Often ceiling pendants, chandeliers or wall lights are chosen as the preferred light source but the question we keep getting asked is how high / low should the fitting hang at? What height should our wall light be installed?

Here are a few guidelines as to the appropriate height for these type of fittings.

Chandelier / pendant above a dining room table:

These could hang a bit lower than usual as they are above the table and will not interfere with anyone trying to get past it. You want to install the chandelier at a height that when standing you are still able to talk to someone across the table and the chandelier will be just above eye level.

Our recommendation is that the bottom of the fitting be no lower that 190cm from the floor and depending on your ceiling height that it be no higher than 2.4m from the floor.

Pendants in a living / bedroom:

These fittings should not be in the in the direct line of sight but also not too high that it looks like a ceiling light. A good height to hang these lights is between 220cm and 230cm from floor level. This is just above the height of a standard door frame and more often than not the most appropriate installation height.

Suspended fittings in a hallway or entrance hall:

These lights are generally higher than other areas to give the hallway or entrance hall the appearance of space. While these areas are typically higher than they are wider (and by quite a bit) the often comes to the old saying that “less is more” the typical height for a fitting in this type of are would be at least 230cm from floor level and higher if your have the ceiling height to start.

Wall lights:

There are many different shapes and sizes when it comes to wall lights. This will guide you to what height your chosen fitting should be installed.

First question is what will the wall light be doing ?

If it is an up light type fitting and you want the light reflecting off the ceiling to give a general light to the room then generally the light source is quite strong and it is important to avoid being able to look directly into the lamp. When installing these lights make sure that the actual bulb will be above 190cm from the floor.

If the fitting gives a general light to the room by reflecting through a glass or other type of diffuser then the fitting can be a bit lower and a good height would be around eye level or just above. The appropriate height for this type of wall light would be between 170cm and 200cm from floor level to the centre of the fitting. As ceiling heights also vary from home to home, another way to determine the height for this type of fitting would be 2/3 of the way up the wall to the centre of the light.

For low level wall lights that are used to provide light to stairs or night light effects to hallways the rule of thumb is that it is low enough not to see the bulb but high enough to provide a good spread of light. This is typically between 30cm and 50cm from floor level. This height could change depending on your viewing angles and staircase designs.