Whole Home Lighting Plan in Brass
Sources
I get a lot of questions about lighting - what to choose for a specific space, how to coordinate different light fixtures, what finish to choose…you name it! It’s one of those topics that can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re willing to do a little research and understand why something works or doesn’t, you can move forward and make good decisions confidently!
Lighting is like jewelry for your ceilings and walls. It can be subtle or make a statement, and it’s worth spending some time sourcing. Whether you’re updating a home or choosing fixtures for a new build, it’s important to make sure it all coordinates and flows well together.
There are several pieces to the lighting “puzzle” and I’m going to talk through some tips and examples of what to choose and why. There are so many nuances to this and it can vary for your specific space, but my hope is that you can take these general “rules” and options and apply them to your own home!
Bring unity to your lighting by using the same finish throughout
If you’re looking for one simple guideline to make your lighting selections easier, it’s to choose one metal and stick with it in every room. I’m doing that in today’s example by choosing brass, but it could be any finish you like! I will say that I’m also a big fan of mixing metals though, so don’t feel like you need to be limited to one if you want to mix it up. I’m sticking with all brass for simplicity’s sake. 😊
On the topic of metal finish, be sure to look closely at each light fixture’s finish - pay attention to whether it’s brushed/satin or polished, as well as the overall tone. Brass is one metal that can actually vary a ton, unlike chrome, nickel, or black. Depending on the manufacturer, it can have more of a champagne color all the way to a yellower gold. It may not matter that much depending on the space you’re using it in, but if it’s going to be in the sight lines of another fixture, you want to be aware!
Match the scale of your lighting to the size of the room and ceiling height
For general overhead lighting (dining rooms, kitchen pendants, and wall lights kind of have their own rules), you want to make sure the light fixture has good proportions relative to the size of the room. Bigger room = bigger light fixture.
But, here’s the nuance: you also need to pay attention to ceiling height. For example, if your ceilings are a standard 8’ height, your light fixture should be no more than 12” high to allow for 7’ of clearance. That means you’ll probably need to use flush mount or semi-flush fixtures for most spaces.
If your ceiling height is higher than 8’, you’ve got more flexibility, and the higher the ceiling, the larger the fixture should be as well. With so many newer homes having vaulted or two story rooms now, grand light fixtures are often needed so they don’t get lost in those lofty rooms!
Consider function and source accordingly
Light fixtures have a big job to do, don’t they? Not only do you want them to be pretty to look at, you also want to prioritize having the correct amount of light output.
This comes in three forms:
Number of bulbs: Think about how much light you need for a space. Will a single bulb do the trick for a bedroom’s overhead lighting? Do you have a grand foyer that needs significant light output (and therefore, multiple bulbs)?
Max wattage of those bulbs: This is an often overlooked, but incredibly important feature! Every socket will have a maximum wattage level. Make sure the fixture you’re looking at offers enough light for the space.
Direction of the lighting (whether the bulb faces up or down, or even horizontal!): Downlighting offers a more focused light, and depending on the fixture, it can work well to provide ambient lighting for a room or it can act more light a spot light. For example, a downlight fixture with a metal shade isn’t going to cast light very far, but one with a glass bowl or fabric shade can! Uplighting or horizontally facing bulbs often work best for all-around ambient lighting and they’re ideal if that fixture is the only source of overhead light in a room.
Example plan: whole house lighting in brass
I pulled together a bunch of different light fixtures that all work well together to show you an example of a “whole house” plan. I’d say it has a modern coastal feel to it, but it could lean traditional/transitional as well. Now, many of these fixtures could be used in different spaces or for different functions, so there’s some flexibility here! I’m going to do a quick run-through of what I picked out to show you what I mean.
Flush mounts and semi-flush mounts:
First of all, yes, pretty flush mounts do exist! Historically, they’ve been the sad, forgotten light fixture category; that’s no longer the case though and I’m so glad. These are often used throughout homes with 8’ ceilings or lower. They can also be used in foyers that are small or have lower ceilings, in living rooms that just need a simple fixture, or in bedrooms.
I picked out two for this plan since you often need more than one! This flush mount has such pretty lines and some simple, but thoughtful details. This semi-flush is one I have in our guest room in black, and I love it. The scale is really nice for a bedroom or smaller living room.
Chandeliers and pendants:
Sometimes there’s a blurry line between what’s considered a chandelier and what’s considered a pendant, so I’m grouping these together. I included two chandeliers and two pendants here, and they’d likely have different applications in your home.
The six arm round chandelier is a classic dining fixture. It would work nicely over a table that seats around six people I’d say. The other four light globe chandelier could work beautifully over a round dining table, as a foyer pendant (if you have higher ceilings), or even in a bedroom with a vaulted ceiling.
I chose something a little out of the box for island or peninsula lighting - these white dome shade pendants! They come in a few different diameters and what I like about them is the shade height. Since they’re not very tall, they could work well in a variety of ceiling heights.
Finally, a statement pendant. This scalloped shade pendant is just lovely. I can see it over a breakfast table, in a foyer, or a bedroom. It’s eye-catching for sure, and could be that perfect stand-out piece a room needs!
Sconces:
These wall lights come in handy in bathrooms of course, but they’re also great for living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways.
For bathrooms, I included two options: a linear bar-style light that could go either horizontally above a mirror or be turned vertically to flank it on the sides. I also included a simple three-light vanity light for above a mirror. This one comes in single and double light options as well.
Then for other areas of the home, I included a single-light wall sconce that would work in just about any area. I can see these flanking a fireplace, lining a hallway, or used as bedside lighting instead of lamps.
Whew! I know I just threw a lot of information at you, but I hope that it’s helpful in your search for lighting for your own home. There’s definitely a lot to consider!
If you’re struggling with picking out lighting for your home, take a look at my texting service called Design Chat. I can help you pick out the right ones or be a second set of eyes as you search!
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