In my humble opinion, brass fixtures are both the most exciting thing to shop for (they’re SOOOO pretty) and the most frustrating (if you’re on any kind of budget). They can be pretty pricey! But I have to say I don’t always think that is a bad thing. Light fixtures are one of those categories in home decor where you really get what you pay for, so I consider them worth saving up for and sacrificing other things for. As I’ve been hunting for the perfect fixtures for our new home, I’ve often chosen less expensive or DIY solutions on other items to be able to afford a fixture because I think they will be the highlight of a room and something we will appreciate for years to come. It’s also worth mentioning that many of these companies are producing products that are handmade in the USA.
Today I am here to share beautiful designs at any price range, starting at under $100. Can I get an amen?
No?
OK…let’s get started!
$100 and under 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11 (plus the mysterious one with no number—oops)
$100-$250 1/2/3/4/5 (similar) /6/7/8/9 (similar) 10/11/12/13/14/15 (*oops! here’s the cute globe sconce with no number!)
$250-$500 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14 (#8—the first thing I purchased for our new home was a set of these for the living room!)
$500-$1000 1 (similar) /2/3/4/5 (similar) /6/7/8/9/10
$1000+ 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14 (#7 is Jonathan Adler, but I can’t find a link. Let me know if you know the source) And here’s the opening image link.
Truth be told, I had to cut myself off in this price range because there are a lot of amazing fixtures and I could have found about fifty more. Haha! Can we all just ooh and awe in unison? (Thanks—I needed that…)
Just one more thing! Light bulbs. No matter how inexpensive or super expensive your fixture is, cool light bulbs will make it look better and the wrong ones can really cheapen the look. They have a decent selection of Edison-style bulbs at places like Home Depot or Lowes. But for really unique bulbs, my go-to is Schoolhouse Electric and Rejuvenation. *Image above via Schoolhouse Electric.
Haha! I hope that was as fun for you as it was for me. I had SO MUCH fun writing this. See something I missed? Leave me a comment with your favorite brass light fixture. I always learn cool stuff from you guys! Don’t forget to check out our favorite DIY Brass Light Fixtures as well. xo- Elsie
ps- If you like this post, please pin it!
Credits//Author: Elsie Larson. Photography sources linked throughout.
45 Comments
As someone who works at a mom and pop lighting store, I think it is worth mentioning that there are tons of fixtures and bulbs available through small businesses like us that you can’t find online. Plus, our pricing is way better! I love online shopping too, don’t get me wrong! Just something to be said for checking out your local lighting store.
Totally! What city are you in?
xx- Elsie
Thanks so much for this post! You just saved me a ton of time researching. I’m dying to install a brass light fixture over our dinning room table and thanks to your help I think I’ve have found the perfect one that fits our budget 🙂
I am actually a lighting designer, and I must say this is one of my favorite posts yet (for obvious reasons). As a side note on the “light bulbs” (which are actually called lamps), may I offer some advice? I realize this is a little presumptuous, but I feel very passionate about it. The Edison type lamps are very pretty (in addition to the others that are not tipped or frosted), keep in mind if you are at all sensitive to glare, these are not in your best interest. Something frosted is probably the way to go. If you are installing a fixture with no uplight, then the silver tip is a nice choice; it will bounce light off the top of the fixture and then be directed down without having to look up into light blasting in your face while you are trying to eat and entertain. Another good tip, if you do not wish your room to feel like a “cave” (or feel intimate–which does a set a nice mood in a dining space) a light fixture with any uplight will keep your space and ceiling well lit and feel more open and inviting. Again, I apologize for the rambling, but I LOVED this post. Thanks for sharing. (and I appreciated the post prior to about smaller lighting companies, they typically know their “stuff” better than the big box stores and will usually work with you to give you the look you want).
Thank you for this overview and some AWESOME eye candy! That being said, I do have to make the argument that I feel a lot of these fixtures may not be options when you are trying to be environmentally conscious by using eco-friendly (CFL) bulbs. I haven’t seen a lot of options yet for really stylish CFLs, but in my home we can’t justify the added expense or impact of regular bulbs. If anyone knows of any stylish, eco-conscious choices, PLEASE let me know!! 🙂
Loved it! Pinned it! I live with my tall husband in a ranch-style house from the 50s with low ceilings, so I unfortunately can’t do any fixtures with a drop, but there are some cute sconces and flush-mounts here I’ll have to check out.
Saving this for later! Great options!
http://www.kristajacobs.blogspot.com
I actually found some old school bulbs at HOMEGOODS!
Totally ooohing and aweing over here! Love that you did a price range! Makes those brass dreams attainable!
http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com
What a beautiful post!
Hey Laurient (beautiful name, by the way),
I’m so glad it was helpful!! 🙂 Send me an Instagram when you finish your install! I can’t wait to see what you choose.
xx- Elsie
Hey Chari,
Wow- what a dream job!
Thanks for correcting my terminology! I’ll call them lamps from now on. :))
Great advice about the frosted. I think my instincts were telling me that because so far that’s all I’ve ordered (even though the others are soooo pretty!)
Thanks for sharing your tips!
Elsie
I’d love to know too!
-Elsie
Yes- I LOVE those flush mount sputniks. Also, CB2 has a new one that’s really good looking. I think I forgot to include it here- oops!
We have some lower ceilings too, in our basement.
xx- Elsie
Awesome note!
-Elsie
I have the School House Electric Plaza Chandelier (#1 in the $250-500 range) and I am totally in-love. It looks even better in the space. You can see how I have it set up over my dining room table here: http://www.peonyandgrahams.com/2015/07/the-great-bookshelf-edit.html
So many beautiful options, I just love lighting. I will say though, that many near the top are actually copper, not brass! However, finding good brass under $100 is a difficult thing to do. I love copper just as much though!
Hey Stacy-
Yep. You are correct! I meant to add a little disclaimer about the copper. Oops. I love it just as much too and it IS a lot easier to find in the under $100 range for some reason.
xx- Elsie
Looks amazing!
xx- Elsie
Wow! Very, very informative. I think I like#5 and #7 on the $100 and under.. plus, those are the only ones I can afford. haha.
–Samantha
http://www.BesosFromAmerica.com
Thank you so much for finding these awesome lighting fixtures!! My husband and I are currently house hunting, and one of the first things I want to install once we move in are some awesome brass lighting fixtures!! There are some great fixtures at amazing prices, so I’m excited to do a little shopping!
Love you, your blog, and this post!
xoxo, Lauren
Dressing Dallas
On the $100-$250 list there’s another mysterious one with no number — can you link a source?? Love this whole roundup!
LEDs are obviously more expensive, but they are more energy efficient in most cases. Here is a company that actually makes an LED Edison style as well as many of the other bulb shapes:
http://www.archipelagolighting.com/
i clicked through for the ‘every budget’ness’ … but of course i love the over $300 haleigh pendant! split that up over a year of light nights and it’s a bargain, right??
Also, having worked for a family lighting store, ALWAYS go check them out for light bulbs! They are usually better quality than you can find at big box stores, and better priced! They’ll have the cool ones too! 🙂
I just discovered http://www.fleamarketrx.com that has some gorgeous affordable brass sconces & ceiling lights in styles that I haven’t seen anywhere else. Incredible detailing and beautiful craftsmanship. Check out the Bloom & Fleurette collections – stunning!
We have awesome brass lighting too!! We are a husband/wife run company and make pretty sweet UL listed brass lighting too 🙂 So sad we didn’t make this list!
I love the geometric wire ones.
-M
http://www.violetroots.com
Great post, Els! What a great resource.
Carrie
http://www.wearwherewell.com
I am in Ambler, PA ! This is a fun bunch of fixtures for sure…always love those Jonathon Adler ones!
Yay for a fellow (former) family lighting store employee! Not too often I “meet” others who have worked for one!
Ughhh! I’m so sorry!
Here you go- https://www.etsy.com/listing/237691980/orb-sconce?ref=shop_home_active_3 (using those in one of our bathrooms- SO EXCITED!)
Thanks for letting me know!
xx- Elsie
I am for real ok with sacrificing a lot of other things to be able to afford cool lights. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!
xx- Elsie
LEDs are more expensive sometimes…depends on the bulb (lamp) you are looking for. But I LOVE that companies are now coming out with LED versions of Edison bulbs!! This is the company that we buy them from (I work at a small lighting store) and these are generally the least expensive LED specialty lamps plus they look AMAZING in person:
http://www.bulbrite.com/products_en_12_164_0_0_0-LED-Filaments.php
Also, Plumen makes some amazing energy efficient bulbs with great style!
http://plumen.com/
Very cute picks http://www.hannamarielei.com
I was reading a blog post else where all about using brass and copper as lights, and as other points of interest around the home as well. Its def trending at the mo!
Thanks
http://www.homemadebyhail.blogspot.com
Gosh these are amazing! My favourites are actually from the cheaper ranges, woo hoo!
I love all of these. I actually like a lot of the lower price range the most! Thanks!
– Kaitlyn | http://www.TheCrownFox.com
Thank you Chari! 🙂
Elsie
Oh my goodness, I can’t even begin to tell you how much I loved this post. I’m not a home owner yet, but absolutely love everything about interior design and can’t wait until I can shop for things like this! My favorites are definitely those geometric shaped ones. I love the industrial feel. Anything coppery and brassy is amazing. (:
They also have some pretty neat ones here all the way at the bottom of the page: http://www.westelm.com/shop/lighting/pendants/?cm_type=gnav
I love the Magical Thinking Geo Pendant by Urban Outfitters. I wonder if we have something similar in Australia. It’ll look fabulous in our living room.
SO many neat fixtures! Thanks for including such a range of prices, too.
Hi, I’m the writer, blogger, and social media guy at Hudson Valley Lighting. I just wanted to say that you made our day! My manager is a HUGE fan of your blog; she’s used it as an example many times. We are so psyched and honored to see you picked our Marlow sconce and Lyons and Roundout pendants. Personally, I LOVE brass and am thrilled to see the comeback it is undergoing. Perfect timing coming across your post, because I was in the midst of (re)writing the copy about our Aged Brass finish for our new website (unveiling any day now),and was feeling a little uninspired, even though it’s my favorite. This put some wind in my sails.
On behalf of Hudson Valley Lighting, I would also like to thank you for pointing out that lighting is a category where you pay for what you get.
Don’t know how you feel about links in comments, so I humbly submit that if you are interested in reading more about brass or Edison-Style lamps, I have written posts on them (with pretty juicy Pinterest boards to match):
“Copper and Its Alloys: Brass and Bronze Metallics Applied at Home”
http://hudsonvalleylighting.com/Blog.aspx?id=39
“Exposed-Filament & Edison-Style Bulbs: Turn of the Century Lighting” http://hudsonvalleylighting.com/Blog.aspx?id=44
Thanks again, Elsie!
All best,
Kevin
LOVED this post! Thanks for sharing so many cool fixtures!
Laura
http://laurahager.blogspot.com/