Before You Buy

At Ease Before You Buy

Plan your lighting with confidence.

A room-by-room guide to choosing the right fixture, size, placement and installation details for a considered home.

Browse the guide →
01

Start with the purpose

Choose a lighting type

Start by deciding what the light needs to do in the room. Decorative lighting can create a focal point, provide useful task light, or add a softer layer alongside the main light source.

Pendant lights

Best above dining tables, kitchen islands and other surfaces where a focused pool of light is useful.

Chandeliers

A statement choice for rooms with enough ceiling height and a table or seating area that benefits from a central focal point.

Wall lights

Useful beside mirrors, beds and hallways, or anywhere a layered glow is preferred over a single overhead source.

Ceiling lights

A practical choice for general illumination, particularly where a pendant drop or wall fitting would not suit the room.

Bathroom vanity lights

Designed around mirror and vanity areas, with product rating and installation position needing careful checking.

Table and floor lamps

Flexible layers for reading, bedside lighting and ambient illumination without changing the fixed wiring.

02

Start with the space

What to measure

Before choosing a light, measure the space around it rather than looking at the fitting in isolation. Note the available width, depth and height, then compare those measurements with the full product dimensions shown on this page.

  • Measure the width of the wall, mirror, table or kitchen island.
  • Check the fitting depth so doors, cupboards and walkways remain clear.
  • For pendant lights, measure the ceiling height and the available drop.
  • Allow space around the fitting so it feels balanced rather than crowded.
Measure width, depth and height width depth height
Measure the available width, depth and height around the fitting.
03

Find the right proportion

Choose the right size

The right size depends on the furniture and architecture around the light. A fitting should feel intentional in the room, with enough presence to be noticed without overwhelming the space.

Dining tables

As a starting point, choose a pendant or chandelier around half to two-thirds of the table width. Wider tables may suit a larger fitting or a multi-light arrangement.

Kitchen islands

Compare the combined width of the lights with the island, then leave breathing room at both ends. Multiple pendants should be spaced evenly across the working surface.

Mirrors and wall lights

Compare the overall fitting width with the mirror or wall area. A wider version can create a more balanced look above a larger mirror, while a compact version suits narrower spaces.

Compare the light with the furniture below dining tablekitchen islandmirror / wall about 1/2-2/3 table width leave breathing room at both ends
Use the furniture or mirror below as the reference point for proportion.
04

Think about everyday use

Plan placement and clearance

Good placement balances visual impact with comfortable clearance. Consider how people move through the room, where the light will be viewed from, and whether nearby furniture or doors could interfere.

  • Over a dining table, keep the fitting high enough to preserve conversation and sightlines.
  • Above a kitchen island, check clearance for cooking, cleaning and everyday movement.
  • Beside a mirror or bed, consider eye level, reach and the fitting depth.
  • For several lights, plan equal spacing and align them with the furniture below.
Dining table Centre the fitting with the table and keep the drop comfortable for sightlines.
Kitchen island Distribute several pendants evenly and leave visual breathing room at both ends.
Mirror or bedside Check eye level, reach and depth so the fitting works comfortably every day.
Plan comfortable clearance comfortable dropeven spacing check sightlines, walkways and doors
Plan the drop and spacing around how people move through the room.

These are planning starting points, not fixed installation dimensions. Always check the product dimensions and your room conditions before fitting.

05

Plan around the room

Plan by room

The best fitting depends on how a room is used and what already sits beneath it. Use the guide below as a planning starting point, then compare the selected product's dimensions with your own space.

Dining room

Centre the fitting over the table and keep its scale in proportion with the tabletop. Leave comfortable sightlines for conversation.

Kitchen island

Use one larger fitting or an evenly spaced group. Check the total arrangement against the island length and leave room at both ends.

Living room

Consider the viewing angle, ceiling height and nearby seating. A statement fitting should have enough breathing room around it.

Bedroom

Use wall or bedside lighting to create a softer layer. Check the fitting depth and make sure switches and walkways remain practical.

Hallway and staircase

Prioritise head clearance, door openings and movement through the space. Repeated fittings should follow a consistent visual rhythm.

Bathroom and vanity

Plan around the mirror and basin, then confirm the product's IP rating, zone suitability and wiring requirements before ordering.

Lighting planning by room diningkitchenliving roombedroom
Match the fitting to the room's function, furniture and available clearance.
06

Prepare before ordering

Check before installation

Check the technical details before ordering so the fitting works with your existing electrical arrangement and intended room.

  • Confirm the light source, bulb base, maximum wattage and whether bulbs are included.
  • Check whether the fitting is dimmable and whether your bulbs and dimmer are compatible.
  • Confirm the voltage, power source and whether the fitting requires hardwired installation.
  • For bathroom use, confirm the product IP rating and suitable bathroom zone with a qualified electrician.
  • Check the product dimensions, fixing position and ceiling or wall support before installation.
Installation note

Mains-powered lighting should be installed by a qualified electrician. Do not rely on a room label alone when checking bathroom suitability; the product rating and installation position must both be confirmed.