How big should a pendant be: a sizing guide for every room
Simple rules of thumb for the diameter and hanging height of pendants and chandeliers, with a worked example, a quick reference table and advice for tall rooms and stairwells.
8 articles
Guides
Sizing, planning, buying and avoiding mistakes.
How big should a pendant be, how do you recognise an authentic designer lamp and what belongs in a lighting plan? Practical guides for buying, planning and living with designer light.
Original or replica: how to recognise authentic designer lamps
Markings, materials, weight, finish and safety marks: a calm, practical guide to telling a licensed designer lamp from a copy, and why the difference matters.
Buying vintage lamps: what to check first
Condition, original parts, old wiring, plugs and fragile glass: what to look at before you buy a vintage lamp, and why an electrician should always have the last word.
Lighting a new build or renovation: plan before the walls close
Light is easy to change on paper and hard to change once the plaster is dry. How to draw a lighting plan room by room, from circuits and switches to lamp sockets and outdoor cables.
Working with a lighting designer: when it is worth it
What an independent lighting designer actually does, which projects benefit most, how the work runs from first concept to final focusing, and the questions to ask before you sign.
Choosing light bulbs: shapes, sockets and the right glow
The same designer lamp can look golden and soft or harsh and flat, depending on its bulb. How to read sockets, shape codes, lumens and Kelvin, and match each bulb to its lamp.
Ten common lighting mistakes and how to fix them
One lonely ceiling light, glaring bulbs, a ceiling full of downlights: ten mistakes that make rooms feel flat or harsh, and the simple fixes that turn them into places you want to stay.
Sustainable lighting: durable, repairable and efficient
The greenest lamp is often the one you already own. How to choose lamps that last, keep them working, run them on efficient light and dispose of bulbs and electronics correctly.
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More sections
- IconsThe great designer lamps and the stories behind them.
- DesignersPortraits of the people who shaped light.
- RoomsLighting ideas for every room, from bedroom to garage.
- Outdoor & GardenOutdoor kitchens, gardens, roof terraces and pools at night.
- Lamp TypesCeiling, pendant, floor, wall, in-ground and LED lights.
- Materials & CraftGlass, alabaster, brass, paper, stone and ceramic.
- Light & TechnologyKelvin, CRI, lumens, LED, dimming and smart light.
- Styles & ErasBauhaus, Scandinavian, Italian, Art Deco and more.