- Lantern Lighting Ideas and Tips
If a typical chandelier or pendant light doesn't suit your latest lighting project, consider shifting your focus to lanterns as timeless centerpiece fixtures, with historical roots reimagined for modern settings. Before the advent of electric lights, when torches and candlelight were the standards of illumination, lanterns were used to enclose flames, making the lights safer and more portable. Modern lantern designs still reference the shape, style, and function of old-fashioned candle lanterns, with frames surrounding the fixture. However, without the need to guard against wind or other hazardous conditions that could flicker a flame, some design details can be altered, adding creativity to traditional shapes and materials, making this type of fixture suitable for any contemporary home aesthetic.
- Lanterns versus Pendant Lights and Chandeliers
To differentiate between pendants and lanterns, consider the primary function of the light. Pendants typically have a single bulb with light directed downwards. They are most commonly used for task lighting and have a sleek, streamlined silhouette.
In contrast, lanterns usually feature a cluster of bulbs to illuminate a broad area. While both fixtures might have a frame around the light, lanterns are fully enclosed, whereas pendants have an open bottom that helps guide the light.
Sometimes, fixtures may blur the lines between these two designs—an example being a trendy fixture that includes a single bulb surrounded by an oversized globe frame. In such cases, the directionality of the light can help best determine where the fixture falls on the pendant/lantern spectrum. Lanterns are best suited for ambient lighting to illuminate an entire space, while pendants are ideal for targeted task lighting.
- Lanterns versus Chandeliers
The designs of chandeliers and lanterns can significantly overlap. Both are multi-light fixtures and can be used most effectively for ambient lighting. Generally, chandeliers tend to be larger, with lights located at the ends of multiple arms. Chandeliers are also less likely to have a completely enclosed frame like lanterns. Because lanterns are more compact than chandeliers, they make a great alternative if you desire the central ornamentation of a chandelier but lack the space for a larger fixture.
- Deciding Where to Place Lantern Fixtures
Entryway Lanterns: While hanging lights can be used in most rooms of your home, they are particularly well-suited for placement in entryways or foyers. Entryways require a lot of ambient lighting to maintain safety and functionality of the walkways, and the bulb configuration in entryway lantern fixtures is ideal for casting this type of light. These lantern fixtures are also stylish statement makers, adding a touch of wow factor right at the front door, setting the tone for the rest of your home.
To choose the right size lantern for your foyer, you can follow the same rules used for determining the size of chandeliers and pendants. First, measure the room's length and width, and add these two numbers together. The result is the diameter or width of the appropriate hanging fixture in inches. (For example, a 12 foot x 12 foot room would need a light fixture that is 24 inches wide.) Typically, one entryway lantern is sufficient, but if you have a large foyer or choose a smaller fixture, multiple lights can create a unique aesthetic. Your lantern should hang in the center of the room, with the bottom of the fixture about seven feet off the ground. If you have high ceilings, you can hang the lantern higher, but it should never hang less than seven feet from the floor as it could pose a safety hazard. If you have a two-story foyer, hanging the bottom of the foyer lantern at the second-floor level provides the best visual impact.
Hallway Lantern Lighting: Indoor hallways without much natural light can be challenging, and lighting this space is often overlooked. Ceiling lights and wall sconces are typical fixtures for this room, but hanging lanterns here present a creative and stylish option. Depending on the size of the hallway, one fixture may be sufficient, or you might consider hanging multiple lanterns at various points along the corridor. If you adhere to the aforementioned size rules, you are sure to create a look you can be proud of.
After determining the best lantern size, you should also consider the wattage and lighting provided by the selected fixture. The exact formula for determining how much light a room needs can be complex, involving many different factors. A simplified formula for calculating the recommended wattage for any given room is to multiply the room's length by its width, then multiply the answer by 1.5. The number you get is the total wattage needed for your fixture. For example, a room that is 12 feet long and 10 feet wide would need a fixture that provides 180 watts ((12x10)x1.5=180). However, this formula assumes the use of incandescent bulbs. With the latest innovations in LED technology, you can find low-wattage LED bulbs that allow you to customize the appearance of your space. LED bulbs offer incandescent equivalence at lower wattages, so if you find the lighting from the above formula too bright or too dim for the room, replacing with LED bulbs allows you to adjust the fixture’s lighting output according to your preferences. The recommended color temperature for hallway and foyer ambient lighting is 2700-3000K, often called “soft white” or “warm white,” and installing the fixture on a dimmer switch can further personalize your look.
Dining Room and Kitchen Lantern Lighting: Kitchens and dining rooms are classic spaces to showcase stylish chandeliers. If you wish to incorporate the lantern look in these rooms, many of the suggestions and style tips that apply to hanging pendants and branched chandeliers are also relevant for lanterns. The primary difference between kitchen lantern lighting or dining room lanterns and other chandeliers designed for the space lies in the type of lighting each fixture can provide. Pendants bring focused task lighting—so, if you want to hang a lantern over a kitchen island or sink instead of a typical pendant, make sure to choose a lantern that directs light downwards onto the workspace. Some fixtures offer both ambient and task lighting combined, but if you opt for a lantern best suited for ambient lighting, you might find your area difficult to work in.
Living Room Lanterns: Living room lanterns add a touch of class and elegance to living rooms that require a chic focal point but may be overwhelmed by traditional chandeliers. As lanterns enclose the light within a frame, they can appear more contained and streamlined than bulky chandeliers, while still creating a refined aesthetic. The lanterns chosen for this room should typically meet your living room’s ambient lighting needs. Using the aforementioned formula can help determine the size and height of the fixture, ensuring the light does not obstruct your view of the TV or any key architectural features. Installing the lantern on a dimmer will ensure you can keep the living room comfortable and practical, regardless of mood.
When selecting lighting for the living room, it's important to remember that ambient lighting alone is not sufficient to meet all the room's needs effectively. Don’t forget about layered lighting. Mantelpieces and wall art are great spots for targeting smaller accent lights. A floor lamp with a reading light will make your favorite chair even more inviting. Table lamps bring an additional layer of ambient lighting that can be easily switched on and off as needed. Your lantern should work in concert with all these layers of lighting for an optimal experience.
Bedroom Hanging Lanterns: When considering hanging lights, the bedroom is another often overlooked space, yet installing a lantern (or a chandelier or pendant) in the bedroom is an eye-catching option that offers a lot of customization. Like in the living room, bedroom lanterns should be paired with other layers of lighting, such as wall sconces, table lamps, and floor lamps, to create a truly well-lit space.
When hanging a lantern in the bedroom, you should opt for two main positions. The most common is to place the lantern at the center of the room, or alternatively, hanging it over the bed. If you opt for a centrally placed lantern in the room, you can refer to all the above tips for the best size and positioning. If you choose to hang the lantern over the bed, consider using a fixture that is proportionate to your bed rather than the room itself. For king or queen beds, the fixture should not exceed 36 inches in width. Smaller beds are best complemented by a lantern about 24 inches wide. Always ensure your lantern does not pose a safety hazard—it should be at least seven feet from the floor, but if this position risks interference while getting in and out of bed, hang it higher.
Outdoor Hanging Lanterns and Wall Sconces: Since lantern designs were originally intended to protect flames from the elements, lantern-style fixtures hold a disproportionately large share in outdoor lighting! These lights are closer to traditional lantern designs than some modern indoor versions, although there are many hanging outdoor lanterns, outdoor wall sconces are more common. Wall sconces are perfect for stylishly framing doorways and enhancing your home’s curb appeal, but they are also crucial for safety reasons. Adding outdoor lights to your home is a valuable safety measure in addition to the obvious function of illuminating your home's entrance at night.
To ensure they are safe for outdoor use, both wall sconces and outdoor hanging lanterns use glass to protect the light source from the elements. Lights that are not fully enclosed may be best suited for indoor use or covered areas that will not come into contact with rain or snow. If the area is subject to harsh weather, look for lanterns with a wet-rated label, or for those that are damp-rated if the area is covered and less likely to be directly exposed to severe weather. Shades of Light offers a variety of outdoor lanterns suitable for this task, including a range of exclusive fixtures handcrafted by our local artisans in Richmond, Virginia. These lights are designed with a style, shape, and materials that include this type of fixture's historical aesthetic but are reimagined for modern settings.
