20 of Our Best Lighting Tips

We are huge believers that lighting is the most impactful item you can add to a home. However, choosing the right lights and installing them properly doesn't always come easy. So we compiled a list of our top 20 lighting tips to help make it easier. Be sure to bookmark or save this post because it will be incredibly helpful for every room makeover you do!

1. When possible, plan for lighting at the beginning of a makeover. This will help ensure you have the right amount of outlets and electrical boxes you need and installed in the places you need them.

2. A standard size for a chandelier can be determined by adding the length of the room plus the width of the room. The result will be the minimum width of the chandelier you will need. [LENGTH OF ROOM + WIDTH OF ROOM = WIDTH OF CHANDELIER]

3. Layer lighting throughout a room by incorporating multiple different sources of lights. For example, a room can be layered with a chandelier, table lamps and a floor lamp.

4. When mounting kitchen pendants over an island, allow 30-36" of space from the countertop to the bottom of the pendant.

5. When mounting multiple pendants over a kitchen island, allow 30" of space between each pendant and 6" of space from the pendants to the edges of the island.

6. Install as many dimmer switches as possible. They are energy efficient and provide a quick way to change the atmosphere in a room.

7. When picking out a table lamp for a nightstand or end table, the height of the lamp should be no more than 1 1/4 times the height of the nightstand or end table.

8. The shade on a table lamp should be smaller than the width of the tabletop it sits on. The lamp will overpower the piece of furniture underneath if it is larger.

9. Keep floor lamps in scale with the rest of the room. If the room is large and the furniture is a bit oversized, use floor lamps lamps that are large and oversized as well. The same concept applies in a small room (smaller furniture with small-scale floor lamps).

10. When mounting a chandelier above a dining table, allow 30-36" of space from the table to the bottom of the chandelier.

11. When mixing metals in lighting fixtures, stick to just 2 metals when mixing and be consistent throughout your entire home.

12. Mix up the shapes of ceiling lights throughout a home so it doesn't feel repetitive. For example, use a linear-shaped light, a globe-shaped light and a drum-shaped light in close proximity spaces to keep it interesting.

13. Wall sconces should be mounted about 60-72" off of the floor. If the ceilings are tall, mount them closer to 72".

14. When mounting wall sconces that flank a mirror or a piece of art, mount the sconces at the center of the item and leave 4-6" between the item and the sconce.

15. Use a lower wattage bulb for smaller accent lighting like table lamps and sconces and higher wattage for larger lighting like chandeliers and large floor lamps.

16. Pay attention to the Kelvin rating in a light bulb. Use anywhere between 3000K to 3500K to present more of a natural, white light. A yellow, warm glow is created using lower Kelvin rated light bulbs.

17. In a standard foyer, hang chandeliers or pendants 7 1/2 feet off of the floor. In a 2-story foyer, hang the bottom of the light so it is level with the bottom of the 2nd floor.

18. For picture lights above art, mount the light 7 inches above the piece of art so the light beams on the center of the artwork. Also, placing the light at a 30-degree angle will help to get the best illumination.

19. An easy way to create contrast in lighting is to use a variety of textures throughout different lighting fixtures. Consider using woods, metals and ceramics to keep it interesting.

20. The number one tip we have for lighting is to remember that this is NOT A LIST OF RULES. These are merely tips and suggestions. Every room is different. Every lighting situation is different, so do what you feel is best for your room or hire a designer to help find a solution that works!

Need more lighting tips? Head on over to our social media accounts and send us a message or start a project with one of our fabulous designers and get customized lighting advice for your home!