Lighting Buying Guide

Lighting GUIDE

Lights are more than just sources of illumination; they echo your style, enhance atmosphere, add visual warmth, and welcoming comfort. At Ethan Allen, we have numerous lighting options in an array of materials, sizes, and styles. For tips on choosing, hanging, plus other inspiration—read on and be enlightened!

CHANDELIERS & PENDANTS

hanging bedside

Choosing a pendant over a traditional table lamp can free up bedside table space, and change the entire look of your bedroom. To do so, hang your pendant leaving at least 12' between the bottom of the pendant and the top of the table.

OVER AN ISLAND

For the best visual aesthetic, place fixtures at least 30' apart from one another. Leave about 30' to 36' between the island top and the bottom of the fixture.

linear lighting

A linear fixture should be no more than two-thirds of the length of a table or island it hangs over. If a space is extremely long, you may want to use two fixtures. ‌

over a dining table

Your fixture should not be wider than the table and should always be about 5' to 6' narrower than the table. Always leave about 30' to 35' between the bottom of the fixture and the tabletop.

over a round dining table

Always leave about 30' to 36' between the bottom of the fixture and the tabletop. The fixture should be half to three-quarters of the diameter of the table; never wider.

in an entryway

Always leave about 4' between the widest part of the fixture and surrounding doorways and walls. The minimum space between the bottom of the fixture and the floor should be 7'.

high ceilings

For ceilings 10' or higher, use a fixture of grand scale. Most of our fixtures come with 6' of chain and 13' of wire.

hanging multiple pendants

When hanging in clusters, odd numbers are best. To add visual interest, stagger each height at a minimum 2' difference.

Floor Lamps

Mastering task lighting

When you need all of your workspace for your work, a floor lamp with an adjustable arm, like our Jesse Task Floor Lamp, can take the place of a desktop version.

Maxing your minimal space

No room for a full-sized end table? No worries! Just slide a slim floor lamp, like our Denten Floor Lamp, next to a small accent table and—voila—you’ve got light and a space to place your drink.

Table Lamps

Following the footprints

With everyone home and more of their things to go around, your side tables have most likely become the new household catchalls. Searching for a table lamp based on its footprint will help you find the size that works harder to free up your space.

Circle gets the square

The shape of your table lamp also plays a role in how much space it takes. Round-based lamps need a little more space and are great for freestanding end tables, while Rectangular- and square-based lamps are perfect for corners, consoles—basically anywhere a wall is nearby.

ENJOY SPARKLING DESIGN SERVICE

Our knowledgeable Ethan Allen designers can help you find the lighting solutions that best fit your needs and your space, including positioning, placement, and component selection: shades, harps, and even bulbs.

let your style shine through

Ceramics from Europe, fine metals from India, stone and fabrics from around Southeast Asia—at Ethan Allen, we craft our vast array of lighting from a wide variety of materials. No matter your preference, we have a lamp, chandelier or pendant that will tell your style story brilliantly. Below are some of our favorites, but you’ll find many, many more in our lighting section.

PRIDE & QUALITY

Our artisans utilize skills passed down through generations and specialized materials unique to their regions. From solid brass sockets, to handmade shades, every piece is a marriage of form and function.

Lighting

Guide

Lighting GUIDE