Architectural Designs

Interior Design : Location of lights?

Hi, I bought a new house and the salesman recommend to align lights (pendant, flush mount...) in the middle of the rooms. I don't know but that rule doesn't seem to fit all the time. Example 1 : The dining room light is set with the middle of the dining room area. The light (and dining room table) will then have an offset of 1 feet with the middle of the kitchen. Example 2 : Same thing with the living room light. There will be an offset of almost 2 feet with the tv, couch and coffee table. Example 3 : Same thing with the master room. The light will be a feet off of the bed. Is that normal of should I ask him to align the lights with the furniture? Thanks

Public Comments

1. In the case of the dining room, the light should definitely be aligned with the center of the table placement. We rarely place ceiling lights in the living room or bedroom anymore, but when the homeowner requires them, I prefer that they are aligned with the furniture arrangement, not the ceiling itself, otherwise it throws off the balance of the room. The reason why lights are centered in these rooms is because of the possible different room arrangements. That's one reason why ceiling lights have become passe & recessed lights have become more popular. I personally do not like any kind of overhead lighting in any room other than the kitchen & dining room. That kind of lighting (with the exception of accent lighting for wall decor) casts too many unflattering shadows. I prefer table lamps & uplighting instead to create a warmer ambiance. So, unless you have vaulted ceilings or like the idea of a chandelier in the bedroom, I would just eliminate the ceiling lights in the bedroom & living room altogether. As you have wisely realized, there's a lot of variables in making lighting decisions.