A ceiling light that is too small looks lost; one that is too large overwhelms the room. The good news is that finding the right size takes one simple calculation.
The simple sizing formula
Add the length and width of your room in metres, then multiply by 8.3. The result is a good diameter for your light, in centimetres.
Example: a living room of 5 m × 4 m gives 5 + 4 = 9, and 9 × 8.3 ≈ 75 cm. A light of around 70–80 cm will feel perfectly in proportion.
| Room size | Suggested diameter |
|---|---|
| 3 × 3 m (small bedroom, study) | around 50 cm |
| 4 × 3.5 m (bedroom, dining room) | around 60–65 cm |
| 5 × 4 m (living room) | around 75 cm |
| 6 × 5 m (large living or open-plan) | 90 cm or more |
Above a dining table
Here, the table matters more than the room. Choose a light roughly half to two-thirds the width of the table, so it frames the table without reaching over the chairs.
Flush, semi-flush or hanging?
- Ceilings under 2.4 m: choose a flush or semi-flush light that sits close to the ceiling.
- Ceilings of 2.4–2.7 m: most pendants and compact chandeliers work well, keeping 210 cm of clearance where people walk.
- Ceilings above 2.7 m: this is where statement chandeliers shine. Allow roughly 7–8 cm of drop for every 30 cm of ceiling height above 2.4 m.
Brightness for the main light
A main ceiling light should light the whole room, so look at the lumens or the lighting coverage listed on the product page. For mood, combine it with wall lights or lamps rather than relying on one source.
Sloped ceilings
For loft rooms and sloped ceilings, look for designs marked compatible with sloped ceilings, or those supplied with a sloped-ceiling adapter.
The essentials
Length + width in metres × 8.3 = the ideal diameter in centimetres. Over a table, aim for half to two-thirds of its width, and match the style of fitting to your ceiling height.
