Lighting Advice: Tips From the Trade

There's a saying that rules are made to be broken, but sometimes rules give us a starting point. Especially when it comes to decor. I think most folks do what they want within reason ignoring those "old" rules that once defined the homes of many. Function and comfort trump perfection and formality as we try to create a safe haven free from a world of chaos. Still there are those daunting questions that pop up from time to time when making lighting changes. Here are a few rules shared by designers that at least give you a place to start when making some of these decisions. Of course not everything falls into the cookie cutter mold, but this can at least help you to move in the right direction.

1. Chandelier size. This is a great tip for finding the appropriate chandelier size for a room. Add the length and width of a room in feet and your chandelier's diameter should match that in inches.

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2. Chandelier height. Ever wonder how high to hang the chandelier over the table? It should hang 60-66" above the floor.

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3. Bathroom lighting. We've all been there. The overhead light is not our friend - especially when standing in front of a mirror. Sconces that flank the mirror (if you have room) are much more flattering.

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4. Sconce height. Now that you've decided to use sconces beside the mirror rather than above it, where do you hang them? Normally 66" from floor to mid-sconce is a good starting point.

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5. Do my lamps have to match? This is very much a personal preference. I'm a symmetry girl and tend to go with pairs of matching side tables, lamps, etc. Many times we are working with what we have. In this case two lamps that don't match work together as long as they are similar in scale and about the same height.