York Lighting - Quoizel, HInkley, Murray Feiss, and more!

Hampton Roads' Residential Lighting Experts

If you are thinking about remodeling, or just shopping for a single fixture, chances are you will have some questions about where to begin. Below, find some general guidelines from our consultants, to help you ensure that you're getting the fixture best suited for your space. If you have further questions, feel free to contact us .

"One-tier or two? How much wattage do I need for my size room? What about my cathedral ceilings?" We've heard these questions and many more over the years. For those who have questions similar to these, we've assembled lighting advice on sizing and proportion for your living spaces.

Dining room chandelier
Foyer chandelier
Bath fixtures
Ceiling mounts
Kitchen nook
Kitchen island
Ceiling fans
Outdoor lanterns
Undercabinet lights

*Note: When measuring the height of lighting fixtures, always measure from the highest point to the lowest point, including the finials.

Consultants Corner

A good rule of thumb for lighting requirements is 3 watts per square foot. This amount of light can come from multiple sources, including lamps, to give a layered approach to lighting a room.

HELPFUL TIP:
The more we age, the more light we need. A person 55 years of age needs twice as much light as a 20-year old. This may have an impact when selecting your fixtures.

Dining room chandelier:

SIZING: Add the width and length of your dining room in feet. The chandelier should be approximately the same size in inches. A few inches larger is acceptable.
Example: A 12’ x 14’ room should have a chandelier approximately 26”-28” in diameter.
The chandelier’s width should be no greater than 12” less than the width of your table.
Rooms with an 8’ ceiling would traditionally have a one-tier chandelier, whereas a room with a 9’ ceiling might have two tiers of lights.

PLACEMENT: If you have an 8' ceiling, hang your chandelier so that the bottom of the chandelier is approximately 30” from the top of your table. Add three inches for every foot of ceiling taller.
Example: 10' ceilings should have 36" of space between the bottom of the chandelier and the top of the table.

WATTAGE: Approximately 300 watts total light is appropriate for most dining rooms.

Foyer chandelier:

SIZING: For high ceilings (10’ or greater) the height of the chandelier should be approximately one fifth the height of the ceiling. This would be slightly less for a 9’ ceiling (A ceiling height of 15’ would accommodate a chandelier that is 3’). A 9’ ceiling would have a chandelier approximately 17”-20” in height.

WATTAGE: Approximately 500 watts total light is appropriate for most two-story foyers.

Bath fixtures:

SIZING: A two-bulb, single fixture is appropriate for most single bowl vanities which are less than 36” long. A double bowl vanity with two fixtures, five to six feet in length, would accept two two-bulb fixtures.
A three-light fixture is appropriate for a single bowl vanity 36” to 60” long. A double bowl vanity with two fixtures, greater than six feet , would accept two three-bulb fixtures.

Ceiling mounts:
SIZING: Hallways usually require a fixture 11”-12” in diameter. Use 13”-14” fixtures in bedrooms that are approximately 12’ x 12’ and 15” for larger bedrooms.

Kitchen nook:
	SIZING: Use a chandelier that is approximately 16” - 18” less in diameter than the width of the table.

Kitchen island:
SIZING: For islands 4’ or less in length, use two 7”-9” diameter pendants. Islands greater than 5’ would accommodate three 7” pendants. 7-8’ islands would accommodate four pendants. A single island fixture with two or three globes should be approximately one-half to two-thirds the length of the island.

Ceiling fans:

SIZING: For rooms less than 120sq ft. use a 42” fan. Rooms greater than 120sq ft. should use a 52” fan. Very large rooms can accommodate 56” fans and great rooms with two stories can accommodate fans that are 68” to 72”. Two 52” fans may be suitable for large family rooms 22’ and longer.

TIP: Add down rods for fans when ceiling heights are 10’ and greater.

Ceiling height	10’	11’	12’	13’-14’	15’-16’	17’	>17’
Length of down rod	12"	18"	24"	36"	48"	60"	72"

TIP: Reversing remote controls are always recommended for fans when used in homes with high ceilings, because of the difficulty in reaching the fan during seasonal changes.

Outdoor Lanterns:

SIZING: Lanterns should be approximately one-third the height of the front door. This should be slightly larger for a home with a large two-story front. Place the lantern so that the top is slightly above the top of the door casing. Homes with a large two-story front can have lanterns hang a little higher in relation to the front door.

TIP: Check the mounting of the electrical box. If the mounting is high, in relation to the front door, you may want to consider using a lantern that hangs down. If the mounting is low, a lantern that extends up from the mount is recommended.

Undercabinet Lights:

SIZING: Use the longest possible fixture that a cabinet will accommodate for the maximum amount of light.

TIP: Our undercabinet lights are Xenon for heat reduction and long life, have a hi –low switch, are easy to install, use a heat shield to reduce heat damage to the cabinets and also use a swivel lens for ease of changing the bulb.