For those looking for a contemporary light fitting with some subtle decorative details that won’t take up vast amounts of space, mid-century modern flush mount lighting might be just the ticket.
This timeless style will brighten up spaces in an instant, but it can be hard to know what fixture will work best with your chosen room, especially if you have a low ceiling and don’t want to give up valuable headspace.
Read on to see 21 inspirational mid-century flush mount light fixture ideas that will leave both you and your home glowing!
Our Top Three
What is Flush Mount Lighting?
Flush mount lights sit flat against the ceiling, offering ambient lighting that’s projected down towards the floor. This style of lighting is perfect for those with lower ceiling heights as it doesn’t hang low, unlike pendant lighting. The flush nature of the lights also helps to keep dust at bay from the bulb and inside of the shade.
Although this lighting style lacks the dramatic lengths of pendant and chandelier light fixtures, that doesn’t make flush mount lighting any less impactful as the shades and hardware are often visually striking and well-designed.
Flush Mount Mid-Century Modern Lighting | 21 Styles
When it comes to choosing a mid-century modern flush mount light, there are several ways to tackle it, but the two most common are by style or room. Of course, these two factors will have a significant impact on the decision you make. We’ve compiled two lists to help make your choice easier:
By Room:
1. Mid-Century Modern Living Room Flush Light
This walnut effect light is perfect for a mid-century modern style and would look elegant in a living room setting. Keep the room balanced with a walnut coffee table paired with rich jewel toned cushions and a rug.
Pros
- Works well with mid-century modern déco
- Adds depth and texture thanks to the wood finish.
Cons
- Won’t suit certain wood tones found in other furniture.
- Can be overpowering as it is a dark shade.
2. Mid-Century Modern Outdoor Flush Mount Lighting
Round and geometric shapes are common in mid-century modern inspired styles, so these small circular flush mount lights are perfect for outdoor settings as they offer direct lighting to the ground without being overpowering.
Sitting flush to the ceiling, they are less likely to catch any rainfall within the lamp shade, as well as staying clear of garden dirt and grime.
Pros
- Easy to maintain.
- Direct light to pathway underneath.
Cons
- Simple design.
3. Mid-Century Modern Hallway Flush Lighting
Hallways are task-based areas where people are forever putting shoes on and taking coats off; as such, they need to be well lit. Using a flush light fixture performs this role well, especially if you have a small hallway or low ceiling height, because flush mount lights don’t hang low or clutter up space.
Pros
- Keeps spaces clean and uncluttered.
- Good for small halls or low ceilings.
- Provides good lighting for optimum visibility.
4. Mid-Century Modern Bathroom Flush Light
Mid-century modern décor is right on-trend for bathrooms right now. It’s perfect for a stylish (yet relaxing) environment, and this light fitting with its gold hardware and frosted shade will only serve to enhance that.
Pros
- Gold hardware will add warmth.
- Frosted shade creates a soft ambience.
Cons
- Frosted glass dims light.
5. Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Flush Mount Light
Add depth and texture with a ribbed, crystal-effect drum light. This would look great as a statement light fitting over a dining table. It would add a gentle, rippled lighting in the dining room, bright enough for visibility without being disruptive for dinner guests.
Pros
- Statement light that would be a focal point of a dining room.
Cons
- Not a bright light.
6. Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Flush Lighting
For a subtle and elegant light fixture, opt for a brushed metal shade. Warm brass tones are a beautiful and versatile choice that work well with mid-century modern themes. Whether you have a dark bedroom colour scheme or have kept things light and airy in soft neutrals, this metal flush mount light shade will fit in nicely.
Pros
- Brass works well in most colour schemes.
- Brass is a popular material for mid-century modern décor.
Cons
- The exposed bulb can make the lighting harsh.
7. Mid-Century Modern Dressing Room Flush Mount Lighting
Dressing rooms require good lighting as they are a functional space and, let’s face it, no one wants to get dressed in the dark!
A flush mount ceiling light will work well in a space like this as it provides high levels of bright light, but you will likely want to use some other forms of lighting to further enhance the space and take on the role of task lighting.
The light in this image is the perfect balance between bright lighting and a stylish fixture that adds to the design of the room.
Pros
- Bright light that will illuminate the space.
- Geometric style works well with mid-century modern décor.
Cons
- Large light fittings that take up ceiling space won’t work in smaller dressing rooms.
- It won’t be useful for task lighting.
8. Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount Kitchen Lighting
If you’re looking for flush mount mid-century lighting in your kitchen, this water ripple effect light is a great choice.
Reminiscent of the classic ‘atomic age’ mid-century modern lights that were seen in the 90s, the black metal band adds to the contemporary style of this light and gives it an elegant finish.
Combine with black metal spotlights in areas of the kitchen where tasks are commonly performed.
Pros
- Similar to atomic age lighting style.
- Frosted shade creates a soft ambience.
Cons
- The textured glass dims the amount of light emitted.
9. Mid-Century Modern Laundry Room Flush Mount Lighting
These domed flush mount lights offer good levels of brightness in this functional laundry room. The round shape combined with black metal hardware offers a great balance between contemporary and traditional that’s perfect for mid-century modern lighting. Use recessed can lights to further brighten the space.
Pros
- The exposed glass shades allow for bright light in a task-focused room.
Cons
- The small size of these light fitting means you would likely need more than one.
10. Mid-Century Modern Loft Room Flush Mount Light
Flush mount lights can be hard to install if you have a vaulted ceiling, which is common for loft rooms, but it isn’t impossible to do. If you have a flat ceiling in your loft bedroom, as this image shows, then you could easily install your mid-century modern flush mount ceiling light to it. Add ambience by adding LED strip lights around the edges.
Pros
- Can be a feature over the bed.
Cons
- Won’t work as easily on a pitched roof.
By Style:
1. Star Mid-Century Modern Flush Light
This geometric star shaped light is a real statement piece for a room, with a warm toned light and the brass tones of the fixture, this is perfect for a mid-century modern setting.
Pros
- Brass works well with mid-century modern themes.
Cons
- Quite an angular light.
- Could be overpowering in smaller spaces.
2. Scalloped Mid-Century Modern Flush Light
This modern-shaped light fitting offers gently sculpted shapes that soften harsh lines in the room. The soft light is perfect for creating a relaxed mid-century modern setting.
Pros
- Soft shape breaks up harsh lines.
Cons
- The warm tone of the light can make it look more dated.
3. Mid-Century Modern Sunburst Light
Bring the sunshine inside with this sunburst light that offers plenty of drama without detracting from the rest of the room. The warm brass tones and shape of this light fixture lend themselves perfectly to a mid-century modern room.
Pros
- Statement light.
Cons
- Wouldn’t suit all room types.
4. Mid-Century Modern Black Flush Mount Lighting
For a subtle mid-century modern light fitting, a frosted globe shade with black hardware would be perfectly suited. The frosted shade will provide a gentle glow without flooding the room with light. Pair with darker-toned wood furniture to perfectly suit the theme.
Pros
- Subtle light fixture.
Cons
- Frosted glass can dim light down so won’t work well in a space where a lot of light is required.
5. Mid-Century Modern Gold Flush Light
Add a modern twist to textured glass by pairing it with gold or soft brass hardware. This is a super chic way of adding lighting to your room that adds a contemporary opulence to your mid-century modern space.
Pros
- Opt for brushed gold to keep the look modern.
Cons
- Gold hardware won’t work in all rooms.
6. Mid-Century Modern Halo Flush Light
Create a stunning feature on your ceiling with a halo flush mount light. This eye-catching fixture will open a room and dazzle all who see it. The circular shape of this fixture works perfectly as a mid-century modern addition to any space.
Pros
- Makes a great feature light.
Cons
- Not hugely functional as the light it gives out is limited.
7. Round Mid-Century Modern Flush Mount Lighting
Round shapes lend themselves well to mid-century modern styles, and this multi-halo light with bronze details is a great example of that. This style offers more light than its single halo counterpart but will take up more ceiling space.
Pros
- Not hugely functional as the light it gives out is limited.
Cons
- It would require a large ceiling space.
8. Coloured Hardware Mid-Century Modern Flush Light
Add a gentle pop of colour with these yellow flush mount ceiling fixtures, featuring dropped glass shades, that offer a contemporary warmth to a room. These will perfectly complement the colour palette of mid-century modern rooms.
Pros
- Perfect for a pop of colour.
Cons
- Yellow won’t work for all rooms.
9. Mid-Century Modern Semi Flush Mount Light
Semi flush mount ceiling lights allow for an uplit effect whilst still providing direct light towards the ground. Generally, they allow for better ambient lighting than a standard flush light without taking away much space. For a mid-modern century fixture, keep to round shapes with soft brushed metals, like this fixture above shows.
Pros
- Allows for better ambient lighting.
Cons
- You will lose some headspace.
10. Mid-Century Modern Atomic Age Flush Mount Ceiling Lighting
Atomic age lighting was originally popular in the 1940s to 1960s but had a reinvention as part of mid-century modern décor. The bubbled glass that is evocative of this style creates a gentle, ambient lighting that adds depth to a space.
Pros
- Pretty textured glass.
Cons
- Hard to find true atomic age light fittings, with most being reproductions.
- Can look old-fashioned.
11. Mid-Century Modern Crystal Flush Mount Light
For those who like their sparkle, mid-century modern décor works tremendously well with patterned and pretty glass elements. You may think it isn’t possible to find a flush mount chandelier, but they do exist! They add texture to a room as well as a chic and understated glamour.
Pros
- Adds dimension and texture.
- Subtle opulence.
Cons
- The traditional chandelier shape is lost with flush mount versions.
Summary
If you’re looking for a cool way to update your lighting, then mid-century modern flush mount lighting will do just that. Look for brushed and warm brass tones, textured glass and curved geometric designs. This style captures the best of timeless elegance with a contemporary edge that can work in a multitude of homes.
