Designer 411: Lighting

Design: Chango & Co. (Left), Burnham Design (Top Center), Clean Design Partners (Bottom Center), Victoria Elizabeth Design (Right)

Lighting is a crucial element to any space, both for function and beauty. Replacing old fixtures is an easy, cost-effective way to update any room. Burnham Design, Victoria Elizabeth Design, Chango & Co., and Clean Design Partners are here to offer you their expertise on lighting design, placement, and selection.

Design: Chango & Co.

1. What is a lighting plan and should homeowners make one? If so, how do you go about creating one?

Yes! A typical lighting plan consists of the lighting fixtures planned for the space,the switches needed, and the locations of everything. When planning a lighting project, it is important to evaluate your needs for the space and take a look at how the current lighting setup is working. We would also suggest considering dimmer switches for all fixtures to allow for the control of intensity and brightness of each light source. -Clean Design Partners

2. Where do you begin when planning lighting for a room?

We begin by taking into account the existing fixtures. Is the ceiling filled with recessed lighting and the walls with sconces, or are there no existing light sources in the space? Then we decide what kind of lighting we'd like to have-overhead; wall sconces, art lighting, table lamps, etc. Finally, we add or subtract as necessary to create the right look. -Burnham Design

First, I look at the dimensions of the space and figure out the appropriate height and width for a fixture. How high are the ceilings? Is there a large piece of furniture like a dining table? Secondly, I consider the finish. Do the accent chairs have a polished nickel nail heads? Are there other metal elements in the room to consider? Lastly, I think about the number of fixtures the space needs. -Victoria Elizabeth Design

When thinking about lighting, it is important to layer; use ambient, accent, and task lighting to create a balanced and visually comfortable space. You also want to keep in mind how the room will be used and then plan accordingly. If you are the type to curl up in a chair to read, you may want a floor lamp or table lamp nearby for task lighting. If you have art that you wish to display, you may want picture lights to illuminate these works. It is also important to keep the aesthetic design of the space in mind when planning for lighting. Recessed lights may give you the desired amount of light, but a center hanging pendant or chandelier is a great way to bring in some personality. -Clean Design Partners

3. What is the difference between accent lighting and ambient lighting?

Accent lighting is bright, direct light that serves a purpose; highlighting a painting or sculpture, or adding a "wash" to a focal wall. Ambient lighting is moodier and softer and provides general light for the functions of the room. -Burnham Design

4. Any tips for choosing the best task lighting for a kitchen? 

Design: Victoria Elizabeth (Left), Chango & Co. (Right)

I always recommend under cabinet lighting and overhead lighting. Recessed under cabinet lights are best for task light while cooking. Overhead lighting is great for the rest of the space as well. Depending on the size and scale of your kitchen, different fixtures will work better than others. For example, a kitchen with a large island would look fantastic with three pendants, where as a smaller kitchen might look good with three recessed lights or one flush mount.
-Victoria Elizabeth Design

Design: Clean Design Partners
http://www.wayfair.com/Shop-The-Look/Designer/Clean-Design-Partners-D6372

5. Track lighting or recessed lighting? Is one better than the other?

Selecting whether to go with track or recessed lighting is typically determined by the structural restraints of the ceiling. Track lighting is a great alternative to recessed lighting if there is no physical room in the ceiling plenum (space above the ceiling where duct work usually runs) for recessed lighting. Style also comes into play. In a very modern space, track lighting may be more desirable as a design feature. However, if you prefer the ambient lighting to fade away and not be a focal point, recessed lighting is the better choice. -Clean Design Partners

6. What is wattage and should homeowners take it into consideration?

Wattage is the power required to operate a light fixture. It is important for homeowners to abide by the restrictions noted on the light fixture not to exceed the wattage amount. We recommend using the highest wattage allowable and using dimmers to control the light flow and intensity. - Clean Design Partners

7. What is the most common lighting question you get from your clients?

Client's often ask me, "How do I know what the right size light is for this space?" My recommendation is to measure the length and width of your room and then add the two dimensions together to give you an approximate measurement in inches of your fixture. For instance, if your room is 20 feet long by 10 feet wide then your ceiling fixture should be about 30 inches wide. Subtract or add 6 inches to this number get an appropriate range of sizes to be considering when searching for lighting.  -Victoria Elizabeth Design

People tend to think that recessed lighting is necessary in all spaces. If I could take out all recessed lights in a home, other than in the kitchen, I would. Using well placed lamps and sconces is more than enough to provide lovely light throughout the day. - Chango & Co .

Design: Chango & Co. (Left). Victoria Elizabeth Design (Right)

8. What's the best kind of lighting to use in a bedroom to create a romantic atmosphere? ​

Layered lighting with dimmers on all fixtures will allow you to create a romantic glow. I like to use an overhead chandelier or pendant, sconce, and additional lighting by the bed. - Clean Design Partners

Table lamps! Lamplight is far more flattering than harsh overhead light. We love a matched pair of vintage lamps beside a bed. - Burnham Design

Design: Clean Design Partners

9. How high do you hang a sconce in a bathroom? Next to a mantel? Next to a bed? In a hallway?

There is no set answer here. The answers depend on the surrounding conditions and what the spaces are used for. Are you putting a TV over the mantle? If so, then odds are you will never want those sconces on. How tall are the users of the bathroom? This will tell you how high you want the sconce hung. Cater to yourself and place lighting where it is most flattering for you. -Chango & Co.

In a bathroom or hallway, our magic number is 66 inches from the floor, maybe 68 inches depending on your space. Next to a bed, it's important to consider the headboard height so that sconces are in the right place. It makes us crazy when contractors place sconces too high and it happens a lot. -Burnham Design

​10. How do I figure out how many recessed lights I need for a given square footage?

To get the square footage of the room multiply the length by the width. For example, if your room is 20 feet long by 10 feet wide, the space is 200 square feet. To determine the wattage for the space, multiply the square footage by 1.5 which gives you 300 watts. So, you'd want 300 watts in the space or six 50 watt fixtures. -Victoria Elizabeth Design

Typically, recessed lights are spaced about 3 feet apart in a kitchen. In a living space, it will depend on how much light is needed. Usually one recessed light in all four corners of the room paired with a hanging center light will be sufficient. You can always add table lamps and sconces for extra ambient light.-Clean Design Partners

Design: Burnham Design

11. How far above a dining room table should I hang a pendant or chandelier?

We generally do about 60" clear to the bottom of the pendant but determine it with the electrician at the time of install. This is something we like to see held up to make our final decision which varies depending on the ceiling height and light type. -Chango & Co.

When hanging a pendant light or chandelier over a dining table, the light fixture should hang so the bottom is approximately 30" to 36" above the table. This assumes a ceiling height of 8 feet. For every foot above this standard ceiling height, subtract 3 inches from the drop. Also consider the length of your table. A longer table will be able to support a higher light fixture and smaller tables look better with lower-hung, more intimate fixtures. -Clean Design Partners

12. How high do you hang a pendant light?

We hang them down to 80" for 8 foot ceilings. As ceiling heights rise, you can afford to hang the fixtures slightly higher. For 9-10 foot ceilings, I like to hang lights about 4-6" higher.-Clean Design Partners

13. Can I hang a chandelier or pendant from a drop ceiling?

​The answer to this is generally yes, but there are a lot of variables here like the chandelier's weight and what the supports are like. All problems have solutions, but this is a good moment to call in an electrician to help assess the situation. -Chango & Co.

14. What's the best kind of lighting to use when you have high ceilings?

It's best to use a combination of recessed lighting (strong lighting) and a chandelier or drop light (conversation-space lighting). In addition, try to go for higher-wattage, brighter lights that will light the space well. -Victoria Elizabeth Design

15. When is it ok to DIY and when should I spend the money on a professional electrician?

I would never suggest tampering with electrical wires yourself! Hire a licensed electrician and you will get quality craftsmanship and years of good experience to help you make difficult lighting decisions.-Clean Design Partners

 If you're familiar with electrical work than its fine to do simple tasks, like swapping out fixtures, on your own. Anytime you are trying to move fixtures, open walls, or add a switch, its best to call a professional.-Burnham Design

Looking for more renovation inspiration? Check out our Designer 411: Bathroom Renovation and Designer 411: Kitchen Renovation.