Kitchens definitely need a combination of lighting for general illumination and task lighting. Your kitchen may require recessed lighting, plus a gorgeous chandelier in the center of the room. You may have additional lighting underneath your cabinets to illuminate your countertops when you’re cooking. You also want your sink and stove areas illuminated as well. A trio of pendants (or chandeliers) works great over an island or peninsula.  You might have another chandelier over your table. And some people even incorporate small table lamps into their kitchen for mood and decoration.

Bathrooms also require many layers of light – overhead, above the vanity, in the bath and shower area and in the water closet. In a powder room, you may be able to use just a single fixture in the center of the room or mounted above the mirror. But in a master bathroom and other bathrooms where people will be dressing and getting ready for their day, you’ll need more lighting. In a master suite, you may have a combination of recessed lighting, chandeliers, ceiling-mount fixtures, sconces and wall-mount bathroom lights. Here’s a good rule of thumb when lighting a vanity area. Aim to fully surround the face with flattering light by installing a fixture that is at least 24 inches wide above the vanity mirror (for a single vanity). Combine that with a pair of sconces mounted on either side of the mirror, at least 28 inches apart and 5 feet above the floor. If you have a double vanity, opt for a bathroom light fixture that is almost as wide as the mirror or vanity. It should be centered above the mirror, about 6 ½ feet from the floor. For safety, when installing lighting in bathing areas, make sure that someone standing in the tub or shower cannot reach it.

Bedrooms are great places to let your lighting personality shine. Ceiling mount and semi-flush mount fixtures are the typical choices for bedrooms, but we really love the look of a chandelier above a bed. Chandeliers in children’s rooms can make your daughter feel like a princess. (Just be sure to mount those hanging fixtures in kid’s room high enough so they don’t bump their heads when they jump on the bed. Because kids will jump on the bed, even if their parents tell them not to do so.) The bedroom is another space where layers of light are important. In addition to overhead lighting, you’ll probably want to add in lamps in seating areas. Most people have lamps beside their bed for nighttime reading, but we also love to see small chandeliers hung over nightstands. It’s such a glamorous look, and it’s functional too because it frees up table space – more rooms for books and decorating! When hanging chandeliers over nightstands, a good rule of thumb is to make sure they’re no larger than half the width of the table. Sconces are another great choice in a bedroom, especially when used to highlight artwork, mirrors or architectural features. If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace in your bedroom, consider flanking it with a pair of sconces.

Dining rooms and chandeliers go hand in hand. Chandeliers add drama, ambience, and set the stage for elegance throughout the entire home. In most spaces, you’ll want to use the dimensions of the room to determine what size chandelier you need. You can use that same formula in the dining room, too, but if you already have a table, we recommend you choose your chandelier size based on the size of your table. The diameter should be about half the width of your table. While a central chandelier is the common choice for a dining room, we also love the look of hanging several chandeliers or pendants over a long table, just as you might light an island or peninsula in a kitchen. When hanging lights above your dining table, keep in mind that the bottom of the chandelier should be no lower than 30 inches above the tabletop. Sconces are another great choice for the dining room to highlight artwork or mirrors or flanking fireplaces or windows. And don’t forget about lamps. A great pair of buffet lamps on a server provides both beauty and function. Many people use their dining rooms for more than just dining. They can double as home offices, craft rooms and homework stations, so bring in task lighting as appropriate. Because dining rooms are multi-functional spaces that are used day and night, you may want to consider installing a dimmer. Today, dining rooms are used for so much more than dining. It’s nice to be able to turn the lights up when working on a project at the dining room table. For a dinner party, light some candles and turn down the lights to create an intimate feel.

Living spaces, like living rooms, dens, playrooms, momcaves, mancaves, basements, home offices, and home theater rooms can be the busiest rooms in the house. When it comes to lighting, pretty much anything goes and works in these spaces. Here, you really need to evaluate how a room will be used and choose the lighting accordingly. Then, spend some time thinking about how the space is used by the different members of  your family. Employ layers of light, including chandeliers and hanging fixtures, lamps, recessed lighting and sconces, for general and task illumination.