How to Choose a Light

The most important design decision in any room is the one most people make last.

Lighting is typically the final thing people think about when decorating a room — and the first thing that makes or breaks how it feels. This guide is designed to change that. Whether you're furnishing a new home or upgrading a single room, here's how to think about light the way a designer does.

Step 1: Understand the three layers of light

Every well-lit room uses three distinct types of light, each serving a different purpose:

Ambient light — The general, overall illumination of a room. Usually provided by ceiling fixtures, pendants, or chandeliers. Think of it as the base layer.
Task light — Focused light for specific activities: reading, cooking, working. Provided by desk lamps, floor lamps, and under-cabinet lights.
Accent light — Decorative light that adds depth, warmth, and visual interest. Wall sconces, table lamps, and picture lights fall into this category.

The most common mistake in home lighting is relying on a single overhead light for everything. The result is a flat, institutional feel. Layer all three types and the room comes alive.

Step 2: Choose the right colour temperature

Colour temperature is measured in Kelvin (K) and determines whether your light feels warm or cool:

2200K–2700K — Warm white. The colour of candlelight and incandescent bulbs. Best for bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms where warmth and relaxation are the priority.
3000K–3500K — Soft white. A versatile middle ground. Works well in kitchens, bathrooms, and home offices where you need clarity without harshness.
4000K–5000K — Cool white to daylight. Best for task-heavy environments: studios, workshops, and home offices where focus and accuracy matter.

Our recommendation for most homes: 2700K throughout living and sleeping spaces, 3000K in kitchens and bathrooms.

Step 3: Get the scale right

A fixture that's too small disappears. One that's too large overwhelms. Here are the rules of thumb designers use:

For pendant lights over a dining table:

The diameter of the pendant should be roughly half the width of the table
The bottom of the pendant should hang 28–34 inches above the table surface
For multiple pendants, space them evenly and leave at least 24 inches between each

For chandeliers in a room:

Add the room's length and width in feet — that number in inches is a good starting diameter
In rooms with 8-foot ceilings, the bottom of the chandelier should be at least 7 feet from the floor
Add 3 inches of hanging height for every additional foot of ceiling height

Step 4: Match the fixture to the room's function

Room	Primary need	Recommended fixtures
Living room	Atmosphere + flexibility	Pendant or chandelier + floor lamp + table lamps
Bedroom	Warmth + task reading	Bedside table lamps or wall sconces + soft ceiling fixture
Kitchen	Task + ambiance	Island pendants + ceiling downlights
Dining room	Drama + intimacy	Statement chandelier or pendant, dimmable
Home office	Focus + eye comfort	Adjustable desk lamp + ambient floor lamp
Bathroom	Flattering + functional	Vanity bar at eye level + ceiling fixture

Step 5: Always use a dimmer

If there's one upgrade that transforms a room more than any fixture, it's a dimmer switch. The ability to shift from bright and functional to warm and atmospheric — with a single gesture — is the difference between a room that works and a room that feels right. Most of our fixtures are dimmable; check individual product pages for compatibility.