General Tips

• Updating your lighting fixtures can dramatically change the way your home looks without costly home decorating or remodelling.

• When choosing several lighting fixtures for a room, check for available fixtures from the same collection, to match the overall look.

• You can make a room seem larger by washing its walls with even lighting.

• In a large room, lighting up a few areas with pools of light can make the room feel smaller and cozier.

Calculating the Light Needed for Each Room

The formula for calculating the proper amount of light you should have in each room of your home:

Lighting a Foyer

• To determine the proper fixture width, add the length and width dimensions (in feet) of the foyer area together. This number is the proper width (in inches) for the fixture you'll need there.

• To determine the proper fixture height, the bottom of the fixture should be at least 7 feet from the floor. Depending on the ceiling height, you could use a flush mount, a semi-flush, or if you have a tall ceiling, you may use a 2 or 3-tier chandelier.

• If there is a window above the front door, center the chandelier so it can be seen from outside. If the foyer area is large, you may also want to include wall sconces. Install them approximately 60 inches from the floor, 6-8 feet apart.

Lighting a Hallway

• There should be a fixture every 8-10 feet. Either flush mounts, semi-flush fixtures or chandeliers can be used depending on the ceiling height. The bottom of the light fixture should be at least 7 feet from the floor.

• If you have a long hallway, you may want to install wall sconces for added light. Sconces are hung about 60 inches from the floor, spaced 6-8 feet apart along the wall.

Lighting a Living Room

• Your main light in the living room can be a chandelier, a flush mount or semi-flush fixture. The bottom of the fixture should be at least 7 feet from the floor.

• You may add wall sconces, or portable lamps to add more light and ambience. Sconces are hung about 60 inches from the floor.

Lighting a Dining Room

• Your dining room chandelier should be no wider than 12 inches less than the width of the table. The bottom of the chandelier should be lower than 30 inches above the tabletop. This height is for an 8 foot ceiling. Raise the fixture 3 inches higher for each additional foot of ceiling height.

• You can add wall sconces, or portable lamps to add more light and ambience. Sconces are hung about 60 inches from the floor.

Lighting a Kitchen

• You can use a chandelier, a flush mount, or semi-flush fixture as the main light in your kitchen. The bottom of the fixture should be at least 7 feet from the floor.

• To light areas such as kitchen islands, use a decorative island light with 2 or 3 shades, or multiple pendants can be installed over your island for sufficient light and to add a designer element to that area. The bottom of the fixtures should be no lower than 30 inches above the counter top.

• To light a dinette area, use a decorative pendant (single light - since this is generally a smaller eating area) or a mini-chandelier. The bottom of the fixture should be no lower than 30 inches above the tabletop.

Lighting a Bedroom

• You can use a mini-chandelier, a flush mount or a semi-flush fixture as the main light source in your bedroom. The bottom of the fixture should be at least 7 feet from the floor.

• You may add wall sconces, or portable lamps to add more light and ambience. Sconces are hung about 60 inches from the floor.

Lighting a Bathroom

• To light a bathroom with the desirable amount of light for the vanity/mirror, to avoid shadows, install a bathbar at least 24 inches wide over the mirror, plus two wall sconces (one on each side of the mirror) at least 60 inches above the floor.

• If you have a double sink vanity, use a bathbar that is almost as wide as the mirror, or two fixtures (one mounted over each sink). The bathbars should be mounted 78 inches from the floor, centered over the mirror.

• If you have a truly large bathroom, besides the vanity/mirror lighting, you will probably need an additional flush mount, semi-flush fixture or even a small chandelier for a designer touch.

Outdoor Lighting

• You can add wall lanterns on both sides of your front door approximately 66 inches above the bottom of the door, slightly above eye level. The height of the wall lanterns should be from 1/5 to 1/6 of the entrance height.

• Use a single wall lantern on other entrances to the house mounted on the keyhole side of the door.

• You may use a chain hung lantern mounted over the front door beneath an overhang for added light.

• Keep your pathways well lit with lanterns mounted every 8-10 feet for safety.

• You can add a post light near driveways and walkways for added illumination and security.

Cleaning your Fixtures

• Be certain the electric current is turned off before cleaning.

• Clean metal components with a soft cloth, moistened with a mild liquid soap solution.

• Wipe clean and buff with a very soft dry cloth. Under no circumstances should any metal polish be used, as its abrasive nature could damage the protective finish placed on the metal parts.

• Never wash glass shades with an automatic dishwasher. Line a sink with a towel and fill with warm water and a mild liquid soap. Wash glass with a soft cloth, rinse and wipe dry.