The Best Schoolhouse Lighting Ideas for Your Décor

Illuminating public spaces such as libraries, classrooms and courthouses in the 1920s, schoolhouse lighting offers a classic, vintage look atop the bare light bulbs. Thanks to its curvy lines and milky shades, these lights become a tasteful choice for spaces which require ambient or task lighting. The essential white flared globe shape soon took on other geometric forms, including colourful, hand-painted touches on the shades and fancier hardware and fittings.

There are many reasons why schoolhouse lighting is your best choice for your vintage inspired or traditional room; it is tasteful and timeless, generally blending in with any form of interior design. We love it best with quiet, modern-contemporary spaces, or the more rustic, country or farmhouse styles. Here is how you can infuse this favourite lighting choice in your favourite rooms:

White on White

The milky texture of schoolhouse lighting complements all-white rooms perfectly. It gives off that delicate, pastoral feel, especially when paired with glossy, metallic fixtures and dark wooden accents. Take a cue from this breathtaking interior design. Check out our Schoolhouse Lighting collection here.

Double Duty

Great rooms and kitchens can make use of schoolhouse lighting as your central light source. This particular design, however, smartly infused two decor aspects in one amazing style –putting together the elegant shade on a ceiling fan. We think it's practical. The white tones blend with the rest of the room's white, which includes lemon yellow and beige.

Utility Lighting

Efficient as well as classy, schoolhouse lighting shades are perfect for any and every room, including the laundry. We love this one in particular; pair it with other lighting items to give you all the illumination you need. The black fixtures bring out a nice pop of colour in this white wonderland. See similar lights with our Milky Collection.

Cherry Burst

No, don't limit your schoolhouse lighting to a basic white-themed decor. Look for shades with hand-painted bands for that perfect accent on your colourful room. This kitchen and dining, for example, exudes with a lovely splash of red. 

As Clear as Crystal

Schoolhouse lighting also comes in clear, glass shades, which can beautifully blend with your industrial-inspired or modern room. This pendant lighting shines brightly overhead a kitchen island. The raw wood floor and cabinets, plus the white brick wall give a nice texture against the smooth, curvy lines of the light.  Discover more of our glass shades by checking out our Opal collection.

Bath Bliss

Throw in a little bit of art nouveau in your farmhouse bathroom with a milky pendant light. This one, in particular, harmonises well with the lines of the wood panels and the brick floor. We love how this room limits the palette to earthy tones, only using a bright hue from the flowers as if saying, “Go back to beauty of nature.” 

Love this series featuring Schoolhouse Lighting? Get more interior design tips and tricks by staying glued to this blog. Meanwhile, let us know your thoughts about this post by commenting below. 

Images via Fat Shack Vintage Pinterest board.