I always say this: updating your light fixtures is one of the best ways to make sure your home makes a positive first impression. Keep in mind, the light fixture must be the right proportion for the room. How does one make sure of that? Well, there are some general rules.

Rule #1: the size of your ceiling fixture should be equal to the sum of the room size.

Say what???

For example, if your dining room is 12 feet by 12 feet, the width/diameter of your fixture should be around 24 inches, to produce a good visual effect.

In a foyer with extra high ceilings, the fixture can be 2-3 inches larger to compensate for the fact that the height will make it look smaller.

Rule #2: With standard 8 or 9-foot ceilings, stick to a flush mounted fixture. If your foyer is 2-storey high, you can definitely go with a hanging chandelier… which brings me to the next topic: how high/low should you hang your light fixtures?

In a foyer, the bottom of your fixture should hang at least 8 feet above the floor or even higher if you have 2-storey ceilings or if there is a large window above the entry door. In the latter case, make sure the chandelier is vertically centered in the window so it can be seen in its entirety from the outside of your home.

In your dining room, the bottom of the chandelier should hang 30-36 inches above your table. You can play within that range, depending on how tall your chandelier is.

Don’t forget to make sure that the style of fixtures you choose remains consistent throughout and matches the overall feel of your home. A crystal chandelier might look out of place in a chalet style home.