Hallway of 4 to 6 m²	500 to 900 lumens	3,000 K	Warm white, clear
Utility room, service corridor	600 to 1,000 lumens	3,000 to 4,000 K	Neutral white, functional

Orders of magnitude for light-coloured walls. With dark walls, allow a third more light.

One ceiling light or several?

In a hallway longer than 3 m, a single ceiling light leaves the ends in shadow. Plan one light point every 2 to 2.5 m, with the first and the last around 1 m from the end walls.

Which bulb should you choose?

Most of the ceiling lights in the selection take a bulb you change yourself, with an E27, E14 or GU10 cap depending on the model: you can therefore choose the shade of white and the output, or a smart bulb. A few models have integrated LEDs, which are flatter, but whose light source cannot be replaced separately.

What lighting for a windowless entrance hall or a narrow hallway?

With no daylight, the ceiling light does all the work. Three choices make a dark passage look bigger.

A diffuser that also lights the walls: an opal glass globe or a shade open at the sides sends light towards the walls. An opaque metal shade concentrates the beam towards the floor and closes the space in.
A light shade on the ceiling: a white ceiling light blends into a white ceiling and lets the light set the scene. White is the leading colour in the selection, with around fifty models, just ahead of black.
An even row: several small identical ceiling lights, fitted along the centre line, stretch the hallway and remove the patches of shadow between two doors.
Adjustable spotlights: a few models in the selection direct the light towards a mirror or a coat rail, useful when the wiring point is not centred.

Hallway less than one metre wide in a period flat

The height is often generous, the width much less so. Choose a diameter of 20 to 30 cm and a slightly deeper model, in glass or ceramic, which has character without narrowing the passage.

Family home with a low ceiling

Under 2.40 m, choose a flush ceiling light around ten centimetres deep, out of reach of raised arms. A closed diffuser is dusted with a wipe of a cloth.

By colour

Ceiling light, wall light, recessed spotlights or pendant light: what should you choose for a hallway?

The ceiling light is the simplest solution when a wiring point already exists on the ceiling: it goes up in place of the old light. The other solutions answer specific cases.

Light	Ceiling height	Building work	Light quality	Typical use
Ceiling light	Any, from 2.20 m	None if the wiring point exists	Diffuse, even	Standard entrance hall and hallway
Wall light	Any	Wiring point in the wall	From the side, atmospheric	Extra lighting in a hallway at least 1.10 m wide
Recessed spotlights	2.50 m and more with a false ceiling	False ceiling to be built	Directed, focused	Full renovation
Pendant light	2.70 m and more	None if the wiring point exists	Decorative, centred	Large entrance hall, stairwell

General benchmarks. A wall light projects 10 to 20 cm from the wall: in a very narrow hallway, it gets in the way.

The alternatives

Designer hallway ceiling light: metal, ceramic, glass or bamboo?

The material of the ceiling light affects the light as much as the style. The selection covers four main families.

Metal, nearly four models in ten: steel and aluminium lacquered in black, white or gold. Clean lines, a beam directed downwards, contemporary style. This is the territory of Sollux and Maytoni.
Ceramic, around fifty models: a matt, handcrafted look, bold colours, a soft light. This is the speciality of Ferroluce.
Glass, around forty models: opal for a light diffused in all directions, smoked or anthracite for a more subdued atmosphere. You will find it at It's about Romi and Belid.
Bamboo and rattan, around thirty models: the light filters through the weave and casts shadows on the walls. This is the world of Good & Mojo.

For the most architectural lines, look to Panzeri, Artemide or Sammode. As for prices, nearly half of the ceiling lights in the selection are offered at under €200, and nearly eight in ten at under €500.

Four ceiling lights for the entrance hall and the hallway

Belid Opal glass ceiling light Ø38 Bullo XL - Belid €331,95

Good & Mojo Black and natural bamboo ceiling light 30x8 cm Kalimantan - Good & Mojo €67,15

Black Metal LED Ceiling Light 767Lm Onda - Maytoni - The Cool Republic

Maytoni Onda black metal LED ceiling light 767 Lm - Maytoni €76,80

It's about Romi Round ceiling light in anthracite glass 28cm Brussels - It's about Romi €189,00

By material

How do you install or replace a hallway ceiling light?

Replacing one ceiling light with another is a routine job when the wiring point already exists.

Switch off the power at the consumer unit, and not just at the light switch, then check that the circuit is dead.
Take down the old light, noting the wires: live, neutral and earth.
Fix the mounting plate of the new ceiling light to the ceiling, with plugs suited to the surface: plasterboard, concrete or old plaster.
Connect the wires following the manufacturer's instructions, close the cover, fit the bulb and the diffuser, then switch the power back on.

In a rented home, keep the old light so you can put it back when you leave. If you are creating a new light point, if the wires are old or have no earth, or if you are in any doubt, leave the fitting to an electrician.

Motion sensor and damp entranceA motion sensor saves you hunting for the switch with your arms full. It can be built into the bulb, into the switch or installed separately: ask an electrician which solution suits your installation. If the entrance opens onto a shower room or the outdoors, check the IP rating of the light and have the position approved by an electrician.

Other rooms

Frequently asked questions

What diameter of ceiling light for a narrow hallway?

In a hallway less than one metre wide, a ceiling light 20 to 30 cm in diameter is enough and does not make the ceiling look cluttered. Between 1 m and 1.40 m wide, you can go up to 40 cm. A diameter close to a third of the width of the passage is a good benchmark.

How many ceiling lights do you need in a hallway?

Allow one ceiling light every 2 to 2.5 m of length. A 3 m hallway is lit by a single light point, a hallway of 5 to 6 m by two or three. Several small ceiling lights in a row light more evenly than one large model placed in the centre.

How many lumens for an entrance hall or a hallway?

A benchmark of 100 to 150 lumens per m² suits a room you pass through. A 4 m² entrance hall therefore needs 400 to 600 lumens, which is a single standard LED bulb. Add around a third if the walls are dark or if the shade is opaque.

Which colour temperature should you choose: 2,700 K, 3,000 K or 4,000 K?

For an entrance hall, a warm white of 2,700 to 3,000 K gives a welcoming light, close to that of the living room. In a hallway, 3,000 K remains the most versatile choice. Neutral white at 4,000 K is better suited to a utility room, a service corridor or a dressing room.

What lighting for an entrance hall with no window?

Choose a ceiling light with an opal glass diffuser or an open shade, which lights the walls as much as the floor. Aim for the top of the range, around 150 lumens per m², and paint the walls and ceiling in a light shade. A mirror placed opposite the light reflects it and makes the space feel bigger.

Which ceiling light should you choose with a low ceiling?

Under a ceiling of 2.40 m or less, choose a flush ceiling light 10 to 20 cm deep, to keep around 2 m of headroom. Avoid pendant lights and models on a rod. A light shade, close to that of the ceiling, makes the light more discreet.

Can you install a ceiling light in the entrance hall of a rented home?

Yes, as long as you use the existing wiring point and return the property to its original state when you leave. Keep the old light so you can refit it. For any change to the electrical installation itself, ask for the landlord's agreement and call in an electrician.

Ceiling light or recessed spotlights in a hallway?

A ceiling light is fitted to an existing wiring point, with no building work, and gives an even light. Recessed spotlights need a false ceiling, and therefore enough ceiling height and a bigger job. Outside a full renovation, the ceiling light is the simplest solution.