Proper Placement Of Interior Light Fixtures: 4 Tips

Finding the perfect lighting for your home may come easily to you, but what about proper placement of these light fixtures. Proper placement such as how high and where in the room your light fixture should be placed is very important, not just for looks, but for safety concerns as well. See below for tips on the proper placement of your lighting in different rooms and areas of your home.

1. Kitchen

• Over The Table. When putting a light fixture over the table, you should measure your table and subtract 12 inches. This will give you the length that your light fixture should be. It shouldn't be any wider than this measurement. This is to prevent your family and guests from bumping their heads on the edge of your light fixture. There should be between 28 and 32 inches of space between the top of your table and the bottom of your light fixture. Again, this is to prevent anyone from bumping their heads and will help give the room plenty of light. You can use a large hanging pendant light, chandelier, or ceiling fan over your kitchen table.
• Kitchen Island Or Breakfast Bar. Lighting in this area needs proper placement, again to prevent anyone from hitting their heads. These lights should be at least 28 and 34 inches above the counter and at least 72 inches off of the floor. You want your lights high enough so that they aren't in your eye-line. Kitchen island/breakfast bar lighting can be anything from one to three pendant lights, to a long pendant chandelier.  

2. Foyer

• The placement of your foyer light depends on the height of your foyer. For single story homes, your light should be between 80 and 84 inches off of the floor. For two story homes, your light should be no lower than your second story floor. For second story homes that have a window, place your light fixture in the center of that window so it can be viewed from outside. Foyer lighting can be hanging pendant lights, chandeliers or flush mount ceiling lights. Use something bold, as this is the first thing you see when you walk in the door. 

3. Bathroom

• You can have multiple lights in your bathroom. A light along with your ventilation fan can be flush mounted and centered in the room or near the shower. You can also have wall sconce lighting or pendant lights. These lights are more for looks, rather than to provide the room with light. They can be placed 60 inches off of the floor and placed 28 inches apart, on either side of your bathroom mirror. You can also use flush mount vanity lighting above your bathroom mirror.

4. Bedroom

• Bedroom lights can be hung either in the center of the room or above your bed. Your light should be at least 7 feet off of the floor. If above the bed, you should have at least six inches of room in between your head and the bottom of the light fixture when kneeling on the bed. Bedroom light fixtures can be anything from a ceiling fan to pendant lighting to a romantic chandelier. 

When shopping for home lighting fixtures, be sure to ask yourself how the room is being used, consider the space you have available, and keep these helpful placement tips in mind.