SHEDDING LIGHT ON LIGHT FIXTURE SELECTIONS
As you can see from our designs, we love selecting and layering lighting - floor lamps, table lamps, decorative wall sconces, art lights, pendants, and chandeliers! This blog post introduces some simple ways to incorporate and select lighting, and doses of inspiration to get some glow in your home!
PRO TIPS
Before we get into the design portion of light fixtures, let’s chat about the fundamentals of hanging a fixture, the rules we follow and a key decision you need to make before choosing your lighting.
It’s your space so design it how you want it. Before picking out a fixture, you always have to think about the height the width and how you are using the space.
Starting with pendants, we often use them in hallways since this space tends to generally be smaller with higher ceilings — High ceilings are key! (Although we have a tendency to lean towards this design choice, it is up to your discretion on how much lighting you want.)
Speaking of ceiling height, when it comes to vaulted ceilings, chandeliers are the best options since they fill the space appropriately. Then on the flip side, flush mounts are to only be used in smaller spaces and shorter ceilings — going back to the filling space appropriately comment.
Now for your hanging guidelines, when it comes to hanging your chandelier above a dining table, it needs to be 30-32” off the table. As for the diameter of the fixture should be 12" smaller than the depth of the table. For example: a 42" deep dining table should target a 32" round chandelier.
Then, when it comes to hanging your chandelier from normal ceilings, non-vaulted ceilings, they will hang 7 feet off the ground.
Now that we’ve given you our general foundation rules, let’s continue on!
HOW TO CHOOSE A STATEMENT CHANDELIER
Selecting a chandelier that brings a room loads of personality is one of our favorite things to do as designers! Some of the best places to consider doing something beyond an ordinary shade chandelier or lantern include Family Rooms, over Dining tables, or in a Primary Bedroom. These spaces have upholstered or wood finishes that typically would not compete with the lighting finish and draw the eye up to add a higher level of beauty, literally!
Kitchens tend to have metal and glass in pendants and sconces so switch up the material in the adjacent Dining Room! Beaded, wood, wovens, or even a white or antique finish are all pretty ways to bring in texture and dimension. The diameter of the fixture should be 6” from the edge of the table to avoid diners accidentally bumping into it as they stand up from a seated position.
For a Family Room, go for width! An outstretched fixture brings an airiness and detail to the ceiling. The height is dependent on the ceiling height but even with shorter ceilings, a farther reach lends a little drama and widespread illumination.
For a Primary Bedroom, a more casual option may bring a sense of peace and comfort to this relaxed space. Softer, perhaps more feminine or in a lighter color palette. Organic materials found in nature are a popular choice!
BREAK THE MOLD OF BATHROOM SCONCES
Close your eyes and picture a bathroom vanity light fixture. Did you conjure up an image of a shiny silver metal bar supporting two or three downcast lights in glass shades that insult you by making dark shadows appear under your eyes? Time to move beyond that!
We strive to design bathrooms to include as much detail as any other space in the home - with mirrors, tile, wall coverings, or a repurposed vanity all to be considered! We now want to bring your attention to lighting and encourage you to incorporate sconces that do not need to fill any pre-conceived notion of a bathroom space!
Stylized, woven, ceramic, plaster - there are so many beautiful sconce options to make your space something special!
EXPERIMENT WITH MODERNITY/FORMALITY
We have a few favorite fixtures and they can look different in the context of the space - or with their finish, shade, or lightbulb! A light can skew more modern with a shade-free, rounded bulb; more formal with a shade or candle-inspired shaped bulb! Can you spot the differences here?
A dated or once-dismissed fixture can get new life once a shade is removed and a new finish added! Kate repurposed these vintage sconces in her home remodel by removing the shade and giving them a bit of polish while preserving some patina!
We hope these suggestions help you feel more confident in selecting lighting to incorporating some style and whimsy to your home that you otherwise may have not considered! Thanks for following along and shop our light fixtures below to begin your own lighting journey.