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Design 101
How to Find the Right Lighting for Your Home
October 30, 2024
From a stunning overhead chandelier that balances your entryway, to a small table lamp placed on a side table, getting the right lighting fixture can give a room character and visual appeal. Learn how to find the right lamp to enhance any room — and learn about the ideal layout, size, and height for common types of lighting.
Lighting Styles
Now that you're familiar with different lighting types and the purpose each serves, the next step is to decide what style you want for your home. Different lighting styles serve different functions, so it's important to consider how a particular style will operate in your space. Below is a sampling of different lighting styles to help you make an informed decision.
Table Lamps
These lights serve as a form of ambient lighting with less range than an overhead light fixture and are often placed on side tables, end tables, or nightstands. Table lamps typically include a shade, light bulb, and base and have to be plugged into a wall outlet, which makes them conveniently portable.
From a soft peaceful glow on your nightstand to a focused beam on your home office desk, table lamps are a multipurpose light that fits well into many areas of the home. Table lamps come in many different forms to fit a range of functions and styles.
Where should I place my table lamp?
Mid-sized and portable, table lamps are the perfect accompaniment for surfaces around the home. Common areas that benefit from a table lamp include nightstands, end tables, sideboards or consoles, and desks.
In terms of height, a good rule of thumb is the eye level rule. When sitting down, you always want the bottom of the shade to line up with your eye level to ensure that the light isn’t shining directly into your eyes.
What size table lamp should I choose?
When a table lamp is properly aligned to the scale of the room and the surface it is placed on, it can create a cohesive and unified feel. Follow these tips for the perfect size:
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The table lamp shade should be smaller than the width of the table it is set on. This minimizes the risk of falling and ensures that the shade isn’t creating unsightly silhouettes.
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If your lamp is placed in a heavily trafficked area, such as a walkway or living room, consider a heavy and shorter lamp with a stable base, which will be less likely to topple over when bumped. If your lamp is placed in a quieter space with less movement, a taller and lighter lamp is a good fit.
Sconces
A wall fixture that is generally installed flush against the wall, a sconce adds a beautiful layer of lighting to your home. Coming in many shapes, styles, and sizes, sconces elevate your home’s aesthetic style without taking up precious real estate on side tables and other surfaces.
Where should I hang my sconce?
Sconces fit naturally into many areas of the home, from a dim hallway to a bathroom vanity. Our favorite placements include hallways and staircases, either side of a bathroom vanity mirror, kitchen, living room, bedroom, and along a gallery wall to spotlight your favorite decorative pieces.
The standard mounting height for wall sconces is 65–72 inches off the ground, or around eye level. For bedside lighting, mount them 30–36 inches above the top of the mattress and no further than one foot away from the bed. For horizontal spacing along a hallway or staircase, hang sconces 6–10 feet apart. To help spotlight your artwork, place the sconce squarely or ⅔ of the width of the frame for a balanced look.
What size sconce should I choose?
Sconces are generally smaller lighting fixtures that fit well throughout the home. Before choosing your sconces, you’ll want to take some measurements of the areas of your home in which you wish to place these lighting fixtures.
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Measure the height of your ceiling in feet.
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Multiply this number by ¾ as most sconces are placed ¾ the way up the wall. For example, if you have a 12-foot ceiling, you will mount your sconces 9 feet up the wall.
Floor Lamps
Floor lamps are another ambient light source that can be used as an alternative to overhead lighting. Typically ranging from 58 to 64 inches in height, the base of a floor lamp becomes a central part of your room decor because it’s so prominent. Many floor lamp bases come with shelving or stylish pillars that bring functionality and aesthetic appeal to the space.
With a sturdy base and a design that excels in durability, floor lamps act as a stand-in for overhead room lighting and complementary ambiance lighting.
Where should I place my floor lamp?
The streamlined and space-saving floor lamps' design enables them to be used in various rooms and spaces. The most common placements of a floor lamp include next to a sectional, sofa, or accent chair, next to a console table in living or dining spaces, or in the corner of your bedroom next to a dresser.
What size floor lamp should I choose?
Floor lamps tend to be 5–6 feet tall, though lamps with adjustable features can be customized. If you want a wider dispersion of light, you will want to opt for a taller floor lamp. If you prefer a more focused light, a shorter floor lamp style will be best.
Chandeliers & Pendants
Both of these overhead lighting fixtures can become a focal point of any room. Chandeliers and pendants both hang from the ceiling, but a chandelier has several bulbs, while a pendant only has one. While traditional chandeliers often evoke images of jewels and candle-shaped bulbs, there are modern chandelier designs that come in an array of styles and colors to match your home. Pendants are often designed with a single lightbulb or a multi-light string to project a more downward light. Chandeliers come in more extravagant shapes, sizes, styles, materials, and finishes, making it easy to find a design that fits your aesthetic — from rustic wood to luxurious crystals.
Where should I hang my chandelier or pendant?
With a space-saving design that extends from the ceiling on a chain, cord, or rod, chandeliers are perfect additions to dining rooms, entryways, and even a primary bedroom. Pendants, with their simple shapes and downward lighting, are often chosen for kitchens, bars, and outdoor patio spaces.
To hang a chandelier or pendant above tables or kitchen islands, hang it at the center of the piece instead of the center of the room. The bottom of the light should hang 30–36 inches above the table to keep eyelines clear.
For larger foyers and entryways, position the chandelier directly over a small table. If you have a smaller space, position your chandelier in the middle of the space. Keep at least seven feet of clearance between the bottom of the chandelier and the floor. This seven-foot clearance rule also applies for hanging chandeliers and pendants above beds.
What size chandelier or pendant should I choose?
When choosing the size of your lighting fixture, it’s key to consider the size of your space. For pendants, 15 inches in diameter is a common size. This allows for adequate light without feeling like the lamp is overwhelming. For kitchen islands, determine the number of pendants you need to illuminate the width of your island — from a single bulb to multi-light string.
For chandeliers, which range widely in size, here are two simple rules to help you determine the ideal width and height:
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Measure the room’s length and width in feet. Add the two numbers together. The total will indicate the width in inches your chandelier should be. For example, a 12x18-foot room means a 30-inch width chandelier is ideal.
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Measure the height of your ceiling in feet. Multiply this figure by three to find the optimal chandelier height in inches. For example, a 10-foot ceiling means a 30-inch height chandelier is ideal.
Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting is a unique category that enhances both illumination and curb appeal for your home’s exterior. Some examples of outdoor lighting include lanterns for lighting pathways, string lights to add ambiance to landscaping, and patio lights for long evenings spent enjoying meals outdoors. Ideally, your outside lights will seamlessly blend with your home’s exterior design just as you would with your inside lights for the interior.
Lighting by Room
Finding the right lighting for your home is a matter of personal taste, but following a few simple guidelines can help you choose the best lights for a room.
Dining Room
Since the dining room is where you'll be enjoying meals, you probably want an overhead lighting source. Consider a chandelier or pendant light, as long as it will fit directly over the table at a convenient height.
Living Room
The living room is a good place for both overhead lighting and floor lamps, allowing you to adjust the illumination level based on the activity. For example, you can use overhead lighting for game nights and floor lamps for cozy armchair reading.
Bedroom
The bedroom is another good place to have an overhead light and lamp combination to create a versatile atmosphere. A table lamp on your nightstand can also offer convenience and a cozy ambiance as it can be quickly switched off before bed.
Lighting Tips
Here are a few more ideas to help you create the ideal lighting setup for your home decor:
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Use multiple light sources
Aim to have 2 to 3 lighting sources per room.
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Install dimmer switches
Consider adding dimmer switches to allow for adjustable brightness.
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Choose the right bulbs
Explore different bulbs and wattages, such as LED, soft white, and warm white.
Brighten Your Home with Quality Lighting Fixtures
From a table lamp for a cozy reading nook to an elegant modern chandelier in the foyer, if you are ready to light up your rooms with stylish and functional lighting fixtures, search our curated collection of lamps, lights, and sconces to find your perfect fit.
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