Menu
- Lighting
-
LED Lighting
- Quick Ship
- Home Goods
-
Sale
Our most cost-conscious collection, capture the look you love without breaking the bank!
-
Inspiration
- Professional Login
GUIDE TO CEILING FIXTURES
A wrong measurement can spell disaster for a recipe. The wrong-sized light fixture can also seriously disrupt the design mojo of your space. Designers recommend a happy medium between too large and too small. The fixture should feel harmonious with the scale of the space without overpowering it or feeling miniscule. Getting it right in any room comes down to three important measurements: scale, clearance, and spacing.
Size Matters
No matter what type of light fixture you're looking for, choosing the right size is crucial to achieving a balanced look.
Here are the steps for calculating the diameter of a single pendant or chandelier for any room size:
1. Measure the length and width of your room in feet (example: 10 feet by 14 feet).
2. Add the length and width together (10 feet + 14 feet = 24 feet).
3. Substitute that value in feet for inches (24 feet becomes 24 inches).
As you can see in the example above, for a 10 foot by 14 foot room, a ceiling fixture that is a maximum of 24 inches in diameter would be appropriate.
1. Measure the length and width of your room in feet (example: 10 feet by 14 feet).
2. Add the length and width together (10 feet + 14 feet = 24 feet).
3. Substitute that value in feet for inches (24 feet becomes 24 inches).
As you can see in the example above, for a 10 foot by 14 foot room, a ceiling fixture that is a maximum of 24 inches in diameter would be appropriate.
For high or vaulted ceilings, consider hanging multiple fixtures in a space.
How Low Can You Go?
The height of a fixture, or its hanging length, is as important as the size of the fixture. The clearance needed depends on the space and the furniture included there.
Tables & Islands
The bottom of the fixture should hang between 30"-36" above the table or countertop. When hanging multiple pendants, we recommend spacing the fixtures about 24" apart. For dining room tables, be sure to leave at least 6" of space between the edge of the fixture and the edge of the table.Linear chandelier fixtures work well with long rectangular or oval tables, while a single pendant or chandelier is a better choice for a square or round table.
High-Traffic Areas
There should be at least seven feet of clearance between the bottom of the light fixture and the floor. For ceilings higher than eight feet, we recommend adding an additional three inches per foot. If you have low ceilings, consider flush or semi-flush mount lights to achieve the necessary clearance. If you have a two-story foyer, the bottom of the fixture should hang at the same level as the second floor.
Bathrooms & Sinks
For kitchen casement windows, we recommend smaller-scale pendants with at least 30-40 inches between the bottom of the light and the countertop. In bathrooms, safety is critical when selecting lighting. Each listing on our website includes the product's rating. If a product is damp rated, it can be installed in moist locations, such as bathrooms or screened porches, but should have no direct exposure to water. If a product is wet rated, it is suitable for wet environments, including exterior locations, or bathrooms that may encounter direct exposure to splashing or dripping water. For full bathrooms, light fixtures should be at least three feet away from the edge of the tub or shower.
If you have any questions regarding the safety listing on any of our products, please contact our Customer Care team prior to ordering.
1-800-407-8784 (Toll Free)
321-269-2299 (Local)
321-607-6979 (Fax)
Subscribe
