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 LINDA'S
FEBRUARY TIPS
Anyone considering upgrading or updating their
home’s lighting will appreciate these practical tips
written by Sid Fleishman for Kichler
Lighting.
1) To determine wattage for general illumination:
Multiply a room’s square footage times 1.5.
Example: A room is 12 feet x 16 feet (12
x 16 = 192 square feet). Multiply 192 x 1.5 = 288 watts. That
means an 8-light chandelier using 40-watt bulbs would give
320 watts – even more light than needed.
For specific task lighting in areas which require stronger
light (a kitchen work island or a desk area), multiply the
area’s square footage by 2.5 rather than 1.5 to find
the needed wattage.
2) To find the proper size chandelier for a foyer:
Determine the diameter by adding the length and width dimensions
of the foyer and converting the number of feet to inches.
Example: The area is 12 feet by 16 feet.
Added together, this equals 28 feet, meaning the chandelier’s
diameter should be approximately 28 inches.
Remember the bottom of the chandelier should be at least 7
feet from the floor. That means you may need a flushmount
(mounts directly against the ceiling), a semi-flush (also
known as a close-to-ceiling fixture, which hangs a few inches
below the ceiling), or, if you have a tall ceiling, you may
need a 2-tier or 3-tier chandelier.
If there is a window above the front doors, center the chandelier
so it can be seen from outside. If the foyer is extra large,
you may also want to include wall sconces. Install them against
the wall approximately 60 inches from the floor, 6 –
8 feet apart.
3) To determine the proper size chandelier for a
dining room: Either use the room dimensions, as in
#2, or use the size of your table (the chandelier’s
diameter should be approximately 12" less than width
of table. When in doubt, remember having a chandelier a little
larger than normal is better than too small. If it’s
too bright, you can dim it down with a dimmer. The bottom
of the chandelier should be 30 – 36 inches above the
tabletop.
4) To light a hallway: Place a flushmount
or semi-mount light every 8 – 10 feet. If you have a
long hallway, you may want to install wall sconces for added
light and beauty (using the same rule in the previous paragraph).
5) To properly light a bathroom vanity:
Surround your face with flattering light without shadows by
installing a fixture at least 24 inches wide over the mirror,
plus a wall sconce on each side of the mirror (at least 28
inches apart and 60 inches above the floor. If you have a
double sink vanity, use a light that is almost as wide as
the mirror. The light should be mounted 78 inches from the
floor, centered over the mirror.
6) To choose exterior front entry lights:
Remember the size of the fixtures should relate to the size
of your front entrance. Normal range for lanterns is 1/5 to
1/6 of the entrance height – and they should be placed
approximately 66 inches above the bottom of the door.
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