In a hallway or entryway especially, take extra caution to make sure the chandelier won’t hang so low that it can cause issues with opening doors or furniture, and that there’s enough clearance to comfortably walk underneath.

In a dining room, use the same 30 to 36-inch rule as hanging a pendant over an island, leaving that amount of space between the dining table and the bottom of the chandelier. Keep in mind, though, that lower-hanging lights traditionally indicate a more formal dining room.

Tip: For a more laid-back, conversational feel, you could consider raising the height of the pendant to between 78 and 84 inches from the floor to the bottom of the pendant.

Once you pick out your lighting fixture, we’ve made it easy for you to DIY any hanging project.