The Right Height to Hang Light Fixtures: How Big, How Long & More…

LIGHTING TIPS: How High, How Long & How Big?

(Sounds a bit like my love life – wink wink)

Hanging light fixtures is not just about popping in a bulb and calling it a day; there are numbers you need to know.

While the traditional, standard ceiling height is eight feet, nine-foot ceilings have vied for the top spot in the last two decades. But, regardless of your ceiling height, I’ve got some great tips below to help you hang your light right.

PLEASE REMEMBER, there are ALWAYS exceptions depending on the style of the room, the light fixture and the surface it’s hanging above!

THE RIGHT HEIGHT TO HANG A DINING LIGHT OR CHANDELIER

• 8-foot ceilings: 32 – 36 inches between the top of your table and the bottom of your fixture
• 9-foot ceilings: 36 – 40 inches between the top of your table and the bottom of your fixture
• 10-foot ceilings: 40 – 44 inches between the top of your table and the bottom of your fixture

To sum that up, the general guidelines are as follows…

‘Your light fixture should hang 30 – 36 inches from the top of your table if you have an 8-foot ceiling. For every foot of ceiling height beyond 8 feet, add 3-6 inches to the length of your chain/wire’.

Ceilings higher than that…well, you do the math. However, if your ceiling is extraordinarily high (like an 18-footer), the light should hang approximately six feet from the ceiling (meaning six feet of airspace, but again, this can depend on the HEIGHT of the fixture.

HOW BIG SHOULD A DINING ROOM LIGHT BE?

Not all lights or tables are created equal, so let’s break things down a little…

OVER A CIRCULAR OR OVAL DINING TABLE

Ideally, your light fixture should be 1/2 to 3/4 the width of your table. This works whether your table is a circle or an oval.

• 42-inch wide table: your light would be approx. 21-31 inches wide
• 48-inch wide table: your light would be approx. 24-36 inches wide
• 60-inch wide table: your light would be approx. 30-45 inches wide

OVER A 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’s approx. 1/2 the width of the table and approx. 1/2 to 2/3 as long.

• 42-inch square table: your light would be approx. 20 inches
• 42 x 78 inches: your light would be approx. 21 inches wide x 54 inches long

THE RIGHT HEIGHT TO HANG A WALL SCONCE

The standard height to hang a wall sconce is 66 – 72 inches from the floor. I lean towards the higher end in a hallway, whereas in a bedroom (like above bedside tables), I go lower (but almost always prefer table lamps).

HOW BIG?

Wall sconces have no set guidelines, giving you a ton of flexibility. However, here’s some food for thought…

• If you want to make a statement, look for a light fixture with a glass shade mounted on a larger piece of metal.
• If you have a tall wall, consider an overly long wall sconce.
• Pay attention to the height and depth of a fixture, as some sconces stick out quite far, which can look awkward down a hallway.
• Note whether the light only shines out the top/bottom or filters through a clear or frosted glass or fabric shade.

Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace Paint Color Review

HOW HIGH SHOULD BATHROOM LIGHT FIXTURES BE?

Lighting above the mirror should be approximately 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.

Ideas to Update Your 1990s Bathroom

If you’re hanging sconces on either side of a mirror, you’ll want them to be at eye level, approx. 60 – 70 inches from the floor.

THE RIGHT HEIGHT TO HANG PENDANT LIGHTS OVER AN ISLAND OR PENINSULA

If you’re hanging pendants over an island or peninsula, you should have approximately 30-36 inches of airspace between the bottom of your fixture and the top of your counter surface.

The Best White & Off-White Quartz Countertops

6 Ideas to Update Your Wood Cabinets

HOW 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 10-12 inches from the widest part of your countertop. So, if your island is three 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 approximately 30 inches between bulbs. Consider 24 – 30 inches between bulbs if your pendants are extraordinarily large.

How Light Bulbs Affect Paint Colors

HANGING A LIGHT FIXTURE IN AN ENTRYWAY

You 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-story entryway, you don’t want the light hanging below the second story (so it’s in the first story’s airspace). On the other hand, if you have a window on your two-story wall, you might consider hanging the light so that it’s centered on the window.

Benjamin Moore White Dove Paint Color Review

HOW BIG?

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, something is to be said for an oversized statement light, so don’t let any numbers dissuade you!

So, if you have a room 10 feet wide and 12 feet long, you’ll do 10+12=22 inches– SHAZAAM! There’s your light size, approx. 22 inches.

 I hope you found this blog post en-light-ening (mwah-ha-ha).

READ MORE

How Light Bulbs Affect Paint Colors

How the CRI of Light Bulbs Affect Paint Colors

Ideas to Update Your Living Room: Budget-Friendly

6 Home Update Ideas that are AFFORDABLE! 

The Right Height to Hang Drapes & Rods

The Right Height to Hang Artwork & Mirrors

NEED HELP?

Check out my Online Paint Color packages!