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Sizing Guide

Finding the perfect size light fixture for your home is one of the most important steps to take before purchasing a light. Lights that are too big/small will look out of place and can ruin the overall aesthetic appeal of a home. Be sure to check out these size guides! Still have questions? Feel free to email us at cs@lightingdesign.com or schedule a FREE virtual consultation

A guide to lighting measurements

Pendants should be about 20”-30” apart. To figure out how wide each pendant should be, complete the following steps. 

(1) Measure the length of your kitchen island in inches.

(2) Determine how many pendants you want and the diameter of each pendant. 

(3) Add the diameters for a combined diameter. 

(4) Subtract the combined diameter from the length of the kitchen island. 

(5) Add “1” to the number of pendants to account for the space between each pendant. 

(6) Divide your subtracted value by the new number of pendants. 

(7) Adjust pendant sizing accordingly. 


A diagram of a chandelier and a table


If hanging a linear light over your kitchen island, the linear light should be no longer than ⅔ the island's length. It should also hang at least 36” high from the island's top.

A table with a chandelier and measurements


If hanging a round chandelier over a rectangular table, be sure to hang it about 30”-36” from the top of the table. There should also be at least 6” of space on each side of the chandelier. 


A table with a chandelier


When hanging a round fixture over a round dining table, be sure it hangs at least 30”-36” high and is no bigger than ⅔ the diameter of the table. 


A diagram of a chandelier and a table


If hanging a linear light above a rectangular table, be sure it is no longer than ⅔ the length of the table. 


A diagram of a ceiling fan size

For ceiling fans in living rooms or family rooms above are the recommended dimensions. For rooms less than 100 square feet we recommend a 36-44” fan, rooms that are 100-150 square feet can hold a 52-56” ceiling fan, and rooms that are greater than 150 square feet can hold a 60-72” ceiling fan. 


Don’t forget the downrod! The following are the recommended downrod length based on ceiling heights. 9’ ceiling equals a 6” downrod, 10’ ceiling equals a 12” downrod, 12’ ceiling is a 24” downrod, 14’ ceiling is a 36” downrod, 16’ ceiling is a 48” downrod, 18’ ceiling is a 60” downrod, and a 20’ ceiling is a 72” downrod.


A screenshot of a phone screen


If hanging a chandelier in a living room follow these steps. (1) Measure room dimensions (length, width, and ceiling height). (2) Add length + width and convert to inches. For example, a 10’ x 10’ room would convert to 20”. So the recommended chandelier width is about 20”. Finally, leave at least 7’ of space between the floor and the bottom of the chandelier. For example, a room with a 9’ ceiling should have a fixture with an overall height no larger than 24”.

A screenshot of a step by step instructions


When hanging a light in a bathroom, be sure the fixture is no longer than ¾ the length of the mirror. 

A bathroom sizing guide with a mirror and sink


If lighting a bathroom with sconces, be sure to hang the sconces equidistant on both sides and in between the mirror. Place them at eye level or about 63-65” from the ground to the middle of the sconce.



When hanging a bedside sconce, be sure to center it over the nightstand. Hang it just below eye level or about 55-60” from the floor to the middle of the sconce.


A bathroom with a mirror and sink


If hanging a chandelier in a bedroom follow these steps. (1) Measure room dimensions (length, width, and ceiling height). (2) Add length + width and convert to inches. For example, a 10’ x 10’ room would convert to 20”. So the recommended chandelier width is about 20”. Finally, leave at least 7’ of space between the floor and the bottom of the chandelier. For example, a room with a 9’ ceiling should have a fixture with an overall height no larger than 24”.

A bed size measurement with a light fixture


For picture lighting, be sure that the picture light is no bigger than ½ the length of the picture it will be hanging over.

A screenshot of a step by step instructions


If hanging a light in a hallway, be sure it is a minimum of 4’ from the end/beginning of the hallway or other light fixtures and a minimum of 7’ from floor to bottom of the fixture. The width of the ceiling light fixture should be no bigger than ½ the width of the hallway. 


A white couch in a room with a black light fixture

If the home entryway is 10’ or taller, a 2-tier chandelier is typically recommended. Leave at least 6” of space on either side of the fixture from the walls.

A diagram of a door and a-plant
A diagram of a door with a plant

An exterior fixture outside a door or garage should be about ¼ the length of the door. It should hang at eye level or about 60-65” from the ground to the middle of the fixture. The same applies to double doors and garages.