The Modern Lighting Guide · Modern Studio
The Modern Lighting Guide: how to choose, size and layer modern lighting.
Everything we know about lighting a modern home in one place: the sizing formulas, the three layers of light, room-by-room guides, and the Hammerton Studio, ET2 and Studio M collections behind them.
Start here
Seven guides, one system.
Each guide covers one decision in depth. Start with the room you’re working on, or read them in order for the whole picture.
The cheat sheet
Every formula on one page.
| Decision | Rule of thumb | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Chandelier diameter, from the room | Room length + width (ft) = diameter (in) | Dining guide |
| Chandelier diameter, from the table | Table width − 12″, at most | Dining guide |
| Height over a table | 30–36″ at 8 ft, +3″ per extra foot | Dining guide |
| Linear length | ≈ ⅔ of the table or island; 6–12″ short of each end | Linear guide |
| Pendant height over an island | 30–36″ above the counter | Kitchen guide |
| Pendant spacing | (Island length − 2 × 12–18″ inset) ÷ (pendants − 1) | Kitchen guide |
| Fixture height | 2.5–3″ per foot of ceiling | Entry guide |
| Walkway & stair clearance | ≥ 7 ft to the floor or tread below | Entry guide |
| Overall height (OAH) | Ceiling − surface − clearance; check the product’s OAH range | Linear guide |
Rules of thumb used across the Modern Lighting Guide. Always confirm with the room, the fixture’s specifications and your installer.
The layers of light
Ambient, task and accent: plan all three.
Ambient light fills the room: chandeliers, flush mounts and recessed lights. It sets the general level and the mood.
Task light is aimed where work happens: pendants over an island, a linear over a desk, vanity lights at the mirror, reading lamps.
Accent light adds depth and draws the eye: wall sconces, picture lights and lit shelves. It keeps a room from looking flat once the overheads are dimmed.
A room that relies on one overhead fixture rarely feels finished. Even a simple plan, such as a dining chandelier on a dimmer plus a pair of wall sconces, makes the room feel considered. Put each layer on its own switch or dimmer so you can set the scene.
Room by room
What to put where.
| Room | Ambient | Task | Accent | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dining room | Chandelier, ring or linear over the table | — | Sconces, picture lights | Ideas · Sizing |
| Kitchen | Recessed or flush mounts | Island pendants or a linear; under-cabinet | Toe-kick or shelf lighting | Island guide |
| Entry & stairs | Chandelier or vertical pendant | — | Sconces along the stair | Entry guide |
| Living room | Chandelier or flush mount | Floor and table lamps | Sconces, picture lights | Arc floor lamps |
| Bedroom | Flush mount or chandelier | Bedside pendants or lamps | Sconces | Flush mounts |
| Bath | Flush mount | Vanity lights or LED mirror | — | ET2 guide |
Light quality
Four specs that matter more than wattage.
Color temperature
Warm white (2700K–3000K) suits living spaces. Most ET2 and Studio M fixtures we carry are 3000K; Hammerton Studio offers 2700K or 3000K on its integrated-LED glass. Some fixtures are “CCT Select,” so you pick at install.
CRI
Color Rendering Index measures how true colors look. Aim for 90+. Hammerton lists 93+ on its glass families; most ET2 and Studio M fixtures list CRI 90.
Dimming
Check every spec sheet. Hammerton lists TRIAC/ELV dimming (some pendants add 0–10V), many Studio M fixtures list 3-in-1 Triac, ELV or 0-10V, and many ET2 models are listed as non-dimmable.
Lumens & OAH
Delivered lumens tell you brightness; overall height (OAH) tells you whether the fixture can hang where you need it. Both are on every product page.
The brands
Three lighting lines, three personalities.
Hammerton Studio
Handcrafted, made-to-order lighting in hand-blown, cast and kiln-fused glass from Salt Lake City. We carry 467 Studio fixtures across more than 40 families. Shop Hammerton Studio · Read the introduction
ET2 Lighting
Contemporary, mostly integrated-LED lighting from City of Industry, California, from sculptural pendants to vanity lights, mirrors and Alumilux outdoor. We carry 851 ET2 fixtures. Shop ET2 · Read the ET2 guide
Studio M Lighting
Our largest lighting line, with 1,219 fixtures: pendants, chandeliers, vanity and outdoor lights, and designer pieces such as Stefanie Hering’s Tropo and Nina Magon’s Contour. Shop Studio M
And more
Cerno, Tom Dixon, Pablo and Humble lights round out our modern lighting collection. See also integrated LED lighting and linear suspension.
Featured fixtures
One favorite from each guide.
Hammerton · linear · 44–75.6″
Mesa Linear Chandelier
From $5,295
Striated Mesa crystal in three lengths, our go-to over long tables and islands.
View details
Hammerton · pendant · 7.8″
Gem Pendant
From $1,095
Faceted handblown crystal, the classic island pendant in rows of three.
View details
ET2 · ring · 33″
Souffle 33" LED Ring Pendant
$898.20
Cast concrete only 3.25″ tall, the answer for 8 ft dining rooms.
View details
Studio M · linear · 66″
Tropo 7-Light LED Pendant
From $13,365
Stefanie Hering’s porcelain linear with a separately switched downlight.
View details
ET2 · vertical · 63″ tall
Unity Vertical LED Pendant
$2,086.20
Intersecting stainless steel for a two-story foyer, OAH up to 183″.
View details
Hammerton · two-tier · 49–72″
Parallel Two-Tier Ring Chandelier
From $16,695
Kiln-fused glass panels in two tiers for a great room or grand entry.
View detailsFrom the maker
Aalto blown glass, from Hammerton.
Aalto Blown Glass Collection, from Hammerton Lighting’s official YouTube channel.
Hammerton’s Aalto glass draws on Finnish architect Alvar Aalto; see the Aalto Mandrel Chandelier and all Aalto.
Lighting guide questions
Frequently asked
How do I choose the right size light fixture?
For a chandelier, add the room’s length and width in feet and use that as the diameter in inches, then check it against the table (no wider than the table width minus 12 inches). For a linear, use about two-thirds of the table or island length.
What are the three layers of lighting?
Ambient (general light from chandeliers, flush mounts and recessed lights), task (focused light such as island pendants and vanity lights) and accent (sconces and picture lights that add depth). Good rooms use all three.
How high should a light hang over a table or island?
30 to 36 inches from the surface to the bottom of the fixture with an 8-foot ceiling, adding about 3 inches for each extra foot of ceiling.
What color temperature should I choose?
Warm white, 2700K to 3000K, for most living spaces, with a CRI of 90 or higher. 3000K is a good default for kitchens.
Are LED fixtures dimmable?
Some are and some are not. Check the dimming line on each product page: Hammerton lists TRIAC/ELV on its glass families, many Studio M fixtures list 3-in-1 dimming, and many ET2 models are listed as non-dimmable.
Can I see these fixtures in person?
Yes. Visit our Laguna Beach showroom with your measurements and photos, and we will help you choose and size the fixture.
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