Light your space, to scale.
Size, hang, and install every Radilum fixture — chandelier, pendant, sconce, or ceiling mount — with the same logic our designers use.
The two-number formula.
Designers don't guess at fixture size. There is one simple rule that solves ninety percent of sizing decisions for chandeliers, pendants, and ceiling fixtures.
= fixture diameter in inches
A 12' × 14' living room calls for a fixture roughly 26". Round up for tall ceilings, down for low ones. The rest of this guide covers the exceptions.
Standard rooms, standard sizes.
Common room dimensions and the fixture diameter most often specified for each.
| Room Type | Typical Size | Ideal Diameter | Hanging Height (8' ceiling) | Best Suited |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powder Room | 5' × 6' | 11" | Flush mount only | Wall sconces, mini pendant |
| Bedroom (small) | 10' × 11' | 21" | 7' from floor | Pendant, semi-flush |
| Bedroom (master) | 14' × 16' | 30" | 7' from floor | Chandelier, pendant cluster |
| Dining Room | 10' × 12' | 22" | 30–34" above table | Pendant, chandelier |
| Dining Room (large) | 12' × 16' | 28" | 30–34" above table | Linear chandelier or 3 pendants |
| Living Room | 14' × 18' | 32" | 7' from floor | Statement chandelier |
| Foyer (1-story) | 6' × 8' | 14" | ≥ 7' from floor | Pendant, mini chandelier |
| Foyer (2-story) | 10' × 12' | 22" | To 2nd-floor window | Cascading or tall chandelier |
| Kitchen Island | 3' × 6' | 2–3 pendants | 30–36" above counter | Multi-pendant cluster |
Chandeliers over open spaces.
Living rooms and master bedrooms — the formula sets the diameter, the ceiling height sets the drop.
A Ceiling height & hanging length
For every additional foot of ceiling height beyond eight feet, add three inches to your fixture's overall hanging length. This keeps the bottom of the fixture at a balanced seven-foot clearance — high enough to walk under, low enough to feel grounded.
Alabaster chandeliers carry visual weight beyond their diameter. Drop one size smaller than the formula suggests, and the room will feel more elegant — not over-lit.
Pendants over kitchen islands.
The most common installation question — and the easiest to get right with three numbers.
A The three island numbers
For islands six to eight feet long, three pendants give the most balanced rhythm. Smaller islands take two; longer islands four. Spacing on centers, not edges, is what makes the line read as deliberate rather than dropped-in.
Modern kitchens suffer from over-lighting. Bring pendants down to human scale to create intimacy and eliminate ceiling "noise."
Pendants over dining tables.
High enough not to block sightlines across the table — low enough to feel intimate.
A Sizing to the table, not the room
For dining rooms, the table — not the room — sets the rule. Choose a fixture between half and two-thirds the table's narrow dimension, leaving six inches of clearance on each side. The fixture should always sit inside the table footprint when viewed from above.
For tables longer than six feet, a single fixture rarely scales — use a linear chandelier or two to three pendants in line.
Sconces & wall lamps.
Sconce centres sit at standing eye level — never higher in a hallway, never lower beside a mirror.
A By room, by height
Centre the sconce at average eye level, sixty to sixty-six inches from the finished floor. For sconces flanking a mirror, raise the centre to between sixty and seventy-two inches, aligned with the mirror's vertical axis.
Modern minimalist linear sconces work especially well in bathrooms — they cast even, anti-glare light that flatters the face during a morning routine.
Foyer chandeliers.
The entryway fixture sets the tone of the home. The height has to be right.
A One-story vs two-story
The bottom of any foyer fixture must clear seven feet — non-negotiable. In two-story foyers, centre the fixture on the second-floor window line; the volume of air around it is the point.
For two-story foyers, choose a cascading or vertical chandelier such as the Odyssey Cluster. They fill the volume gracefully without overwhelming the entry below.
Flush & semi-flush.
For ceilings under eight feet — hallways, closets, laundry rooms — flush mounts are the answer.
A When low ceilings call for low profile
If a hung fixture would dip below seven feet, switch to flush or semi-flush. Hallways need fixtures every eight to ten feet to avoid dark patches between pools of light.
Semi-flush gives the visual presence of a chandelier without sacrificing head clearance — a worthwhile compromise in a hallway or low-ceilinged bedroom.
Pre-installation checklist.
Eight checks before the electrician arrives — each one saves a return or a re-visit.
Installation questions.
Still not sure?
Send us your photo and dimensions. We'll recommend a fixture, render it, and confirm specs — free, within 24 hours.
Speak with our design team.
For sizing, custom orders, trade enquiries, or installation — reach the U.S. team directly.
College Station, TX 77840
8 AM – 10 PM