Choosing your lighting may seem simple, but there are a few rules to follow to ensure balance and harmony in your decor. Explore our wide selection of indoor lighting. Check out our tips!
The types of lighting
In most rooms, we are looking for three types of lighting: general lighting, task lighting and accent lighting. General lighting, also called ambient lighting, allows to light uniformly the entire room. They can be recessed or ceiling lights, for example. Task lighting is used to light a specific surface, such as countertops or the bathroom or kitchen vanity. As for accent lighting, it is used to create an atmosphere and to highlight architectural details or beautiful decorative objects.
The ideal pendant size
In general, pendant lights should be proportional to the size of the room and the furniture. It is better not to have a pendant larger than the table or a small pendant that is lost in a spacious room. In a room of 10 to 15 square metres, it is appropriate to install a pendant of a 15-inch diameter maximum. In a room of 20 square metres or more, you shall fit a pendant of a 25-inch diameter or more.
For a dining room, the table dimensions must be measured before purchasing the pendant. There is a simple calculation to make so you can choose a pendant of the ideal size. Simply take the table length and subtract 12 inches; it will give you the desired measure of the pendant diameter (for example: a table length of 40 inches – 12 inches = 28-inch diameter for the lighting). If you pick a linear pendant, take the table length, subtract 12 inches and you will have the desired length. As for the width, it should be at the minimum the half of the table width. If you choose to align three pendants, measure the table length, subtract 12 inches and distribute the three lights equally in the calculated space.
The right height
A pendant fixed at the wrong height could be blinding or block your view of the person seated in front of you. Not quite useful! In the dining room, the distance between the table top and the bottom of the pendant should be between 30 and 36 inches if the ceiling height is 8 feet. If the ceiling is higher, you can allow a little more space. For a kitchen island, you should calculate about 70 inches from the floor to the bottom of the pendant.
The perfect style
The most interesting aspect of choosing your lighting: the style! This accessory can really make a huge difference in a room. In a bohemian, botanical or scandicraft inspired decor, you can look for natural materials like rattan and bamboo. In a mid-century modern decor, you can opt for luminous globes with a brass base. For a more classical style, you can choose stainless steel or a chandelier type.
