Hello all you wonderful people!
It’s the new year, which means we’re ringing it in with a lot of new renovations that we’re really excited about sharing with all of you. But in the meantime, we thought that today may be a great moment to talk about lighting. A few frequently asked questions, if you will… and we’re covering them all here. As you’re probably well aware, we adore working with Kichler Lighting as a wonderful source for the home. They’ve just released some more new fabulous lights, so be sure to check them out on their site!
What are some trends you’re seeing right now?
Right now, more than ever, we’re seeing people want to change their homes up, because they’ve been staring at those ceilings for a while now. They’re bringing in character with easy fixes, like rugs, pillows, and also… lighting. It’s a great way to make a big impact with a smaller addition, without breaking the bank.
They bring so much to a space.
As far as trends with lighting in particular, large and in charge still rules the space. We’re also seeing a lot of lighting as statement pieces, and warmer tones, as well as mixing finishes, for the win.
Can you go too large over a kitchen island?
Survey says: No. We think that as long as the entire design strikes a good balance, larger is better and oh so appealing to make a real statement piece in a kitchen. One of the biggest mistakes that we see in builder grade homes, are that contractors are choosing lights that are smaller to save money. This is a chance to make an impact, and it’s a lost design moment. Go big. It’s a great statement and brings in so much character in such an easy way. {Check out Kichler’s pendants here.}
I’m looking to find balance with lights? How do I do this?
This one is a little harder to call, without seeing the specific space. We think that it’s important to have a combination of canned lighting, decorative ceiling lights, and sconces or lamps all in a space, to strike a well-lit room and balance when it comes to lighting. If you’re in a kitchen, the best way to add balance is under cabinet lighting. We think that it’s a smart way to illuminate a room. It cozies it up, and gives it immediate appeal.
In an open room, like our own great room for instance, we used a combo of various chandeliers and pendant lights throughout the room, to contrast with one another, and bring balance to the space. We just think varying your options and spreading them out are a great way to start.
What’s the trickiest installation you’ve done?
Remodels are not just a new build. They’re the process of working within the given parameters, and it’s important to work with the space, to bring it to life.
This kitchen’s before, had a lot of requirements and needs. It was a remodel that was removing one of the awkward columns to really open up the space in the kitchen, but they couldn’t remove both columns. Because of that, the L-shaped island was unequal, but really needed some balance with lighting above, so that the space didn’t feel so empty. No matter how we measured and spaced them when trying to disperse them equally, they just weren’t looking right.
In the end, we could follow “the rules” all day, but it was an issue of eyeballing them for the best possible placement, and making sure they felt equal with visual weight. The globes really anchored the space, and brought the eye up to add interest, without blocking spacious, tall windows with a view on the other side. {Our clients wanted to keep their views open, so that was also an important factor.} It was all a lot of requirements to work with, and sometimes, the best solution, is simply going with your experience and instincts. We love the fun outcome with these, and felt like their placement gave them a fun, eclectic feel.
What are rules of thumb I should stick to when it comes to certain measurements?
Speaking of rules… Because each home and light fixture is different, these can vary. We think it’s important to stay flexible based on the space. Sometimes your own walls and situation really dictate what you can do, and it’s easy for clients to forget this during a renovation.
But here are a few that we like to use as reference points:
Over a dining table?
The standard ceiling height is 8′. The standard dining table height is 30″. There’s a lot of wiggle room in between the “standards”.
So make sure that your chandelier has a minimum of 30-36″ clearance over the table.
This is the above spaces’ before! We love the drastic change an entire remodel did for this lovely home.
Over a bathroom mirror or to the side of one?
Again, sometimes this can vary by the homeowner and what they wish. But a good rule of thumb, is to stick to around a minimum of 6″ from the mirror with sconces, or the existing door frame. Around 60″ from the floor, and 24-30″ clearance from the bathroom counter.
As far as placement over the mirror, we keep it pretty lose, just based on the mirror and what the homeowner prefers. The biggest mistake we see, is people’s desire to hang things too high as a default, so make sure that the mirror {if rectangular} is just above the vanity, and then the light is just above, placed accordingly. As seen above, if the mirror is circular, one definitely has more leeway. Sometimes, faucet placement influences this too, so again, lots of factors.
The proper height of pendants?
This is the same rule as with chandeliers – keep pendants at about 30 – 36 inches for clearance, based on the counter height. Again, you can see exceptions to the rule here, based on the space. We believe it’s all about making the space visually appealing, and sometimes wiggle room is called for.
Note: A good electrician will be able to make recommendations based on their own experience, so consult them as well, when in doubt. However, if it looks right, go with your gut.
Any recommendations you can make on what to do before pulling the trigger to purchase a light?
Measure. Twice.
To get a strong visual of how large that actual light would be, cut out a piece of poster board, and put it in the space. For example, have someone hold it over a table at the right height, or against the wall in a bathroom, to make sure it feels right with it’s weight. This is going to be very different than the actual light, based on the design… but it still gives you an idea as to the actual size. That way, there is no buyer’s remorse.
How do you feel about mixing finishes?
Of course we believe in doing what you love. However, we think that mixing finishes works better in larger spaces, and making sure that said finishes are actually repeated throughout the space, so that they reinforce one another, and look intentional.
For instance, we wouldn’t recommend doing one of each in a smaller bathroom. Brass faucet + black light + chrome knobs don’t really make much sense. But if you have black in one piece, echo it in another, and then again in another element within the space, such as a knob. Contrast that with another finish, repeated more than once, and you have a recipe for success.
Any preferences for lights above beds?
Most people say that the chandelier should hang about seven feet above the ground, to give everyone below plenty of clearance. If you poke around on our site, you’ll see that we don’t always stick with that, much to my 6’4″ husband’s dismay. It’s all about the impact, baby! Seriously though, a good recommendation again, but just making sure you have clearance.
Any tips for outdoor lighting?
We say mix it up, just like finding balance in your lighting throughout a space.
It helps to find what you love, and make sure it serves its purpose well at night, more than anything.
Light fixtures outside a home don’t necessarily have to match perfectly, but they do need to ‘go’ so that the overall feel works with the rest, cohesively.
Also, consider all the ways that you can light a home. From landscape lighting to special installations for stairs, there are some great possibilities out there to diversify and make your home appealing.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this little FAQ session today! Thank you so much for all of your questions.
If you didn’t see your question mentioned above, or have more questions, be sure to list them below.
We would love to hear!
Every single one of the photos featured here with our own renovations, feature the fabulous Kichler Lighting. Be sure to check them out for more beautiful ideas.
Have an inspired day!
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