My Complete Guide To Hanging Lighting
Photo: Sara Ligorria Tramp
The easiest way to see your space in a whole new light? Updating your lighting. But besides choosing the ideal pendant or chandelier for a room, it’s just as important to know how it should be hung. The correct height can make a fixture a whole lot more functional (and prevent any heads from bumping into it). So let me show you how to handle it – with my guide to hanging lighting the right way.
I’ve had lots of experience hanging lighting in all sorts of different spaces, from living rooms with soaring ceilings to cramped kitchens. But no matter the room (or ceiling height), there are plenty of tips I’ve learned along the way. I’ve also created handy visual guides for hanging lighting in your kitchen, dining room, and living room.
For more lighting tips, check out Rental-Friendly Apartment Lighting Ideas, The Best Lighting for Mental Health at Home, and CLICK HERE to watch me show you how to easily change out a light fixture.
Photo: Kara Mercer
Guide To Hanging Lighting
Kitchen Lighting
Properly illuminating your kitchen is essential for creating a functional space. (You def need light to actually see what you’re cooking!) So when hanging pendants, it’s important to keep function at the forefront. Here are some of my top tips for getting it right.
- THE IDEAL HEIGHT
Hang lighting with at least 30″ – 36″ between the bottom of a fixture and the top of a counter. This will provide enough room for you to work, without your head awkwardly running into any lighting.
- CONSIDER SCALE
The larger your kitchen (and island), the larger your pendants can be. Kitchens with higher ceilings can also accommodate fixtures that have a larger or heavier visual feel.
- KEEP THINGS CENTERED
Lighting should be centered on an island or counter, and not extend past the edge
Photo: Kara Mercer
Guide To Hanging Lighting
Dining Room Lighting
Lighting in your dining room can make a very stylish statement. But if it’s not hung correctly, it could be all fashion and no function. So be sure to follow this advice when you’re ready to hang.
- THE IDEAL HEIGHT
Just like your kitchen lighting, dining room lighting should be hung with at least 30″ – 36″ between the bottom of a fixture and the tabletop.
- CONSIDER YOUR TABLE SHAPE
For a foolproof way to choose a chandelier, just look at the shape of your dining table. A rectangular chandelier will work well for a rectangular table and a round chandelier for a round table.
- KEEP THINGS CENTERED
If your junction box (where your lighting connects to power in the ceiling) is not perfectly centered over your dining table, you can easily swag your fixture instead of calling an electrician. It just involves screwing a large hook into the ceiling and “swagging” the chain so the light is properly centered. Check out the easy guide to doing it Here.
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Photo: Kara Mercer
Guide To Hanging Lighting
Living Room Lighting
A chandelier can be a lovely addition to a living room. And for it to really shine brightly, you’ll want to make sure it’s in proportion to the size of the room and other furnishings. Here are a few other suggestions you’ll want to keep in mind as well.
- THE IDEAL HEIGHT
You’ll want to leave a minimum of at least 7′ of clearance below a chandelier (for someone to comfortably walk underneath it). But if you have a ceiling higher than 8′, you can increase the height by 3″ for each additional foot.
- CONSIDER THE SIZE OF THE ROOM
For rooms smaller than 10’ x 10’ feet, choose a chandelier that is 17” to 20” wide. For rooms about 12’ x 12’, choose a chandelier that is 22” to 27” wide for proper scale.
- THINK ABOUT THE OTHER ELEMENTS
When choosing a chandelier, think about what it will be in front of when you look into your living room. If it will hang in front of a mantel with a busy piece of art or a tall set of styled bookshelves, you may want to consider a more simplified design that won’t compete. If the sightline is less busy, a more intricate design would work well.
Guide To Hanging Lighting
Frequently Asked Questions
How high should I hang pendant lights over a kitchen island?
Leave at least 30 to 36 inches between the bottom of the fixture and the top of the counter. That gives you enough room to work and see across the island without bumping your head.
How high should a dining room chandelier hang above the table?
The same rule applies: 30 to 36 inches between the bottom of the fixture and the tabletop. If you have a very high ceiling, you can hang it toward the higher end of that range, so the fixture feels connected to the table instead of floating.
How much clearance do I need under a living room chandelier?
You want at least 7 feet of clearance below the fixture so people can walk underneath comfortably. If your ceiling is taller than 8 feet, add about 3 inches of hanging height for every additional foot of ceiling height.
How do I choose the right size chandelier for my room?
Start with the room’s dimensions. For a room smaller than 10 x 10 feet, I’d choose a chandelier that’s 17 to 20 inches wide. For a room around 12 x 12 feet, go for 22 to 27 inches wide so the fixture feels properly scaled to the space.
What shape chandelier should I choose for my dining table?
Match the shape of the fixture to the shape of your table. A rectangular or linear chandelier works well over a rectangular table, and a round chandelier works well over a round table.
What if my ceiling junction box isn’t centered over my table or island?
You don’t have to call an electrician or move the junction box. You can swag the fixture instead, which means screwing a large hook into the ceiling where you want the light to hang and looping the chain over to it. That lets you center the light perfectly over your table.
Should pendant lights be centered over the island?
Yes. Keep the lighting centered on the island or counter, and make sure the fixtures don’t extend past its edges, so the lighting looks intentional and in proportion to the space.
How do I choose a chandelier if my living room already has a lot going on visually?
Think about what the chandelier will hang in front of when you look into the room. If it sits in front of a busy mantel, artwork, or styled bookshelves, choose a simpler design so it doesn’t compete. If the sightline is quieter, that’s a great place for a more intricate fixture.
