Some bulbs are definitely better than others when it comes to creating that warm, inviting atmosphere we all want in our homes.

Understanding LED Lighting Vocabulary

Let’s look at some essential LED terminology that will help you make informed choices.

Lumens: Measuring Brightness

Light bulbs used to be measured in watts and volts, but LED bulbs are measured in lumens and kelvins. Lumens represent brightness – the higher the number, the brighter the bulb.

• Low Brightness: 200-400 lumens (perfect for ambient lighting)
• Medium Brightness: 500-800 lumens (ideal for most living spaces)
• High Brightness: 900-1,500 lumens (best for task lighting)

Those decorative bulbs with exposed filaments typically have very low lumens, which is why they create such a pleasant glow without overwhelming a space.

Kelvin: Measuring Warmth

The Kelvin score rates the warmth of the light. Lower numbers produce warmer light (more yellow/orange), while higher numbers create cooler, bluer light. Kelvin ratings typically range from 2000K to 6000K.

Common packaging terms and their Kelvin equivalents:

• Soft White: Around 2700K-3000K (warmest option, closest to traditional incandescent)
• Warm White: 3000K-3500K (slightly less warm than soft white)
• Bright White: 3500K-4000K (neutral to cool light)
• Daylight: 5000K-6500K (bluest light, similar to office lighting)

The Right Light for Every Room

Every room needs at least three sources of light (not counting natural light from windows). These should include:

1. Ambient Lighting: Usually built-in ceiling fixtures that come with your home
2. Task Lighting: Functional lights for specific activities (reading lamps, pendant lights over kitchen islands)
3. Mood Lighting: Everything else that adds atmosphere – picture lights, sconces, floor lamps, and decorative fixtures not tied to specific functions

Mood lighting is what truly elevates your space to the next level, creating depth and visual interest.

My favorite Bulbs

Here’s a comparison of these bulbs in a lamp so you can see the difference.

The following links will take you to these bulbs online. I do earn a small commission if you purchase through my links at no cost to you.

• 3000 Kelvin 1600 lumen LED bulb
• 43 watt, 565 Lumen GE Halogen bulb
• 2700 kelvin, 800 lumen LED bulb
• Equivalent to 1490, 72 watt halogen (the halogen bulb is not available)
• 5000Kelvin 480 Lumen
• Smart dimmer
• Incandescent bulbs

Enhancing Flexibility with Dimmers

Another way to make your lighting more versatile is by installing dimmers. Many LED bulbs have dimming capabilities that can be controlled either from the fixture itself or from a wall switch. Smart dimmers connected to apps offer even more control.

Dimmers allow you to adjust brightness based on your needs – more light for tasks, less light for entertaining or relaxing. This flexibility means one fixture can serve multiple purposes throughout the day.

Alternatives to LED

While LED technology has improved dramatically, some people still prefer traditional incandescent bulbs. These generate light from heat, making them less energy-efficient but sometimes preferable for those concerned about blue light exposure. Incandescent bulbs are still available, though they’re more expensive to purchase and operate.

Creating Warm LED Lighting on a Budget

Inexpensive mood lighting options can make a significant impact. Retailers like IKEA offer affordable fixtures with built-in dimming capabilities that provide lovely warm accent lighting. These small investments can transform the feel of a room without requiring major renovations.

Final Thoughts

Never underestimate the power of lighting in your home. The right bulbs with appropriate lumens and Kelvin temperatures can create spaces that feel warm, inviting, and comfortable rather than clinical or sterile. By understanding these fundamentals, you can make informed choices that dramatically improve your living environment.

For personalized guidance on lighting or other interior design challenges, consider scheduling a one-on-one design consultation to transform your space with professional expertise.

The post The Designer’s Guide to Warm LED Lighting appeared first on Design Morsels.

If you had the money to invest in your space, one of the most transformative elements would be lighting. Interior designers create entire plans based on lighting alone. I’m going to talk about chandeliers and help you choose the right size for your space.

And this applies even if you’re a renter who thinks you can’t have a chandelier in your apartment because it’s not hardwired. These days, you can find lighting that doesn’t require hardwiring. Many chandeliers and over-table lighting fixtures can be swagged from a plug, giving you more flexibility than ever before.

You can add statement lighting to any room. I’ll guide you through selecting the right size chandelier for various spaces: dining tables, bedrooms, living rooms, foyers, bathrooms, and even offices.

Lighting Basics: Creating the Perfect Mood

Here’s a crucial design principle: every room needs three sources of light—ambient light, task light, and accent lights. If your space lacks these, adding a well-chosen chandelier can help you achieve the perfect lighting balance.

Chandelier Styles for Every Aesthetic

If you’re envisioning only crystal chandeliers, think again. There’s a chandelier to fit every style: rustic, modern, traditional, transitional, and boho. The key is finding the right size for your specific space.

Dining Room Chandelier Sizing Guide

Let’s start with dining rooms, the most common location for chandeliers. Here’s how to determine the right size light fixture for your dining table:

First, look at your table’s length and width. If your dining table is 30 inches wide, subtract 12 inches from that measurement. This means you can choose up to an 18-inch-round fixture, which allows six inches on either side for comfortable movement.

When selecting a chandelier, always lean towards a slightly larger fixture rather than a smaller one if you’re between sizes. The shape of your chandelier should complement your table’s shape. This doesn’t mean a round table requires a round chandelier, but a long rectangular table should not be paired with a small round chandelier.

Height is crucial too. Over a dining table, hang your chandelier 30 to 34 inches above the surface. This creates a more intimate table setting. For longer tables, consider two fixtures instead of one, similar to lighting a kitchen island.

Bedroom Chandelier Placement and Sizing

Moving to bedrooms, chandelier sizing follows a different approach. Add the room’s width and length together—for a 12 by 12 room, that’s 24 inches. Choose a fixture at least 24 inches in diameter. The chandelier’s height depends on your ceiling height, but avoid hanging it below 72 inches.

Ceiling height impacts chandelier placement and size. A good rule of thumb is two to three inches of fixture height for every foot of ceiling height. With a 10-foot ceiling, aim for a chandelier around 20 inches tall. This isn’t an exact science, but it helps ensure proportion.

Living Rooms and Foyers: Chandelier Sizing

The same principles apply to living rooms and foyers: measure the room’s length and width, and use that as your minimum fixture size.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Frequently Asked Questions

Overhead Lighting Challenges

What if you have no overhead lighting? Renters, rejoice! Use a plug-in fixture and swag it above your table. Those small ceiling hooks can be easily covered later. Alternatively, add accent lighting with table lamps, rechargeable fixtures, or wall sconces.

Open Concept Spaces

In an open-concept space, you can absolutely use multiple chandeliers. Consider separate fixtures for dining and living areas, keeping them in the same material family—like matching brass fixtures—but they don’t need to be identical.

To Shade or Not to Shade

Do chandeliers need shades? It’s a matter of personal preference. Many people enjoy shades at dining tables to soften the light, but it’s not a requirement.

Final Thoughts

The great news is that chandeliers now come in every price point, size, and style. If you’re looking to upgrade your lighting, a chandelier might be the perfect solution.

Do you have questions about choosing the right chandelier size for your space? Drop them in the comments!

The post Elevating Your Space with the Right Lighting: A Guide to Chandeliers appeared first on Design Morsels.

The tool that many of us overlook when we’re decorating our rooms is lighting. It’s one of the most important things you can put in your room. In fact, it’s so important that designers do a separate plan when they’re helping clients, called a lighting plan. Here’s an example.

The only thing on this plan is the lights that are going into your room.

Three Types of Lighting For Every Room

That’s because you really need three types of light in every room. And those three types are ambient light, accent light, and task lights. I’m talking about every room, including your bathroom.

You should aim to use all three AND also aim to have at least three lights in every room.

First, I want to explore what the different types of lights are and what they do.

One of the reasons why this gets overlooked is because a lot of the pictures that we see in magazines, the lights are off. There’s natural light that’s enhanced with Photoshop, or there’s artificial light that’s coming into the image that you don’t see.

The lights that are in the room are shut off. But in your real home, the lights add real warmth and character to your space.

Ambient Light

Ambient lights are the lights that come in from overhead, that give you sort of the general light in your room. These include can lights, chandeliers, flush mount lights, “boob” lights, etc.

Task Lighting

Task lights are just like what they sound. They’re, they light up a specific task, chopping, putting on your makeup, reading.

Accent Lights

And accent lights are where the real difference can be made, because these lights add mood to your room.

Lighting Every Room

I’m going to explain how you can use those three types of light in each and every room in your house. Let’s start in the living room. In the living room, most of us have some kind of can light, which almost cannot be avoided.

You can add pendant lighting, and you can add chandeliers, even if you don’t want to hire an electrician. For task lights, you can use lamps to light up chairs or your couch. You can use floor lamps or table lamps.

For task lighting. For accent lighting, you can use fixtures above artwork fixtures above bookshelves. You can use sconces next to a piece of art or next to your fireplace. You can also use floor lights, which you don’t see commonly used, but they do add a lot of interest to a space.

Let’s move on to the bedroom. So in the bedroom you can also have a chandelier or a pendant. You can have sconces next to the bed for your task lights for reading, and the accent lights.

Sconces can be in front of bookshelves, next to artwork. You can have lamps on dressers.

For a dining room, definitely want ambient light over the table. And if you have a chandelier that hangs low enough, it can also be a task light that lights up your food. You also want to use a lot of accent lighting.

You can use sconces next to a buffet, you can use lamps on a buffet, you can even use floor lamps. You can use floor lights. You can light up artwork. You can light up bookshelves.

Let’s talk about bathroom. Everybody has an overhead light pretty much in their bathroom, but you can also add lights next to the mirror.

You can add lights behind the mirror. You can add lights over the mirror.

You’re going to see what a difference this makes if you just add a few of these lights throughout your home. You just want to make sure you have three types of light in every room.

And if you want to get more tricks that designers know that you don’t, check out 4 color secrets to that interior designers use.

The post Lighting – The Tool Interior Designs Master appeared first on Design Morsels.

I started looking for yellow and purple fabrics. The floodgates opened when I discovered how many adorable fabrics there are in these colors. There were so many choices that I had trouble narrowing it down to just a few options for them to decide between. (here are just a few)

The linchpin was the raison-colored chairs. The color is so rich that I used it to help me decide which fabric to use. I loved the second one the most, but the raison chair went best with the last fabric.

The inspirational photos they provided are below.

Four Steps to Decorate Any Room

1. Function, Mood and Style

The first step to decorating any room is to consider the function of the room. It’s a bedroom, so we know sleeping is one function, but what else do you need to do in the room?

These girls like to read so they need a place with light to read and a place to store books. There are also TWO pre-teen girls in here, so storage is a requirement. Consider this when you are choosing everything. Even nightstands can provide storage.

The style Kathryn settled on is Scandinavian and the mood is “bright and cheerful”.

2. Furniture Layout

The beds had to go on the east wall, so that made the arrangement pretty simple. The chairs needed to go by a window, which made the west wall the only choice for that. Here’s the final layout.

If you want a free furniture layout tool, click here.

3. Color Palette

Kathryn has already painted the room a buttercup yellow. The floors are oak wood. Based on the fabrics above, which provided my color inspiration here is our color palette. The floors are part of that palette.

You might be wondering, where do I use the fabric if that’s my inspiration? Re-upholstering furniture is expensive, but it’s affordable to get pillows made and even drapes, if you know the right places. You can also use fabric in a frame as art.

4. Decide What You Need & What to Keep

Almost everyone wants to keep some of what they already have. You want to make sure to use the items you want to keep in your space plan (step 2) and your color palette (step 3).

At this point, it should be crystal clear which pieces you are missing. The fastest way to find these items is to use your style, color and size in your search. This really cuts down the volume of pieces that will work.

For example, if you’re looking for a chair use the search, “Scandinavian 30 inch (or petite) purple chair”. That search is SO specific that you don’t have to sift through millions of chairs.

I’m sharing the lighting plan because I believe that lighting can play such a big roll in the how well-designed any room looks.

Details of the room

I like to use inexpensive furniture in kids’ rooms because as they grow they like to change things. This is especially true with art. The art I recommended is really inexpensive, so it can be easily changed out.

• Spindle natural oak twin beds
• Quince European Linen bedding in cream
• Paper Flowers fabric
• 60″ IKEA malm dresser – I like to use inexpensive furniture in kids rooms because as they grow they like to change things
• Bookcase with drawers beneath
• Scandinavian wood table
• 2 drawer night stand
• Ottowa rug 8×10
• White rattan pendant light
• Naturalist wood ball table lamp
• Swing arm lamps
• Nordic wood track light
• Floating shelf
• Bargain 6 piece art

I use affiliate links so I can afford to keep doing this. Hope it saves you time. See my disclosure policy.

If you liked this post you might be interested in this post about decorating a tween boy’s bedroom.

The post Scandinavian Girls Bedroom appeared first on Design Morsels.

This is the before and after.  

All of the changes were less than $500. I already owned the mirror, but I’ve found some affordable look-alikes.  

What makes it look more French country?  I think it can be done with just three small changes:  the paint color, the mirror and the lighting.  You don’t need to change everything, just a few things CAN make a big difference.  

I started with a mood board to see if my ideas work together.

Blue Paint – I chose Sherwin Williams Inky Blue for the paint.  There is nothing that makes this color exclusively French country, but blue is a very popular color in many French country designs.  

Curved Mirror – I knew that I wanted to include wood in the room and since I didn’t have the budget for a new vanity, I decided to use a mirror.  Vintage mirrors can really give a space a more French vibe.  

If you are looking for similar wall mirrors, you can see a few here.  The style is a Louis XV.  

Ballard Beaudry Mirror, Woodenstuff Crafts Mirror on Etsy, Target mirror

I saved the best for last.  If you haven’t heard me say it before, lighting can really transform any room.  A light fixture is the equivalent of jewelry in interior design.  You might not think bathroom lighting can make a difference, but it does.  

One of the easiest ways to transform your lighting is to add a bathroom vanity light that has curves and a feminine look to it.  I really wanted a French chandelier, but not sure my husband love that.  If I had my own bathroom it would definitely have a chandelier.  

I added a few wall mount sconces with a French flair since I couldn’t get a chandelier.  Here are a few similar sconces with a French design.  You’ll notice all of the similar fixtures have a curved look and the shades are not clear glass shades, they are misk colored glass.  

Etsy brass wall sconce with milk glass.  Kate Spade sconce, Rejuvenation sconce.

The only other things I added were a few shower hooks instead of a towel rack and a washable Oriental rug.

I love it when I can get what feels like a brand new room to me just by tweaking a few things. For me, those things are always lighting, usually a rug and paint.

If you liked this, you might be interested in learning more about washable rugs and the best places to find vintage lighting.

The post A French Country Bathroom, with just lighting and a mirror appeared first on Design Morsels.

This is the perfect way to update a plain lampshade or change the look of your lamp. In addition, if you find a lamp base you like at a thrift store or yard sale but it has an ugly shade or no shade at all, you can make a new lampshade with just a few inexpensive materials. 

You can even make different shades for the changing seasons or for holidays if you like.  I was inspired to make one after watching @chantier.studio (be sure to follow her on Instagram) and her amazing lamp shades.

​Supply List

• Lamp shade kit.  You can find these on Amazon or in most craft stores.  I am covering a drum shade but you can use this technique with any lampshade shape. You can find lamp shade kits to fit just about any shade shape and size.
• Spray adhesive
• Cheetah fabric.  I bought new fabric, but you could certainly use any remnants you have. It doesn’t take a lot of fabric, so get something that you really love. This fabric comes in all kinds of colors, if it’s one you like.
• Scissors

I use affiliate links so I can afford to keep doing this.  Hope it saves you time. See my disclosure policy.

Consider choosing a fabric that will let through enough light, so nothing too dark unless you are going for very moody lighting.

​How to Make a Lamp Shade Cover

If you prefer to watch a video of this, you can see it here.

• Press your material. If your material is directional, has a repeat or a top and bottom, hold the fabric up to make sure that you have the pattern the way you want it. For a cone shaped shade, you might consider clipping the fabric to your shade to make sure you like the way it looks before you trace and cut the fabric,

• Place the lampshade onto the fabric and weigh it down with books or other heavy objects.

• Trace a line around the lampshade with a pencil.  You need to allow enough extra fabric to fold over all the edges of the lampshade so trace about an inch away from the lampshade template all the way around. You can use a ruler if you prefer.

• Cut your material along the traced line and lay the lampshade template on the fabric to make sure it is a good fit.

• Apply a generous amount of spray adhesive to every bit of the wrong side of the fabric.  Shake the adhesive well before applying. You will want to place a towel or something on your work surface to protect it from the adhesive.

• This next step is the most time consuming part.  The adhesive takes 5-10 minutes to dry. This allows you time to maneuver the fabric to be sure you get all the wrinkles smoothed out. Just keep adjusting the fabric as you smooth it over the lampshade.  

• Flip the lampshade over and fold the edges of the fabric around the raw edges on the inside of the shade.

• For the final step I used a box cutter to cut a hole in the fabric so the rings could fit into the groove of the lampshade.  Having an extra pair of hands for this step is helpful as the lampshade has to go around the top and bottom wire rings at the same time.

​

Here is the finished product and I love how it turned out.

If you liked this project, you might like how to make an envelope pillow or how to choose the right bedside lamp.

The post Make a Custom Lamp Shade Cover in Minutes appeared first on Design Morsels.

If you are looking for pottery barn copycat lighting here are some of my favorite finds.

I use affiliate links so I can afford to keep doing this. Hope it saves you time. See my disclosure policy.

The Easton Forged-Iron Series from Pottery Barn is one of my favorites.

• Easton Forged-Iron Floor Lamp from Pottery Barn ($499) has a sleek design that would work great in my living room.   I found this Staffa floor lamp from ELK design that has a similar look for only $253.30.  

• Easton Forged-Iron Tripod Table Lamp from Pottery Barn ($299).   I found this Lauters Table Lamp from IKEA that looks like a Pottery Barn lighting knockoff for $47.99.  

The Reese Lighting series complements any decor.

• Reese metal floor lamp from Pottery Barn ($449).   I found the Simone matte and black floor lamp from the Home Depot. It has the same stylish look for $109.00

• Reese Articulating Task floor lamp from Pottery Barn ($399).  This Aviva black iron contemporary floor lamp from Home Depot is a great way to get a  similar look for just $146.00

• Reese Articulating table task lamp from Pottery Barn ($299).  The Ebern Designs Bawtry table task lamp from Wayfair is perfect for any home office for just $145.oo.

The Marion Series from Pottery Barn has a bit of a bohemian look with a woven shade.

• Marion woven floor lamp from Pottery Barn ($399).   The Joss & Maine 61inch floor lamp is an amazing dupe for $250.00

• Marion woven table lamp from Pottery Barn ($199).   I found this Margie bohemian table lamp from Overstock.  It is a great alternative for just $115.19.

The Miller ceramic table lamp from Pottery Barn has a contemporary yet rustic feel that will complement any decor.

• Miller Ceramic Table Lamp from Pottery Barn ($299.00). The Craftmade Vase Table Lamp from Build with Ferguson is a great dupe for just $78.39

Before you go, if you like this post you probably love a good a lamp bargain you might enjoy how to make a glass lamp. Happy Shopping! 

Related posts:

• Which Light Fixture Goes with My Style
• Shabby Chic Lighting Ideas that Deliver Cottage Style
• Budget friendly chandeliers for every style

The post Pottery Barn Lighting Dupes appeared first on Design Morsels.

Today I will share what I found about the type of fan that works best for each room size.

Let’s talk about all you need to consider when choosing a new ceiling fan.

How Does Ceiling Height Affect The Fan You Choose?

The height of your ceiling will in part determine the type and size of fan you choose. I have very high vaulted ceilings in my main room and my current fan doesn’t really do much. As a general rule, ceiling fans should be installed in the center of the room and should be at a minimum, 7 feet above the floor and 18 inches from the walls.

If you are looking for a fan for a room with low or normal ceiling height, generally 8-10 feet, you will need to use a fan that can be mounted flush to the ceiling. A flush mount fan has a very low profile and is mounted close to the ceiling.

For a room with high or vaulted ceilings, you want a fan with an extension rod, known as a downrod mount, in order to bring the fan 7-8 feet above the floor so you get enough air circulation in the room. If you have living spaces with very high ceilings you can purchase additional pieces to make a longer downrod.

Here’s an example of a flush mount ceiling fan:

Here’s an example of a ceiling fan with a downrod:

Get the Right Size Fan Based On Room Size

Ceiling fans come in a wide variety of styles and sizes. The size of the fan refers to the span of the ceiling fan blades and the right size fan will be determined by the size of the room. You can get by with a smaller fan in small rooms, but a small fan will not produce enough air movement in a larger area. Just to give you some general guidelines based on the square foot of your room:

• A blade span of 29-36 inches is adequate for smaller rooms up to 100 square feet.
• A blade span of 36-50 inches is adequate for rooms up to 400 square feet.
• A blade span of 50-71 inches is adequate for rooms over 400 square feet.

Air Flow – How is it Measured?

The whole point of a ceiling fan is to produce airflow, whether for cooling or heating. Airflow is measured in cubic feet per minute or CFM. The CFM is the amount of air a fan can move around a room when operating at high speed. If you need a fan to help cool your space the higher the CFM the better.

Fans can have a CFM rating anywhere from 2,000 to 10,000. If you are trying to cool a small room a lower CFM may be enough, but if the room is large or has high ceilings you will probably need a higher CFM to get much of a cooling effect.

Another key component of indoor fans is the reversible blades. Most ceiling fans have a summer and winter mode as part of the wall control.

Why reversible blades you ask? Well, we all know that hot air rises. In the winter reversing the direction of the fan blades is a great way to pull the warm air down and circulate it in the room. Conversely, in the summer cool air collects near the floor. Reversing the fan blades can help move the cool air up and into the room.

Most ceiling fans use a DC motor which is much more energy efficient than an AC motor. DC fans also tend to run quieter which is important if the fan is in a bedroom.

Fan Blades – Do they Matter?

• Material: Fan blades can be made from wood, metal, or plastic. Wood blades are rigid and produce minimal noise. Metal fan blades are durable and have little resistance so they produce strong airflow. Plastic blades are lightweight and can be easily molded into a variety of shapes.
• How many blades: Most ceiling fans have 3,4 or 5 blades. You would think that more blades would produce more airflow, but that is not the case. The amount of airflow is determined by the strength of the motor rather than by the number of blades. In reality, more blades will increase the drag on the motor without producing better airflow.
• Blade shape: An oar-shaped blade will move more air than a straight blade

Fan Controls and Accessories

Most ceiling fans come with a remote control that allows you to turn the fan on and off as well as adjust the speed and reverse the direction of the blades. If you are mounting a ceiling fan in a small room with low ceilings you may be able to control the operation with a pull chain instead of a remote.

Many ceiling fans have the option of a lighting package which is handy if your room doesn’t have much natural light or overhead lighting.

Favorite Fans For Every Style

Now for the fun part! There are so many styles of indoor ceiling fans to choose from you can find the perfect ceiling fan for any home decor.

I use affiliate links so I can afford to keep doing this. Hope it saves you time. See my disclosure policy.

• Farmhouse/Rustic. 52-inch, 3-blade ceiling fan with solid wood blades, a light, reversible fan blades, and a remote. Airflow:52″:4995 CFM 60″:6250 CFM

• Modern. 52-inch, 3-blade ceiling fan with a dimmable light, solid wood blades, and a remote. It has reversible blades and 6 speeds. 5250 CFM

• Transitional. 52-inch, 5-blade fan with a light and a remote. 3408 CFM

• Traditional 52-inch, 4-blade fan with a pull chain. 7560 CFM

• Industrial. 56-inch fan with 3 steel blades and 5 speeds. 5972 CFM.

• Boho – 52-inch, 4-blade fan with a light, remote, reversible blades and 3 speeds. 2625 CFM. This one comes in lots of different colors, black, mint and pink,

• Tropical or Coastal. 52-inch fan with 5 reversible blades operated by a pull chain or remote. 1331 CFM

I hope this helps you avoid the mistakes I made when choosing a ceiling fan. Armed with this information you can choose the right ceiling fan for your space.

The post How to Choose the Right Indoor Ceiling Fan: Learn From My Mistakes appeared first on Design Morsels.

If you have a long dining room table, 120 inches or 140 inches, or an extendable table finding one light fixture to hang over the center of the table can be a pricy endeavor, see RH. The standard formulas for chandelier size for larger tables don’t work. They don’t make dining room lights that are that large unless they cost +$3k.

There is another option – hang two fixtures. I had a reader ask about a light for a 120-inch table. She said that she couldn’t get two fixtures because the ceiling was wired for only one fixture. It might sound counterintuitive, but you can actually save money by purchasing two smaller fixtures.

An easy way around this problem is to add an additional lightbox (or two and closing up one). It is a pretty inexpensive project for an electrician. Both lights are installed on the same switch. It’s definitely a lot less expensive than the thousands extra you will pay for the oversized fixtures.

If you think two fixtures can’t have the same dramatic impact as one giant fixture, take a look at these examples.

• The first one is from Pottery Barn. The Franklin Pendants look perfect over this large table if you have a minimalist design style and like modern dining room lighting. Each of these pendant lights is $399, but they look in proportion over this large table.
• This is an example of a long table with two Flora rattan pendants.
• Another example with large rattan pendants from Crate and Barrel.
• This is a more traditional example of an Aerin Jacquline Chandeliers with lots of crystals.

I use affiliate links so I can afford to keep doing this. Hope it saves you time. See my disclosure policy.

When Two Lights Are Better Than One

If you have a large table there are a few reasons to go the two-light route.

1. More Light – Two lights can be placed on either side. This spreads the light out more evenly over the length of the table. Your dinner guests can see what they’re eating better.
2. Less Money – Smaller chandeliers or pendants are less expensive than oversized ones, even after you pay for the electrician.
3. Makes a Statement – Two lights over a dining table are a focal point and a great way to make a dramatic statement. You can make a statement with lights in every style from modern chandeliers to boho, or minimalist. You can opt for a more traditional look with a crystal chandelier or candle chandeliers or have fun with the shape of your fixtures. In addition to the shape of the chandelier, you can use different metal finishes or find fixtures that complement your paint colors or your design style in the rest of your home.

How Big Should A Table Be Before You Use Two Fixtures?

You can use two fixtures even on smaller tables like 60 inches if you use pendants. It’s similar to lighting a kitchen island. If you like the look of two fixtures, you can use two.

How Does Spacing for Two Fixtures Work?

If you are going to hang two fixtures above your table, as a general rule this is how they should be positioned:

1. The first thing to do is measure the dining table. Divide the table in half and hang the first fixture in the middle of the right half, at least one foot to the right of center. Hang the second lighting fixture in the center of the left half, at least one foot away from center.
2. The fixtures should have at least 2 feet between them.
3. The fixtures should be 6 to 12 inches from the end of the table.
4. The bottom of the fixture should be 30-34 inches above the table top.

What If Your One Chandelier Feels Too Small?

Most really large tables come with extension leaves. If you feel you don’t have the correct size chandelier, don’t keep your table set with all the leaves installed in your dining space. Stash the extra leaves out of sight.

If you have all the dining chairs try placing the extra chairs on either side of a window, or your hutch or china cabinet. You can also store the chairs in a spare room.

If neither of these options works for you and you are absolutely convinced that your light is too small, find two fixtures you LOVE. Wait for a sale and call up your electrician and ask them about the cost of adding two light boxes and removing one.

If you have a long dining table with two fixtures, will you send me a photo? I like to be able to share examples with readers.  

The post How to Light a LONG table: Save money by hanging two fixtures appeared first on Design Morsels.

College students WILL be doing late-night studying. A light source that provides good task lighting is a must when there’s no natural light.

I’ll explain the important features to look for in a good desk lamp, as well as where to find an affordable desk lamp for less than $50.

Best Desk Lamp For College

Compact – If you have a teen moving off to college, space is one of the primary concerns. Dorm rooms have limited space and the lamp you choose should be compact.

Charging Capabilities – Many of us have three or more mobile devices that we need to charge daily. It’s handy if the desk lamp also has a built-in USB port, and more than one is even better. And the BEST desk lamps have a wireless charger, which limits all of the cords you need to have on a small work surface.

Directed Light – This is a nice feature if your student is sharing a room. They can turn a light on to work without disturbing a roommate.

Versatile – Since space is a priority I like a desk lamp that can also be used on a bedside table. It can be hard to find space and if you can get two lamps for the price of one, all the better. Look for a desk light that can be easily moved or rotated.

Dimmable LED Bulb – LED light bulbs last longer and they don’t burn as hot. The best lamp will have both qualities and are especially important in a dorm room.

Variable Color Temperature – If all things are equal, warm light is better at preventing eye strain. Many office lamps allow you to adjust the color.

What Type Of Lamp to Avoid

Some “dorm lamps” sound great but when it comes down to it they aren’t worth it.

Clamp Lamp – I have personally used lamps that clamp onto desks or countertops, but they are not the best option. Although they have a space-saving design they never seem to stay where you put them and they can be a real nuisance. This includes lamps that have a chip clip type clip as well as

Expensive Lamps – Dorm rooms are such temporary spaces that it’s not worth spending a lot on a high end desk lamp. My top pick is under $50.

Adjustable Arm Lamps – I’ve owned a few of these and my feeling is that the arm never adjusts well and doesn’t stay put.

Amazon’s Top Pick – There’s an algorithm choosing these. It doesn’t mean they are the best lamps. I like to research the seller to see if they are in the lighting business exclusively, or whether they are just in the business of getting the least expensive knockoffs.

5 Favorite Desk Lamps for College

I focused only on lamps under $50 and that were easy to get. Most of them are from Amazon, but they are sold by companies that work ONLY in lighting. My other go-to source for bargain lighting is Wayfair.

Bar Lights – These are slim and easy to move around.

• LEPRO LED Desk Lamp – This comes in black and white. It doesn’t have wireless charging but it has charging capabilities. It has a modern look and sleek design and it’s a portable lamp. Lepro makes all kinds of LED lighting exclusively. They have an online store that is separate from Amazon.
• BeyondOP LED lamp – This one has wireless charging and the company makes lots of really interesting LED lights with a modern design. This one has touch control for brightness and 5 lighting modes.

Task Lights –

• Brightever Desk Lamp – This lamp looks small, but it has the capability to charge three devices. It has 3 levels of adjustable brightness and the head rotates 360 degrees and it has a nicer look to it (in my opinion than the bars). The company is in the lighting business. It even comes with a bulb, which makes it plug-and-play. It only comes in black.
• Lalisu White Metal Desk Lamp – This lamp comes in black or white and has adjustable brightness levels. Don’t get the lower-priced version, which has no charging capability. Lalisu is another seller that sells lots of lighting.
• Elyona wood desk lamp – This adjustable lamp comes in lots of different colors. I don’t know why but a few colors are $54 and a few colors are $49. This lamp DOES have an adjustable arm, but I think it’s really nice looking and the company makes lots of different lamps. If I was buying based on looks alone, this lamp would be my top choice.

I use affiliate links so I can afford to keep doing this. Hope it saves you time. See my disclosure policy.

The post 5 Best Desk Lamps for College Students All Under $50 appeared first on Design Morsels.