There are a lot of “rules” about scale out there, especially when it comes to lighting. Of course, you need to be able to walk under a fixture if it’s over a walkway, or hang it high enough over a table so you don’t bump your head. But beyond that, I almost always think that bigger is better when it comes to lighting.
Chandelier | Primary Bedroom Sources
I consider light fixtures the jewelry of the home. They’re a place where I’m willing to spend a little more money to make a big statement. Interestingly, people will drop thousands on a diamond ring without a second thought, but hesitate to spend that much on their home. I’m the opposite. My jewelry is not very expensive, so I have no problem spending “jewelry money” on my house!
Chandelier (similar) | Greta’s Room Sources
Here’s the thing: You probably need a bigger light fixture than you think you do. I’m breaking down some of my tips below.
Make a Dramatic Statement
The formula for light fixtures should really be: the taller your ceiling, the bigger your light fixture.
Over a dining room table, the general rule of thumb is a light fixture should be 30-36 inches from the tabletop. But this formula is really for a standard 8-foot ceiling. In our dining room, our ceilings are vaulted, ranging from 12-16 feet. We ended up hanging our chandelier about 40 inches from the table, which felt right for the space.
(For more on this, see A Guide on Hanging a Chandelier Over a Dining Table)
In our entryway, we have a very large fixture, and yet it still feels small to me. The reason? It’s not grounded by any furniture. The light in our living room is a similar size, but it feels more proportionate because it’s centered in the room with furniture underneath it, making the space feel cozier and more grounded.
Here’s the original light that came with the house:
And here’s what we installed:
Small fixtures can work, but they have to be an intentional design choice. For example, in our playroom, we have mini semi-flush mounts instead of the even more minimal recessed can lights. These lights add a bit of style and feel deliberate. They also provide more even light over a larger room, because there are a lot of them.
Go Up a “Level”
Does your home have hallways and bathrooms with flush-mount lights? I’m betting it did at one point if it doesn’t now. No shade to flush-mounts, but if you’re thinking of replacing them at some point for something more your style, consider going up to semi-flush mounts if your ceilings are over 8-feet high. And if you have semi-flush mounts, consider a chandelier or pendant.
We hung some round pendant lights in our upstairs hallway leading to the playroom, and it makes the pathway feel so much more elevated.
Here’s the before:
And the after:
Pendants | Curtains | Curtain Rods | Gallery Wall
Don’t Be Afraid to Go Big
When we were designing our bathroom lighting plan, I could have chosen a smaller, more understated chandelier, but I saw it as an opportunity to make a statement—and I’m never one to pass up that chance!
The same goes for our dining room. With the high ceilings, a smaller fixture would have looked totally lost. Initially, we had a black lantern pendant over our round table. While it was quite tall, it’s not very wide.
What we learned is that the width of the fixture is just as important as the height, especially for a large space. A wider fixture with multiple bulbs coming off it fills the space more effectively, and I love how we have changed the feel over the years with this chandelier and now this chandelier!
Chandelier | Dining Room Sources
A great way to make a statement is through size, but you can also do it with color, material, or shape. For example, our bubble chandelier in the study is a statement piece not because of its massive size, but because of its unique material and shape. See what a difference it makes from the small chandelier that was in there before?
When you’re looking for a light fixture, don’t just shop by price. You can find grand-sized fixtures at every price point online (and don’t forget about Facebook Marketplace). The most important thing is to find the scale that works for your room first, and then you can narrow down your options by material and cost.
For example: Instead of searching for a “chandelier under $500,” try searching for “36-inch wide chandeliers” and then filtering your search by price. This will help you find the perfect piece that will truly be the jewelry of your home.
The office will forever be my favorite! Love everything about it, and how honest you were about getting the paint color right to best complement the wallpaper. Paint can be elusive!
Will you show us more of your playroom with the mini semi flush mounts, please? It feels like a relatable room for our family!