The first step to buying a lighting is finding the right size. However, where you place the lighting in your home impacts the size. To take the guesswork out of the process, follow our tips for both sizing and placement.
No matter what type of chandelier you are looking for – crystal, candle style, lantern, sputnik, or another design – the dimensions of your space are a key factor when picking chandelier size. If the fixture is too big or too small, the room will feel disjointed. Before you start the shopping process, we recommend measuring the length and width of your rooms as well as the height of your ceilings.
Width
Measure your room's length and width in feet, and add those two numbers together. Then use that number as the width in inches for your chandelier. For example, if your room is 10' x 16', the sum of those equals 26'. The chandelier should be 26" wide.
However, if you are placing the chandelier over a table, the width of the chandelier should be 12" narrower than the width of the table so no one bumps into it while getting in and out of their seat.
Height
Regarding chandelier height, we recommend 3" for every foot of space between the floor and ceiling. You can find this number by multiplying the height of your ceiling (in feet) by three.
For example, if your ceilings are 8' high, your chandelier should be 24" tall (8 x 3 = 24).
Where to Place Your Chandelier Lighting
Positioning a chandelier consists of two main factors: where it will be placed in the room and its hanging height. Mounting the chandelier in the wrong spot will impact the room’s overall aesthetic – if it hangs too low, it will hinder the flow of traffic through your home; if it’s too high, the light may be too dim to be useful. When placing a chandelier in a specific room, reference the recommendations below.
Dining Room
Home Lighting Fixtures, Different Sizes of Different Placement
Lighting Size
Hanging Height:
To hang a dining room fixture or chandelier, how much inches between the top of your table and the bottom of your fixture?8' ceiling: 32 – 36 inches 9' ceiling: 36 – 40 inches 10' ceiling: 40 – 44 inchesWhere to Hang: Mount the light above the middle of the table – not the middle of the room. If you have a sideboard or buffet table, your dining table is likely placed off-center in the room, so a chandelier hanging in the middle of the space will be confusing to the eye.
Above a Kitchen Island
Hanging Height: The bottom of the chandelier should hang 30" – 36" above the countertop.
Where to Hang: Center the chandelier in the middle of the island. However, if you are hanging multiple pendant lights or mini chandeliers, we recommend placing the lights 30" apart from each other along the width center line of the island. If you will have three lights, center one above the middle of the island and then hang the other two 30" apart on either side.Entryway, Bedroom, or Living Room
Hanging Height: So no one bumps their head, always have 7' of clearance between the bottom of the chandelier and the floor. However, if your ceiling is taller than 8', mount the chandelier an additional 3" higher for every extra foot above 8'.If you have a two-story foyer, the bottom of the fixture should hang at the same level as the second floor.
Where to Hang: If you have a large foyer, a chandelier placed over a round table will provide a bold statement. In a small entryway, the chandelier should hang in the middle of the room.
If the chandelier is being hung in your bedroom or living room, place it in the middle of the room or above a bed or coffee table. Mini chandeliers also look great hanging above nightstands (but remember the 30" – 36" rule!).
How big should a dining room light fixture be?CIRCULAR OR OVAL DINING TABLE
Ideally, you would have it approx one foot less than the width of the table (the widest part). This works whether it’s a circle or oval.
42 inches wide: Your light would be approx. 18 – 20 inches48 inches wide: Your light would be approx. 24 inchesAnother way to think of it is to choose a light that is approx. 1/2 to 2/3 as wide as the widest part of the table. In the end, both measures will be similar.
SQUARE OR RECTANGLE TABLE
If your table is a square or rectangle and you want to choose a rectangular fixture, I would lean on the ‘smaller’ end of the scale and choose a fixture that was approx. 1/2 the width of the table and approx. 1/2-2/3 as long.
42-inch square table: Your light would be approx. 20 inches
42 x 78 inches: Your light would be approx. 20 inches wide x 54 inches long
BathroomHanging Height: At least 8' above the highest point from the tub's edge.
Where to Hang: Due to strict building codes for wet environments, the chandelier must be at least 3' from th
BathroomHanging Height: At least 8' above the highest point from the tub's edge.
Where to Hang: Due to strict building codes for wet environments, the chandelier must be at least 3' from the edge of the tub or shower.
What's more,The right height to hang wall sconcesThe standard is 66 – 72 inches from the floor. In a hallway, I lean towards the higher end, whereas in a bedroom (like above bedside tables) I lean to the lower end.
How big?
You have a lot of flexibility with wall sconces and there is not a set guideline. However, here’s some food for thought…
If you want to make a statement, look for a light fixture that has a glass shade mounted on a larger piece of metalIf you have a tall wall, consider an overly long wall sconceDon’t just pay attention to the height of a fixture, also note the depth as some sconces stick out quite far which can look awkward down a hallwayIf you are hanging sconces on either side of the mirror, you’ll want them to be approx eye level – so 60 – 70 inches from the floor.
The right height to hang pendant lights over an island/peninsulaIf you are hanging pendants over an island/peninsula then you should have approx 30-36 inches of airspace between the bottom of your fixture and the top of your counter surface.
How wide/big should a pendant light be over an island or peninsula?There’s a LOT of room to move with this one and usually bigger is better (another epic love-life reference). Here are some basic guidelines to get you started…
The pendant light should sit at least 10-12 inches in from the widest part of your countertop. So, if your island is 3 feet wide you’ll want the pendant to be no bigger than 12 inches.Don’t cram too many pendants in, while it’s all relative to the size of the pendant there should be ‘approx’ 30 inches in between bulbs. If your pendants are extraordinarily large, consider 24 – 30 inches between bulbs.Hanging a light fixture in an entryway or foyerYou should have 7 feet of clearance (minimum) from your floor to the bottom of your light if you have a one-level entryway.
If you have a two-storey entryway, you don’t want the light hanging below the second storey (so that it’s in the first storey’s airspace)
How big should it be?An easy way to come up with a number is to take the width of your room and add it to the depth of the room. Of course, there is something to be said for an over-sized statement light, so don’t let any numbers dissuade you!
So if you have a room that is 10 feet wide and 12 feet long you’ll do 10+12=22 inches– SHAZAAM! There’s your light size, approx. 22 inches.
How high should bathroom light fixtures hang?Lighting above the mirror should be approx 75 – 80 inches from the floor. With 8-foot ceilings, I might do 75 inches with 9-foot ceilings I would go to 80 inches.
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