The Ultimate Guide to Ceiling Lighting
An investment in quality lighting is a significant financial and aesthetic decision, and it’s completely natural to wonder if you’re choosing the right fixture or missing the mark.
Whether your heart leans toward vintage-inspired or farmhouse designs, or you’re aiming for a luxurious look that seamlessly combines charm and elegance, every lighting fixture has the power to transform your space in distinctive ways. Embrace this as a chance to unleash your creativity and let your lighting be the guiding star that sets the mood for your home.
How Big Should My Light Fixture Be?
Buying Guide: Love this light? Explore the Egg Collection
An inaccurate recipe measurement can lead to culinary chaos, and the same holds true for your home decor. Selecting the wrong-sized light fixture can throw off the design harmony of your space. Regardless of the style you’re aiming for, choosing the right size is essential for creating a balanced and visually pleasing environment.
How to Measure Your Space for Your Lighting
No matter the size of your room, we have the perfect formula so you can find the width you need for a single pendant or chandelier.
- Measure the length and width of your room in feet (example: 10 feet by 14 feet).
- Add the length and width together (10 feet + 14 feet = 24 feet).
- Substitute that value in feet for inches (24 feet becomes 24 inches).
Using the example above with the room size of 10 feet by 14 feet, a ceiling light fixture should be no more than 24 inches in diameter for visual balance.
What is the Right Length to Hang a Ceiling Fixture?
A light fixture should feel harmonious with the scale of the space without overpowering it or feeling miniscule. Just as well, if a light is too close or far away from a surface it can easily look awkward in a space. Getting it right in any room comes down to three important measurements: scale, clearance, and spacing.
Buying Guide: Love this light? Explore the Bomber Collection
Hanging Lights Over Tables and Kitchen Islands
- The bottom of the fixture should hang between 30″-36″ above the table or countertop.
- When hanging multiple pendants, they should be evenly spaced apart with about 24-36 inches from the center of each fixture to the next. For larger pendants, space each fixture at least 6 inches apart from the edge of each light shade.
- There should be at least 6 inches of space from the edge of a table or countertop to the edge of the ceiling light fixture.
- Use RLM or metal shade lighting over kitchen islands and dining room tables. These types of light fixtures will focus light downward where you need it to go.
Style tip: For long dining tables hang two or more pendants in a straight-line or install a linear chandelier. For smaller square or round tables hang a single pendant or chandelier.
Buying Guide: Left – The Union Cord Pendant, Right – Explore Oversized Lighting
Hanging Lights in 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.
Buying Guide: Left – The Bubble 5-Light Chandelier, Right – Explore the Outback Collection
Hanging Lights in Bathrooms & Over Sinks
- For kitchen casement windows and bathroom mirrors, use smaller pendant lights with a clearance of at least 30–40 inches between the countertop and the bottom of the fixture.
- Use a flush mount light in spaces with at least 7 feet of clearance for areas you will be walking under.
- If placing lighting on either side of a bathroom mirror, install the fixtures at about the same height as your face for proper illumination. It is not recommended to place downward focused lighting here, but rather higher up over the mirror.
Pro tip: Before buying your light fixture make sure it meets the appropriate location ratings for the space it will be installed in. For bathrooms and over kitchen sinks, either Damp-Rated or Wet-Rated lighting fixtures work best considering the moisture accumulation in these areas.
Buying Guide: Left – The Wilcox Uplight Pendant, Right – The Static Ring Cord Pendant
How Bright Does My Light Fixture Need to Be?
The brightness of your ceiling lights should be tailored to the specific room and its intended purpose. Areas such as kitchens, dining rooms, bathrooms, and offices require brighter lighting to support functionality and productivity. In contrast, living rooms and bedrooms benefit from softer illumination to create a more relaxing ambiance. Additionally, spaces with dark wall colors, vaulted ceilings, or large commercial areas may necessitate greater light intensity to achieve the desired effect. Tailoring the brightness to each room can significantly enhance both its usability and atmosphere.
Finding the Right Brightness For Any Space
The best and most accurate way to measure light brightness is in lumens. Below are the recommended lumen ranges to provide adequate light for most spaces.
- Kitchens: 5,000–10,000 lumens
- Dining Rooms: 3,000–6,000 lumens
- Living Rooms: 1,500–3,000 lumens
- Bedrooms: 2,000–4000 lumens
- Hallways: 500–1,000 lumens
- Bathrooms: 4,000–8,000 lumens
- Garages: 8,000–10,000 lumens
- Porches: 500–1,000 lumens
Calculating Brightness by Square Foot
- General Lighting: 50 lumens per square foot
- Task Lighting: 300 lumens per square foot
- Accent Lighting: 50-75 lumens per square foot
Pro tip: Need to find the lumen value for an incandescent bulb? Incandescent bulbs have an average 15 lumens per watt. Therefore a 60-watt bulb would be approximately 900 lumens.
Layering Your Lighting
Lighting in any space must strike the perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality. A single oversized light shade or chandelier can create a stunning focal point, while multiple smaller fixtures distributed throughout the room provide comprehensive illumination. By layering your lighting and incorporating a variety of light sources, you can ensure that your fixtures not only enhance the visual appeal of the space but also meet its overall lighting needs effectively. This thoughtful approach transforms your environment into both a beautiful and well-lit haven.
Buying Guide: Left – Primary Schoolhouse Chain Pendant, Right – The Kao Flush Mount
Which Ceiling Light Mounting is the Best?
Choosing the right mounting option for your light fixture is just as important as determining the appropriate size and spacing of your lights. In the following sections, we’ll explore various ceiling mounting types and the ideal scenarios for their use.
Cord Pendants
Cord hung pendants provide exceptional flexibility and are particularly well-suited for expansive spaces such as high-vaulted ceilings, storage areas, garages, or warehouses. If you’re uncertain about the ideal length for your lighting, cord pendants are a versatile choice; they can be easily adjusted by your electrician to meet your specific needs.
Because this type of mounting is lighter and can easily sway with the wind, cord hung pendants are recommended for indoor use only.
This mounting style excels in accommodating angled ceilings, as the cords will naturally allow the fixture to hang straight. Additionally, cord hung lighting can be paired with a swag hook, enabling you to position the light fixture precisely where you want it, even if the electrical source isn’t directly above.
Buying Guide: Left – Explore the Schoolhouse Collection, Right – Explore the Timber & Ore Collection
Cable Pendants
Cable pendants provide a stylish, swagged cord appearance, supported by a robust wire cable that ensures stability. This mounting style not only boasts the same versatility as traditional cord pendant fixtures but also introduces a distinct visual appeal. While cable pendants are more heavy-duty than their cord-hung counterparts, they are still best suited for indoor applications.
Buying Guide: Left – The Sterling Studio Pendant, Right – The Ellington Studio Pendant
Stem Pendants
Stem-mounted lights utilize a durable metal tube to suspend a light fixture from the ceiling, with the tubing cleverly concealing all electrical wiring from the socket to the electrical box. This design allows stem-mounted fixtures to be suitable for both indoor and outdoor installations.
Unlike cord pendants, stem mountings typically lack adjustable lengths unless customized at the manufacturer. To avoid potential issues later, it’s essential to measure your space carefully. Double-check your dimensions to ensure your stem-mounted pendant is the perfect length for your needs.
For sloped ceilings it is advisable to pair your stem-mounted light fixture with a hang-straight canopy, ensuring a seamless and level installation.
Buying Guide: Left – Explore the Chestnut Collection, Right – Drum Schoolhouse Stem Pendant
Chain Pendants
Chain-hung light fixtures combine flexibility and durability, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor settings. The rugged metal links, paired with winding cords create a decorative, yet customizable setup that enhances any space. With adjustable chains, these fixtures can be suspended at varying heights, making them an excellent choice for rooms with high or vaulted ceilings.
Similar to cord-hung pendants, chain pendant lights can be paired with swag hooks, allowing for a visually dynamic look while simplifying installation areas without an existing ceiling outlet. This versatility not only adds character to your decor but also provides practical solutions for diverse lighting needs.
Buying Guide: Left – The Bomber Chain Pendant, Right – The Wilcox Chain Pendant
Flush Mounts
Flush mount ceiling lights are an excellent option for areas with limited ceiling height, as they sit snugly against the ceiling, delivering ample illumination without dominating the space or overpowering existing decor. Available in both flush and semi-flush designs, these compact fixtures are versatile enough to complement a wide range of environments.
Particularly well-suited for high-traffic areas such as hallways and porches, flush mount lights can be installed indoors or outdoors, depending on the specific wet-rating of the fixture. Their streamlined profile and functional design make them a practical choice for enhancing both style and visibility in any setting.
Buying Guide: Left – Round Schoolhouse Flush Mount, Right – The Outback Flush Mount
Chandeliers
Chandeliers epitomize elegance, serving as striking focal points that capture attention and define the character of any room. With multiple light sources integrated into one fixture, chandeliers not only provide abundant illumination but also enhance the overall ambiance of the space. Their grandeur and sophisticated design create a cozy yet luxurious atmosphere, making them perfect for bedrooms, dining rooms, or expansive entryways.
Chandeliers come in various mounting styles, including cord-mounted, chain-mounted, and stem-mounted options. Knowing the type of mounting you prefer will help you choose the ideal placement for your chandelier. Refer to the examples above to determine the best mounting option for your specific setting.
Buying Guide: Left – Factory Overhead 6-light Chandelier, Right – Maven Rope Chandelier
Ceiling Light Accessories That Make All the Difference
LED Lighting
Reduce your energy bills significantly with LED lighting! Upgrade with our stylish decorative LED bulbs or opt for an integrated LED light fixture for a seamless solution. LED lighting consumes far less power than traditional incandescent bulbs, resulting in substantial savings over time. Make the switch today and enjoy both enhanced efficiency and a brighter, more vibrant space!
Hang-Straight Canopy
If you have an angled or sloped ceiling, hang-straight canopies will do just that: hang your light straight. These canopies feature a ball-and-socket design mounted to a backing plate, allowing your pendant light to pivot and adjust seamlessly.
Swivel Knuckle
Only available with stem pendants and gooseneck lights, a swivel knuckle turns your fixed shade into an adjustable one, so you can point the beam of light in the desired direction. This hardware accessory is best suited for lighting over signs, paintings and picture frames.
Decorative Bulbs
Decorative bulbs can give an extra wow-factor to any light fixture. Available with vintage-inspired filaments, a wide-variety of shapes, and multiple glass tints these bulbs add a warm, inviting ambiance to any room.
Lighting Lingo Q&A
What is the canopy of the light fixture?
Just like a tree, a light fixture’s canopy is at the very tippy top. This is part of the light fixture that presses flush with the ceiling and provides a decorative cover over the junction box. Canopies come in a wide-variety of styles that usually compliment the light fixture and can range from standard to heavy-duty depending on the weight of the light fixture.
What is a junction box?
A junction box is a protective encasing that houses the electrical wires. It keeps wires from getting pinched or damaged by the surrounding environment while also preventing contact with live wires and terminals. It is recommended that all electrical wiring should be done by a certified professional.
What is a pendant light?
In order for a light fixture to be a pendant it needs to be suspended from the ceiling with a single light source or bulb. If a hanging light fixture has two or more light sources it is considered a chandelier.
What is a wet rating?
Wet ratings specify where a lighting fixture can be safely installed. There are 3 location ratings: Wet Rated, Damp Rated, and Dry Rated.
- Wet Rated: if a light fixture is wet rated, it is suitable for wet environments. This includes all exterior locations, or bathrooms that may encounter direct exposure to splashing or dripping water and steam.
- Damp Rated: if a light fixture is damp rated, it can be installed in slightly moist or humid locations. These are typically areas such as bathrooms, kitchen sinks, or outdoors under covered porches. This area should have no direct exposure to water.
- Dry Rated: if a light fixture is dry rated is it only suitable for completely dry indoor locations.
What are lumens?
Lumens (lm) are the most consistently used unit of measurement for quantifying the amount of visible light emanating from a light source.
What does RLM mean?
RLM stands for Reflector Luminaire Manufacturer. This type of lighting is made from a reflective metal shade and points the light in one focused direction. This type of light fixture is well suited outdoors as it creates minimal light pollution.
What is an uplight?
A light fixture that is an uplight does just that, it directs the light upwards. This can be a light fixture that only directs light upwards, or it can direct light upwards and down at the same time.
What is omnidirectional lighting?
An omnidirectional light fixture will disperse light in every direction. This can either be a fixture with a bare bulb or a round diffuser over the light source.
Now that you have finished our ultimate guide to ceiling lighting, you can start choosing the right ceiling light fixture for you!
Discover the perfect blend of craftsmanship and personalization with our customizable ceiling lighting collections, proudly made in the USA. Begin by exploring our diverse range of shade styles, then choose your preferred mounting option. From there, let your creativity shine as you customize every detail to match your unique vision! With an unparalleled selection of finishes and options available, it’s no wonder we are recognized as the premier choice for American-made lighting. Illuminate your space with a design that’s truly yours!
Explore the Timber & Ore Collection
We are confident that you will be thrilled with your selection of vintage-to-modern inspired lighting whether you’re redecorating your kitchen or bath or building a new addition to your home.
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