How to Determine The Proper Height For A Pendant Lamp
Think about what effect you want from this lamp., Consider where you want the lamp to hang., Hang a lamp over a kitchen table or island., Hang a lamp over the floor., Have another person help you decide on the height., Practice walking across the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Think about what effect you want from this lamp.
Think about what you want from the pendant light.
Is it meant to provide a bright light for working or a soft mood light? A chandelier might overwhelm a small space while a more utilitarian lamp could look too harsh for your living area.
Decide if the lamp's purpose and design will match the room's décor.
A light fixture made of chrome or stainless steel will look sleek and modern.
Blown glass gives an artistic feel.
Chandeliers are more romantic and elegant. -
Step 2: Consider where you want the lamp to hang.
Consider the size of your light.
As a general rule of thumb, a larger light can be moved higher while a smaller light can be moved lower.
Consider the size of the room.
How tall is the ceiling? Rooms with unusually high ceilings require lights that are bigger and hang lower.
If you are hanging the light over a table or a kitchen island, think about the size of that as well.
If you have a large table, you can get away with hanging your lamp slightly higher up.
Also, look at the shape of your table.
Is it round, square, or rectangular? If you have a rectangular table, an island, or a counter, you will likely need more than one hanging pendant light. , Start with 28 to 34 inches (71.1 to
86.4 cm), measuring from the bottom of the hanging light and the surface of your table.
This range will be your base measurement.
Use it as a rough guideline when planning the placement of your light.
When hanging a light over a table, be sure to plan for the height of the people that may use that space.
Nobody wants a light glaring in his or her eyes or knocking them in the head while they are chopping vegetables. , Plan for roughly 84 to 96 inches (213.4 to
243.8 cm) from the bottom of the light to the floor.
You should provide at least 1 foot (0.3 m) of clearance for the person walking below.
Calculate according to the height of the ceiling.
For an 8-foot ceiling, a pendant lamp should hang about 12 to 20 inches (30.5 to
50.8 cm) below.
For each additional foot of ceiling height, add 3 inches (7.6 cm). , One of the best ways to decide on the perfect height of your pendant light is to get someone else to lower or raise the light while you stand a distance away to see how it all looks. , This will allow you to make sure the lamp is not blocking your view, knocking into your head, or interfering in any way with your routine. -
Step 3: Hang a lamp over a kitchen table or island.
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Step 4: Hang a lamp over the floor.
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Step 5: Have another person help you decide on the height.
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Step 6: Practice walking across the room or sitting down at the table while your partner holds the light in place.
Detailed Guide
Think about what you want from the pendant light.
Is it meant to provide a bright light for working or a soft mood light? A chandelier might overwhelm a small space while a more utilitarian lamp could look too harsh for your living area.
Decide if the lamp's purpose and design will match the room's décor.
A light fixture made of chrome or stainless steel will look sleek and modern.
Blown glass gives an artistic feel.
Chandeliers are more romantic and elegant.
Consider the size of your light.
As a general rule of thumb, a larger light can be moved higher while a smaller light can be moved lower.
Consider the size of the room.
How tall is the ceiling? Rooms with unusually high ceilings require lights that are bigger and hang lower.
If you are hanging the light over a table or a kitchen island, think about the size of that as well.
If you have a large table, you can get away with hanging your lamp slightly higher up.
Also, look at the shape of your table.
Is it round, square, or rectangular? If you have a rectangular table, an island, or a counter, you will likely need more than one hanging pendant light. , Start with 28 to 34 inches (71.1 to
86.4 cm), measuring from the bottom of the hanging light and the surface of your table.
This range will be your base measurement.
Use it as a rough guideline when planning the placement of your light.
When hanging a light over a table, be sure to plan for the height of the people that may use that space.
Nobody wants a light glaring in his or her eyes or knocking them in the head while they are chopping vegetables. , Plan for roughly 84 to 96 inches (213.4 to
243.8 cm) from the bottom of the light to the floor.
You should provide at least 1 foot (0.3 m) of clearance for the person walking below.
Calculate according to the height of the ceiling.
For an 8-foot ceiling, a pendant lamp should hang about 12 to 20 inches (30.5 to
50.8 cm) below.
For each additional foot of ceiling height, add 3 inches (7.6 cm). , One of the best ways to decide on the perfect height of your pendant light is to get someone else to lower or raise the light while you stand a distance away to see how it all looks. , This will allow you to make sure the lamp is not blocking your view, knocking into your head, or interfering in any way with your routine.
About the Author
Jerry Gonzalez
Enthusiastic about teaching practical skills techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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