Shop for Lighting Like an Expert, And You’ll Never Get Buyer’s Remorse
Words By Olivia Lidbury
Photography by Michael P. H. Clifford; Design by Jake Arnold
Lighting: it’s both a necessity and the ultimate finishing touch.
When employed masterfully, it’ll instantly lend ambience to a space. But unlike fabric swatches and paint samples, there’s no try-before-you-buy with lighting fixtures. And that’s the stumbling block: overly cautious renovators will install too many sources (making a room appear brighter than a mall), but play it too safe and you’ll be left with a frustratingly dim space.
Our Experts approach lighting via layers to create softly illuminated pockets all around a room. A wall sconce here, a flush mount there—it’s all about the balance. Not sure where to start (and cautious of making common mistakes)? Treat this as a beginner’s lighting guide…
Photography by Michael P. H. Clifford; Design by Jake Arnold
Mastering the lingo
Don’t know your ULs from your Kelvins? UL-listed goods means a product is fire- and electrical-safe; all new lighting should have this as standard, but it’s worth checking with vintage pieces if the rewiring is up to current standards (for Kelvins, keep reading)...
Dimmable does what it says: this is a valuable function if you want to be able to adjust the brightness at the turn of a dial. Most Experts would argue, it’s a must.
Task versus accent lighting
We get it—that sculptural chandelier is far more riveting than choosing task lights, but often, one can’t co-exist without the other. Start with the practicalities of evenly lighting a space with flush-mounts, recessed lights, or directional fixtures. Do you need bright light where you’ll be chopping vegetables at the kitchen counter? Chances are, the answer is yes. Once that’s covered, you can think about a secondary layer of softer sources, such as wall sconces and accent pendants.
Photography courtesy of Roll & Hill
Ceiling lights
Debating between a flush mount and a pendant? A well-chosen pendant will provide a blend of form and function. Paying close attention to scale will lead to installation success.
For example, above a kitchen island, fixtures should reach around 30" to 36" from the countertop and multiples should be placed 30" apart for optimal airflow and light spread.
The 30" to 36" drop rule applies to lights above dining tables too, but you’ll want to get your proportions right: your chosen piece should be at least 6" narrower than the width of your table, and with round styles, between 1/2 and 3/4 of the diameter.
There is less at stake when choosing a flush mount (and many do boast fun, decorative edges). A smart choice for the hardworking areas of bathrooms and kitchens, they’re also a godsend where low-ceilings threaten to spoil the fun.
Wall lights
Particularly effective across large spaces and hallways, wall lights and sconces give an unmatchable glow. If hanging in pairs or more, consider leaving a minimum of 8” to 10” between each fixture for a balanced spread of light. Picture lights fall into this category, effectively illuminating your chosen artwork (or bookcase). The fitting should be angled at 30 degrees from the piece, and measure half the width of the framed piece below it.
Photography courtesy of Workstead
Bedroom lights
The tried-and-tested formula when it comes to bedrooms goes something like this: chandelier over the bed, table lamps on the bedsides, and articulated wall lights for nighttime reading. If the latter has a switch, make sure you can easily reach it from a sitting position. For best results, leave approximately 55" to 60" of space from the floor to the top of the sconce.
Bathroom lights
Alas, you can’t simply put any lighting you fancy in a damp space. UL listings are also determined by location—in this scenario ‘wet’ (like in the shower) or ‘damp’, so pay close attention to the small print. Wall lights are a popular feature in a bathroom to help anchor and illuminate the main mirror. If you’re choosing a linear wall light for this function, make sure it measures at last three-quarters o f the width of the mirror. If you have two mirrors lined up side-by-side, play around with adding a sconce in between the pair. It’s also important to get height right: opt for just above eye level, or around 60" to 65" from the floor to the center height of the sconce backplate.
Photography by Nicki Sebastian; Design by Brigette Romanek
Outdoor Lights
The same rules apply as bathrooms here: if a fixture is primed to get drenched on a patio, then it needs to be able to stand up to the weather conditions. Increasing visibility is key when lighting up an outdoor space: flank a pair of wall lights on either side of a door or position a single fixture on the same side as the doorknob to help you at night, and opt for eye level. For an effective spread of light, the fixture should measure at least 1/4 the height of the door.
Get your bulbs right
Finally, remember that the performance of your light is only as good as your choice of lightbulb. Kelvins (k) denote the temperature scale, so the higher the number, the whiter the light. Cool, whiter light (3000K) is well-suited to high-visibility areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, while warm light (1800K-2700K) is best for cozy spaces like bedrooms and living rooms.
Feeling confident? Find the lighting of your dreams.