LEARNING CENTER

Fixture Size

WHAT SIZE FIXTURE DO I NEED?

We will cover everything you need to know about lighting fixture terminology and sizes along with what will fit best in your space!

Light Fixture Terminology Basics

Knowing some of the basic terminology used in the lighting industry will go along way when trying to determine the correct fixture size for your special space.

CANOPY: Part meets/touches ceiling and hides the wiring and hanging apparatus.

DOWN ROD / CHAIN: Part connects canopy ring to main fixture. Also used to obtain the correct total height of complete fixture.

SHADE HOLDER: Part used to connect/hold the shade or globe securely in place.

SOCKET: Part used to screw in light bulb and provide electricity to bulb.

BULB: Source of light

GLOBE/SHADE: Part used for decorative purposes along with how the light diffused through-out space.

ARM: The main decorative part that connects the Candle to the Body

CANOPY: Part meets/touches ceiling and hides the wiring and hanging apparatus.

CHAIN: Part connects canopy ring to main fixture. Also used to obtain the correct total height of complete fixture.

HANGER LOOPS: Part used to connect/hold the chandelier from canopy to body.

SCROLL: Decorative arms, often in shapes of a "S" or a "C" and smaller than the main arms that hold the candle.

CANDLE BULB: Type of bulb used resemble candle light, base is much smaller than that of a "Medium" based light bulb.

CANDLE TUBE: Decorative tube that surrounds the socket for the bulb.

CANDLE CUP: Decorative cup to resemble the actual drip/wax pan of an actual candle.

BOTTOM BALL/FINIAL: Ornamental bottom piece of the column which is typically either a ball or finial shape.

PENDALOGUE: Ornamental piece that hangs from the Arms and Scrolls.

WIDTH: This measures from the far "Left" of fixture to the far "Right" of fixture.

HEIGHT: This is the measurement of the fixture itself, does not include any of the hanging apparatus.

OVERALL HEIGHT: This measures from the ceiling to the bottom of the fixture

WIDTH: This measures from the far "Left" of fixture to the far "Right" of fixture.

HEIGHT: This is the measurement of the fixture itself, does not include any of the hanging apparatus.

BACK PLATE: Part meets/touches wall and hides the wiring and hanging apparatus.

EXTENTION: This is the measurement from wall to the front of the fixture


Light Fixture Sizing - "The Basics"

There are variables to consider with each space and its intended use, however, we will keep it as basic and simple for you here. There are two main things to consider when choosing the correct lighting fixture for your room or space.


  1. Size of the Fixture

    • Measure size of room in feet (Round Up) - Example: 12 feet x 11.5 feet

    • Convert feet to inches - Example: 12 feet x 12 feet --> 12 inches x 12 inches

    • Add - Example: 12 inches + 12 inches = 24 inches

    • This is your minimum size fixture for the space (24 inches)

    • Maximum is 32 inches - Example: 24 / 3 = 8...add to min. 24 + 8 = 32

  2. How much light is it capable of lighting.

    • Determine square footage - Example: 12ft x 11.5ft. = 138sqft

    • Multiply square feet times 1.5 for minimum wattage capacity for the room. - Example: 138 x 1.5 = 207 Watts (4-60 watt bulbs would do the trick at a minimum) Note: You may want more light depending on the use of the space.

Light Fixture Sizing - "Specific Spaces"

In specific spaces, like your dining room, kitchen island, and bathroom, there are some general guidelines to follow to as it pertains to sizes and placements of the fixture.


Dining Room

There are many variables in choosing the correct size fixture for your dining room with table size and shape being the main one. The height in which your fixture hangs is standard and using your room size as a starting point for the minimum size of your Dining Room fixture is recommended.

  1. How high to hang your fixture.

For an 8 foot ceiling height, the most bottom portion of your fixture should be 30" - 36" above table and increasing 3" per foot.

  • 8 foot Ceiling - 30"-36" above table

  • 9 foot Ceiling - 33"-39" above table

  • 10 foot Ceiling - 36"-42" above table

  • 11 foot Ceiling - 39"-45" above table

  1. Rectangular Table

  • Using a Linear Fixture: The length of your fixture should be 2/3 - 3/4 the length of your table. (EX: 6 ft table [72"] = 48"-54" Size Linear Fixture)

  • Hanging One Chandelier: Max fixture size should not exceed the width of your table minus 12". (EX: Width of table is 4 ft [48"], Maximum Fixture Size = 36")

  • Hanging Two Lights: Fixture size should be 1/3 [+/- 4"] the length of your table. (EX: 6 ft table [72"] = 20"-28" Size Fixture/Pendant)

  1. Round Table

  • Fixture size should be 1/2 - 2/3 the diameter of the table. (EX: 60" diameter table = 30"-40" Size Chandelier)

Kitchen Island

30-36" above island


Starting point on sizing and quantity.

Formula #1: (What size pendant do I need?)

For 2 pendants or less

Pendant Size = Island Width in Inches * .67


For 3 pendants or more

Pendant Size = (Island Length in Inches - 12) / (Number of Pendants x 2)


Formula #2: (How many pendants do I need?)

Number of Pendants = (Island Length in Inches - 12") / Diameter of Fixture / 2

Bathroom

.75 x Vanity Mirror

Sconces arounf 18" tall amd light source at eye level, 4" on either side of mirror



Foyer

Rooms Height

2-3" height per foot

7' off floor min

8-9' off floor for 2 story level with second level

Hallways

Width x 2.5

Spaced 8 - 10 feet apart


Outdoor

Light on each side of door

1/4 - 1/3 of garage door height

Bottom should be 1' from top of door


Over garage, Door width / .5