How to Light a Room
One thing in design we can’t live without – good lighting. It is one of the most important elements in design, and yet most homes are either under-lit or you can use their space as a landing strip for an airplane. We would like to give you some simple ways to figure out not only how much light a room needs but what type of lighting you need.
To start you really need to determine what the room is going to be used for. There are four basic types of lighting which will help you understand how lighting is used. Sometimes you can use more than one type of lighting in a room.
• This is considered general lighting. It includes recessed lights, soffit lighting, track lighting, sconces, chandeliers, and pendant lights.
• Lighting that is used for specific tasks such as cooking, office or school work, reading, grooming.
This type of lighting should make it easy to see the things you are working on. Some task lighting is in the form of table lamps, pendant lights or under-cabinet lighting.
• Is used to highlight an object or an area of architectural interest. Accent lighting is usually about three times brighter than ambient lighting.
Natural Light
• This is the light that comes from the windows, doors or skylights. It can vary in brightness because of weather and time of day.
The Formula for Lighting a Room
As a general rule, there is a formula to calculate how much light you need in a room:
Room length X Room width x 1.5 = Amount of wattage to light a room
So if you have an 18’ long room x 12’ wide room multiply times 1.5 = 324 watts, that’s how much wattage is needed to adequately light the room. You can divide that lighting into more than one source. 2 Lamps @ 150 watts each and 1 lamp @ 60 watt would be more than adequate light for the room.
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can we considered room high in this formula(Room length X Room width x 1.5 = Amount of wattage to light a room) ?
Dear Aung: As with any formula, you have to take into consideration your room size along with how you will be using the room. The formula we use is a basic general plan for lighting a room, but if you have an unusually high ceiling, you may need additional lighting for the room. The formula we use is for general lighting in a standard room with standard ceiling height. This is just a starting point for lighting a room, there are many factors that may increase or decrease the amount of lighting needed.
The Style Studio Team
catalog imagery looks great
How do I figure the right size chandelier for my dining room? My table is 45″w x 64″l (without leaves). The room is 13′ by 25′, but the dining area is a 13′ x 16′ section of that larger room.
I’m thinking about the 6-arm Talia chandelier which apparently is 25″. Too big? Too small? Just right?
Karen: We feel that you should use the 13′ x 16′ dimensions of the room to determine what size chandelier you should have. If you add the two dimensions, the diameter of the chandelier should be no larger than 29″ in diameter. The 9 arm Talia is 28″ in diameter and the 6 arm Talia is 25″ in diameter. You can actually use either Talia Chandelier in this area. If you ceiling height is lower, the 6 arm would work but if you have tall ceilings (10′ or above) then you may want to consider the 9 arm Talia.
The Style Studio Team
Your room examples and tips are invaluable. Please tell me if I am ok with a 6 arm chandelier of glass and metal over your 48 inch Rudolph round table. How high off the table should it hang? The ceilings are 8 feet. Thanks.
Carol: Your chandelier should be between 24 and 32″ in diameter for the size of the table. The bottom of the chandelier should be between 32 and 36″ above the table top so as not to be in your eye line. Hope this info helps!
Sincerely,
The Style Studio Team
My front door enters into the living room of my very tiny apartment. There is a garish harsh flush mount fixture on the ceiling right at the doorway. Should I just scrap the overhead light – will it end up looking harsh no matter the style of fixture – in favor of a sconce or a console with a table lamp?
Dear Chitchatcat: Sometimes overhead lighting can be harsh. If you find a terrific semi-flush mount like our Anatasia Light, you may fall in love with your foyer light! Look for a light that covers the bulbs rather than one that exposes them as this will soften the light source. We also love the idea of a small console with a lamp. Because it is ambient (mood) lighting it has a softer effect on the space. So the choice is up to you. We hope these suggestions help with your decision.
Happy Decorating!
The Style Studio Team
Is there any rule of thumb for size and height of lamps on a nightstand next to a king-sized bed? I think my lamps may be too small. Thanks!
My son is becoming an electrician – and I am sending him this website to read! What great information!!! I love the formulas to help…as always, Ballard’s Style Studio ROCKS!!!
I also have a question about the chandelier size I need for my dining room. The room is 11 x 13, with 9 foot ceilings. I have a dining room table that is 42 inches wide. I am looking at the Lourdes Chandelier. Do I choose the 8-arm or the 12-arm? Thanks!!
Dear Stephanie: The 12 arm Lourdes Chandelier is the correct size for your dining room as well as your dining room table.
The Style Studio Team
I am looking for a lamp for a console behind a living room sofa. The room is large-24 X 14, with 12 foot ceilings. The sofa sits in the middle of the room. The console table height is 38W X 15.25D X 28H. Should I get the 23-inch or 27-inch Suzanne Kasler Gourd lamp or the Madison?
Dear LKN: Due to the size of the rooom, you should go with the taller Gourd Lamp. The Madison is the same height as the large Gourd Lamp – so it is just a matter of personal taste. Another option available are the Chartres Buffet Lamps which could be placed on either end. They have a smaller profile but are taller at 30″. Hope this information helps.
Sincerely,
The Style Studio Team
My living room is 20×16 and has a 12 foot A-shaped ceiling. I purchased the 9-arm Grand Claire gold chandelier. How many feet from the floor should it hang?
Dear Style Studio Team.
I redecorating my Formal office. I have dark hand scraped wood floors without a in floor source of electricity. How would I float a Bourdonnais desk in the center of my room and be able to rest task lighting on the desk and minimize the visual of a cord?
Dear Lori: You can get a Floor Cable Protector at your local Home Improvement Store which will protect the cord and keep it flat to the floor. Short of having a plug installed in the floor – this seems to be the best alternative.
The Style Studio Team
Dear Emmie: The chandelier should hang at least 8′ from the floor.
The Style Studio Team
our dining room is 15 x 15 with a large hutch along one wall. The dining table extends to 148″. It’s a tight fit, but during the holidays we need every inch. (one end opens into the foyer so there is some breathing room) I saw the formula for chandelier size and hanging height, but i’m wondering should I be hanging two chandeliers instead of one. Thanks so much
You certainly could hang two chandeliers if you wanted. But without the dimensions of the table, we are at a loss as to what size you should choose.
The Style Studio Team
A couple more questions, please! How high should my chandelier hang from a my kitchen island? Is it also 36 inches? And where do you position 2-light wall sconces on either side of a fireplace mantle?
Emmie: The chandelier should hang about 36″ from the top of the island – just make sure that it clears any cabinet doors, etc. Nothing is etched in stone, so if you feel it needs to be a bit higher make that decision. As far as sconces on either side of the fireplace – the standard for a wall sconce is about 5 feet from the floor to the middle of the sconce – however hanging depends on the height of the mantel as well as the height of the ceiling. There really are no hard-fast rules as each fireplace is different. One thing to make sure of is the size of the sconces should be in harmony with the size of the space. We wish we could give you a concrete answer, but your best bet is to get an electrician to help you make the determination.
The Style Studio Team
Hi, My master bedroom is only 8′ in height. I had wanted to use the six arm claire but was told by my electrician that it would be too long so I have to go with a shorter fixture. With an 8′ ceiling, what is the appropriate length for a chandelier? My husband and I are short and we are the only ones using our room….thanks much.
Carmen: We agree with your electrician – safety first! Have you looked at our Ceiling Mounted Lights? The Anastasia Ceiling Mount is 11 3/4″ in height and may be okay, our Claire Ceiling Mount is 10 1/2″in height – although the bottom of the light should be at 7 1/2′ – either of these lights are a bit longer – so the choice is yours. Let us know how things work out.
The Style Studio Team