Sometimes a certain space requires just the right accent. Lighting can provide that extra something. When a space demands a specific size or detail, custom light designing is just the ticket. The Copper Lantern specializes in custom designing all it handcrafted fixtures. The following suggestions are useful tips in creating just the right light.
- When choosing outdoor lanterns: Pick the style and mounting type before the electrician mounts the electrical junction boxes. Mounting a wall lantern too high or too low is defined by the type of mounting plate or mounting bracket you choose, whether the lanterns hangs up or down. For example: Most lanterns would be mounted 62” to 66” to center line of the fixture to grade. Mounting back plates of fixtures can vary from center, so adjust your measurements for that difference. Or to simplify, have the fixture on site prior to wiring. Mount the center line of the fixture at the 62” to 66” preferred height, then mark on your house the center line of the mounting bracket that attaches to your house. This is a full-proof method of hanging your outdoor wall lantern.
- When choosing your kitchen island lighting: Make sure you have the length and width of the island. How many lights you choose to hang over the island will depend on the size of the hanging lights/pendants and the size of the island. For example: If your island is 36”W x 96”L, and you select a 8” – 10” wide hanging lantern, in order to obtain even lighting disbursement you will need to have 3 hanging lanterns installed. The 3 junction boxes would be installed by dividing your 96” length by 4. Install the first box 24” from the end of the length of the island. Each additional box hangs in 24” increments. Height depends on the style of pendant or lantern that is chosen. A standard rule of thumb is to hang the light 32” to 38” from the top of the island to the bottom of the fixture.
- When designing your bathroom lights: There are more design possibilities when choosing sconces that mount on each side of the mirror vs. bath bars that mount over top of the mirror. When we at The Copper Lantern do bathroom lighting design we always use sconces mounted on each side of the mirror coupled with a 4” high hat centered in the ceiling over each sink base. This provides the perfect “no shadowing” light source that is most desirable in the bathroom. Glass and fabric shades will help soften the glare while not drastically cutting down the light output.
- When choosing your dining room chandelier: To choose a proper sized chandelier you must know the size of your dining room table. The width of the table is the most important dimension. The chandeliers width should allow a minimum of 6” in from each side of the table. For example: a 42” standard wide table will permit a maximum wide chandelier of 30”, unless your ceilings are higher than 9 feet. Then you can hang the chandelier higher and go larger to fit the large scale of the room. The mounting height of a chandelier should be on average 32” to 36” from the top of the table to the bottom of the chandelier arm. Again, if the room’s ceiling height is higher than 9 feet you can pull the fixture up higher.
The size and placement of each lighting fixture should perfectly complement your space. If the design you choose does not fit the space it will not look right. We can help you. Most of our custom, handcrafted lights can be tailor-made to your specifications. We will work closely with you to design every facet of your light whether it is an exterior wall lantern, a hanging lantern, a single pendant or row of pendants, or that perfect chandelier!
