How high or low should I hang my light?

The height of lighting in a room is ultimately a matter of preference.  However, there are some simple rules you can follow in order to ensure you get the best positioning of your lighting fixture whether it is in the centre of a room, over a dining table or otherwise.

Firstly, for a central light, say in a living room, always keep it at least 7ft above the floor.  You don't want anyone hitting their head off it and you want to get an optimal level of illumination.  In a standard modern property with average height ceilings 7ft should suffice.  If you have particularly high ceilings, for example in a victorian or tenement property then go a bit higher.  There can be a lot of space up there so aim for around 8 ft.  That way you can create a real visual statement without your light getting a bit lost, while maintaining a reasonable spatial balance between the ceiling and the floor.

Above a dining table (as shown), aim for around 2 1/2 ft.  This gives the great focused atmospheric light over your table while still allowing you to see your guests, avoid banging your head and not get blinded by light bulbs in your eyeline!

If you want to hang a light over your bed, the easiest thing to do is kneel on your bed and ensure there is at lest 6 inches clearance between your head (or the head of the tallest occupant!) and the light.  Simple!

If you are hanging a light over your kitchen worktop or island, then go for about 3 ft above the surface.  This gives you a decent level of focused task lighting while keeping it above head height to allow you to work, and out of your direct eyeline.

So, we've talked about minimum heights mostly here, at the same time don't go too high!  If you have a fantastic light fitting you want it to make a statement so unless it's designed to fit flush with the ceiling, don't put it so far out the way that it loses impact!