Do you see the light?
Let’s start in the dining room.
I hear it all the time. I saw it in the showroom, it looked great, now it doesn’t look the same at home. There is a reason for this. The showroom doesn’t have a tangible ceiling, or walls for that matter, and the fixture you saw may be crowded by other displays.
So, how do you make sure you are buying what is perfect for your space? It’s a numbers game, a mathematical equation that makes it simpler. Here are some basic design rules to go by.
The fixture should be 12” or less in diameter than the table.
Example- Table is 44” wide, chandelier max diameter is 32”.
If you have a very long table, consider doing two chandeliers or a rectangular fixture. Many manufacturers make oblong fixtures, and not just for kitchen islands. The allure of this type of fixture is the light is not focused solely on the center. Be brave. Think outside of the round shape.
Uplight or Downlight? I don’t consider this a design right or wrong. It is a preference. Down lights are more task oriented. Up is for general overall lighting. Go with a fixture that speaks to you and your personal design style.
Dining rooms need no less than 200 watts for ample lighting. My favorite thing to do is the chandelier over the table and 4 hi-hats around the perimeter. Dimmer switches are worth the expense. Ambiance is magical!
The chandelier over a dining table should hang approx. 30-32” above the table. This varies depending on the fixture. You should be able to see the person across the table without something in your way.
Still can’t visualize how it will look? Try taking a picture of the room, email it to yourself and print it… just in black and white is fine. Then sketch the new fixture into the room to see if you like the shape there. If you don’t think you can sketch it, print the picture from the internet. Reminds me of the colorforms I played with as a little girl.
Wishing you tons of enjoyment from your new purchase!
If you struggle with interior design decisions, consider a Design Therapy appointment with Marcy. Call for more details.
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