Lighting Design

As trained lighting professionals we have provided Lighting Design free of charge whenever needed. We have found that most people benefit by working with a “real person” when lighting a home, so if you would like some assistance, please feel free to contact us directly. We are always glad to help.

General Guidelines:

Layered Lighting

This concept is to use more than one light source to light an area. This is often used most effectively in living and great room areas. In living/great room areas light can be provided by a fan light kit or chandelier in the center of the room along with recessed cans around the periphery of the room. The recessed cans can be controlled independently of the center room light to create different lighting affects especially when dimmers are used on all of the fixtures. This layered effect can be further enhanced by the use of wall sconces and portable lamps.

This layered concept can be also used in kitchens with fluorescent lighting or recessed cans in the ceiling and under cabinet lighting to brighten countertop work areas. In homes with kitchen ceilings at 9′ or higher, shadows are often cast underneath the cabinets which can be eliminated by the use of under cabinet lighting.

Wall Washing/Grazing

This technique places ceiling lighting close to walls so that lighting shines at low angles on the wall. This creates shadows on anything placed on the wall. Using this lighting technique on stone or brick fireplaces brings additional texture and depth to the surfaces and highlights this area of the room. On artwork, shadows can be created around frames or sculptures to bring depth and additional texture to the piece being highlighted.

Dining Chandelier Size and Selection

There are two ways to select the size of a chandelier, fit the chandelier to the dining room or fit the chandelier to the dining table. In the first method, measure two walls in the dining room and add these together to get the diameter in inches for the chandelier. For example, a dining room that is 12′ x 15′ should have a chandelier approximately 27″ in diameter. Since chandeliers rarely are the same diameter as the room measurements it is better to error on the high side and go with a chandelier that is up to 32″ in diameter in this example. The other way to size a chandelier is to ensure that the dining table width or diameter is at least 12″ larger (6″ on a side) than the diameter of the chandelier.

In situations where a long or rectangular dining table is used a two or three light island or “bridge” light might want to be used. Another alternative to a chandelier is to use “clustered” mini-pendants. Several manufacturers have canopies that can hold anywhere from three to seven mini-pendants. A single canopy with several mini-pendants hung at different levels over the center of the table or two three-light clusters evenly spaced over the table can be used.

How High to Hang a Dining Chandelier

The height of the chandelier should be hung so that the bottom of the chandelier is between 5′ to 6′ off the floor. This will vary depending on the height of the ceiling. On lower ceilings it is usually best to select a chandelier height that allows for at least 1′ of chain or stem length so that the chandelier doesn’t look like it is squeezed into too small of a space. For high ceilings (12′ and above) or a large open dining area a two-tier chandelier might be considered. This will take up vertical space and keep the chandelier from becoming “lost” in a large dining area.

Preservation of Views

Another item to consider when selecting a chandelier is the preservation of views. Many dining rooms are designed to provide for a picturesque view while dining. Often these views are available through the dining room from other areas of the home such as the family room or kitchen. If a large pendant bowl is selected for the dining area it is more difficult to “see through” because of its solid mass as compared to a chandelier with several arms which takes up as much space but has its mass spread out.

Foyer/Entry Lighting

The size of the foyer lighting fixture can be estimated by measuring two walls in the foyer and adding these together to get the diameter in inches for the fixture. For example, a foyer that is 8′ x 10′ should have a fixture approximately 18″ to 20″ in diameter. Depending on the height of the ceiling a flush mount, semi-flushmount, chandelier, or pendant bowl can be used. On lower ceilings care should be made that the door swing is clear of the fixture. If a chandelier is used, the glass should point up so that the light bulbs are not seen when standing in the foyer.

In a 2-story foyer the bottom of the fixture should be at least 8′ from the floor. In this application the height of the fixture needs to consider the second story as fixture placement also affects the character of the second story if a walk way or loft overlooks the foyer.

Bath Lighting

The most important aspect of bath lighting is to avoid lighting that allows for shadows on the face. The simplest way to do this is to install a vanity light directly above each sink and allow the light to reflect off of the mirror and counter top. If a single vanity light is to be used it should be hung approximately 6.5′ above the floor. If sconces are to be used on either side of a vanity mirror the sconces should be hung lower and closer to the sides of the face at about 5′ to 5.5′ from the floor.

As trained lighting professionals we have provided Lighting Design free of charge whenever needed. We have found that most people benefit by working with a “real person” when lighting a home, so if you would like some assistance, please feel free to contact us directly. We are always glad to help.