Hey friends!
Ah, light fixtures. They can make or break a room’s ambiance. But did you know that the height at which you hang them is just as important as the fixtures themselves? That’s right, y’all! In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the various heights you should consider for your bathroom sconces, dining room chandeliers, kitchen pendants, and even the all-important relationship between your bathroom mirror and vanity size. So, grab a measuring tape, it’s time to get to it!
Bathroom Fixtures
First up, let’s talk about bathroom sconces. When it comes to these little gems, you want to hang them at a height that’s both functional and stylish. A good rule of thumb is to hang them between 60 and 70 inches off the ground, which is roughly at eye-level. This will provide plenty of light while still being aesthetically pleasing. But make sure you keep in mind where the bulb is located on the sconce. For instance, if you are using a wallchiere style sconce with a longer bottom portion. It may make more sense to mount this type of fixture a little lower than a sconce that has more going on on the top of the fixture.
And don’t forget to measure the distance between the sconces, too! You want to make sure they’re not too far apart, or too close together. A good rule of thumb is to space them about 4 – 6 inches from your mirror.
Dining & Kitchen Fixtures
Next, let’s move on to the dining room. A chandelier is going to be the focal point of your dining table and hanging it at the right height is key. The general rule is to hang it about 30 to 34 inches above the table. But if your ceiling is higher, you may need to adjust the height accordingly. Just make sure the bottom of the fixture doesn’t hang lower than 5 feet from the floor, or it may obstruct the view of diners seated at the table. And while we’re talking about dining room lighting, let’s not forget about pendants! These little beauties can add just the right amount of drama to your kitchen & dining space. Just like with sconces, aim for a height of 60 to 70 inches off the ground, or 32 – 36 inches from the countertop/table.
Mirrors & Vanities
Finally, let’s talk about the all-important relationship between bathroom mirrors and vanity sizes. When it comes to mirrors, size does matter! However, depending on the type of lighting you plan to use, mirror size needed can vary. If you are using a bar vanity light, a general rule of thumb is to choose a mirror that’s the same width or just a few inches smaller than your vanity. If you have a 36-inch vanity, aim for a mirror that’s 24 to 36 inches wide. For a 60-inch vanity, aim for a mirror that’s at least 48 inches wide, or 2 mirrors of 24 inches in width. And when it comes to height, hang your mirror so the bottom is about 6 to 8 inches above the vanity top. This will provide the best overall look. Also, remember you want to center those mirrors over your sink. Sometimes double vanities will give you some weird spacing with sink placements. However, don’t let the love of a certain mirror make you second guess centering it over the sink. ALWAYS CENTER IT.
Mirror Sizing
For mirror height, I generally like to stick with a height of 36-42 inches. However, there are some instances where less is needed. For example, if you are using a wall mounted faucet, the height from your countertop to the bottom of the mirror will increase. So, a mirror of only 24” in height would likely work just fine.
Also, this is design we’re talking about! There are a million different options and personal style will always come into play. So, choosing what you like best is always going to be the best option!
So, there you have it, friends! The perfect heights for hanging your light fixtures. Whether you’re lighting up your bathroom, dining room, or any other space in your home, these tips will help you get it just right. And who knows? You may even find that a well-placed fixture can be the missing piece to the puzzle that brings your room to life. Happy lighting everyone!
To see more bathroom vanity inspo, check out this blog post.
