21 November 2023

How do you choose the right lighting fixture for a space

Part I - Kitchen and dining area

You’ve made your lighting plan, and now you have to choose the right lighting fixtures

Designer lighting has the power to transform a space. To infuse that extra touch, resulting in a truly breath-taking outcome. However, it’s crucial that the fixture and the space complement each other, to maximize its impact.

Selecting the appropriate fixture for a space can be quite a task, considering the various options like chandeliers, pendant lamps, wall sconces and table lamps. How do you know what suits a space best? And how does this design process work?

It is evident that a space with high ceilings and abundant natural light, like a living room, requires a different type of fixture than one with lower ceilings, smaller windows, and perhaps a dining table. Something like a dining room or kitchen.

3 key considerations to ensure you choose the right lighting fixture

To ensure that a fixture complements a space effectively, here are 3 key considerations to ensure you choose the right fixture for a space:

  1. How is the space shaped and sized?
  2. Does the space receive ample natural lighting, or is it relatively dim?
  3. What is the primary function of the space?

With these considerations in mind, let’s focus on illuminating one of the most used spaces in the house; the kitchen and dining area.

These spaces are more than just a room for cooking and eating; they form the heart of the home, where culinary creations come to life and unforgettable moments are shared.

The foremost rule to both high and low ceilings

The primary consideration when purchasing a dining table pendant lamp is the size of your dining table. By assessing the dimensions of your dining table, you can determine the appropriate maximum size for your pendant lamp. This ensures that the lighting fixture not only fits proportionally but also effectively illuminates the entire dining area.

To prevent a suspended fixture from obstructing your path when sitting down or standing up at a table, it’s advisable to maintain a minimum clearance of at least 30 cm (approximately 12 inches) from the edge of the table. This not only helps to prevent head collisions but also contributes to a visually pleasing arrangement.

Additionally, the scale of the fixture should be considered in relation to the table’s size. A fixture that is too small for a large table can create an imbalance, making the table appear disproportionately large. Conversely, a large fixture over a small table can have the opposite effect, making the table seem even smaller in comparison. Achieving the right balance between fixture size and table dimensions is key to creating an aesthetically pleasing and functional dining area.

For Kitchens with lower ceilings, we have a few pointers to take into consideration.

  • Large pendant lights have the potential to visually draw the ceiling and floor closer together, potentially creating the illusion of a smaller space—a result we aim to prevent.
  • Our objective is to create the perception of a room that is more spacious than its actual size.
  • The ideal height to suspend a luminary when dealing with a lower ceiling, is often about 60 to 80 cm above the dining table. This approach creates a harmonious visual aesthetic, where the fixture excels both in terms of functionality and its overall appearance.
    Another guideline to consider when hanging a fixture above a dining table is to position it at eye level when standing upright. This approach guarantees that the light emitted from the fixture minimally disrupts the room’s ambiance, even when you’re not seated at the table but simply moving around the space.

Pendant lights for low ceilings

By choosing fixtures adorned with intricate glass details, such as our latest Celeste collection or the stunning Ballroom collection, a spacious feeling can be maintained at all times. Our glass pendant lights are known for preserving a sense of space in an area, while providing sufficient lighting. Both collections contain fixtures suitable for mounting close to the ceiling, to maintain the ideal suspension height. For rooms with lower ceilings, we also recommend exploring our other collections like the Stream collection and the Reflexx collection, both of which are exceptionally well-suited to provide elegant and practical lighting solutions when there is limited space available.

The Eye in the Sky collection is also an excellent choice for rooms with lower ceilings, providing the opportunity to illuminate these spaces with exquisite designer luminaries. This collection’s distinctive feature is the captivating interplay of lines, which fosters a dynamic and engaging visual effect. The graceful, rounded lines within these luminaries lend a gentle and inviting ambiance to the room, making it an ideal choice for those seeking both beauty and functionality in their lighting design.

To cultivate a contemporary and minimalistic atmosphere, consider fixtures like the Artys H4 and Artys H5. These models feature sleek and elongated designs that effortlessly harmonize with various spaces, whether it’s a sturdy kitchen island or an extended dining table.
These versatile fixtures not only embody a contemporary and minimalistic aesthetic but also offer an exceptional balance of form and function. Their sleek, elongated designs not only enhance the visual appeal of your space but also provide efficient illumination, creating an ambiance that’s both stylish and practical.

Needless to say, for Kitchens with higher ceiling there are different factors to take into consideration.

  • A room graced with a lofty ceiling offers a perfect canvas for a statement-making fixture that effortlessly captures attention.
  • In addition to a central focal fixture, consider enhancing the room’s illumination with several smaller light sources like sconces and floor lamps.
  • Overloading the space with too many light sources can be overwhelming and detract from the room’s overall atmosphere.

Ceiling lights for low ceilings

For spaces characterized by lower ceilings, such as those housing round dining tables, we’re thrilled to introduce one of our recent designs – the Infinity Orion. Designed with meticulous care, this ceiling lamp has been tailored to illuminate smaller areas in a striking and captivating fashion, enhancing the overall ambiance of, for instance, smaller spaces.

The Infinity Orion has been thoughtfully designed to create an appropriate space between the fixture and the table, considering its ceiling-mounted configuration. To perfect this interior design, we recommend incorporating wall sconces from the Infinity Collection. This thoughtful addition ensures that your space is fully equipped for those occasions when functional illumination is paramount, transcending the need for pure ambient lighting.

Pendant lights for higher ceilings

The pendant lights mentioned earlier, like the versatile Celeste and Ballroom collections, are exceptionally adaptable. While they excel at illuminating rooms with low ceilings, they are equally capable of serving as fixtures for spaces with soaring heights. We proudly offer a stunning range of pendant lights like the stunning Reflexx collection, and the robust Stream collection that are perfectly suited for creating captivating lighting designs in spaces with lofty ceilings.

Chandeliers for higher ceilings

Having ample space provides the perfect canvas for incorporating grand chandeliers. Chandeliers, with their timeless elegance and striking presence, can truly transform a room, elevating its aesthetic appeal and creating a captivating focal point. We can opt for a more modern take on a chandelier, such as the models found within the Tears from Moon collection. When looking for a more classical chandelier, designs like those found in the Embrace collection or our Infinity collection are suitable to amplify a space with sophistication and elegance.

In addition, for elongated tables and spaces that demand a standout focal point, our Embrace Linear luminary is a distinctive model that commands attention. Its robust design not only provides exceptional illumination but also serves as an eye-catching centerpiece, elevating the overall ambiance of the room. The versatile Embrace Linear is also exceptionally well-suited for mounting above kitchen islands, making it an ideal choice to illuminate these culinary hubs with both style and functionality.

What about the colour?

Once we’ve identified the perfect luminaire for a room, a crucial detail to consider is the luminaire’s finish. ILFARI offers extensive customization options, allowing us to precisely match the luminaire’s finish with the room’s aesthetic and style. This step is what ensures that truly unique touch, making each ILFARI luminary a conversation piece.

For rooms featuring cooler colour tones, we recommend exploring finishes such as chrome and white. These colours inherently possess cool undertones, enhancing the room’s cooler ambiance.

In spaces adorned with warm colour palettes, consider finishes like Brass and Bronze. These options harmonize beautifully with warm undertones, making them an ideal choice for such settings.

For a more versatile and neutral approach, you can opt for signature ILFARI finishes in black and white. These finishes seamlessly blend into a wide range of spaces, effortlessly enhancing the room’s natural charm.

Additionally, the choice of finish texture can further refine the luminaire’s impact. Both matte and glossy finishes are available, and each exudes a sense of luxury. A matte colour tends to integrate subtly with the room’s surroundings, while a glossy finish creates a captivating focal point, adding a touch of glamour to the space.

In all cases, don’t overdo it

Incorporating supplementary lighting like wall sconces or floor lamps alongside the main source of light can provide that extra touch of illumination, further enhancing the room’s ambiance. However, a prevalent error when illuminating a spacious room is overloading it with an excess of light sources. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable in rooms with limited access to natural light, where the need for ample artificial lighting becomes increasingly significant. Excessive spotlights on the ceiling, large wall fixtures, an array of floor-standing lamps, along with table lamps and decorative lighting, can overwhelm the space. Rather than creating a welcoming atmosphere, this inundation of light often results in discomfort and a glaring ambiance.

Occasionally, even within a colour scheme, it’s wise to avoid overloading a room with identical colour tones. For instance, if the room is already adorned with numerous bronze-coloured elements, adding another bronze fixture may become overwhelming. In such cases, opting for colours like black or white can be a refreshing departure. Straying from the established palette, while still complementing the room, can introduce a unique and captivating dimension, adding an extra layer of visual interest.

It’s essential to maintain a sense of balance in the space, adhering to the principle that “less is more.” Achieving a harmonious lighting design often involves thoughtful restraint, ensuring that the illumination enhances the atmosphere without overwhelming it.

Elements of love
Airwave
Lazy Sunday

For more advice

Should you have any additional inquiries or require further assistance with choosing the right lighting fixture for your space, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Our team of dedicated professionals is readily available to address all your questions and provide expert guidance in selecting the perfect fixture that complements your interior seamlessly.

Feel free to contact us at info@ilfari.com