Drew Scott, the Property Brothers star and HGTV host, tells homeowners planning a kitchen lighting upgrade to measure first and hang later.
Scale matters more than style
Lighting can determine whether a room feels balanced or awkward. A chandelier that’s too large overwhelms a small dining area, while pendants hung too low force guests to duck. Wall sconces placed at odd heights look like an afterthought.
Scott’s advice focuses on proportion. “There’s nothing worse than a tiny light fixture floating in a massive room—or an oversized one overwhelming a small space,” he said in a recent Instagram post. The solution isn’t just picking the right fixture but installing it at the correct height and spacing.
Most homeowners prioritize style and finish. Without proper scale, even the most expensive lighting can feel out of place. The issue isn’t the fixture itself but the mismatch between the light and the room’s dimensions.
The 30-36-30 rule for pendant lights
Scott’s most specific guideline applies to pendant lights over kitchen islands or dining tables. He calls it the “30-36-30 rule.”
Each pendant should hang 30 to 36 inches above the tabletop or counter. They should also be spaced at least 30 inches apart. The goal is to provide enough light without crowding the space.
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A 60-inch-wide island would need two pendants spaced 30 inches apart. Smaller fixtures would look lost, while larger ones would dominate.
The rule accounts for average ceiling heights and human sightlines. If hung too low, the lights become a visual obstacle. If too high, they lose their purpose.
Many assume bigger is better. Scott’s rule challenges that idea. A well-placed small pendant can feel more intentional than a large one in the wrong position.
Other fixtures need their own rules
Chandeliers require different considerations. Scott recommends at least seven feet of clearance from the floor to the fixture’s lowest point. This keeps the room feeling open and prevents tall guests from ducking.
For fixtures above a table or counter, the diameter should be half to two-thirds the width of the surface. A 48-inch dining table, for example, pairs best with a chandelier between 24 and 32 inches wide.
Wall sconces follow their own logic. They should be installed 60 to 65 inches from the floor and spaced evenly to avoid a cluttered look. The aim is to make them feel like deliberate design choices, not oversized night-lights.
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Scott emphasizes that lighting isn’t just about brightness. It’s about proportion, placement, and purpose. A fixture that works in one room might fail in another.
Poor lighting can also make a kitchen harder to use. A pendant hung too low blocks sightlines, while an oversized chandelier creates glare. The wrong scale disrupts function, not just appearance.
Measure before you buy
Scott’s final tip is straightforward: measure before shopping. Know the room’s dimensions, ceiling height, and furniture size. That single step prevents costly mistakes.
Most homeowners skip this part. They pick a fixture they love, only to realize it’s the wrong size once it arrives. Returns or replacements are often a hassle, especially for custom pieces.
Scott’s advice isn’t new, but it’s frequently overlooked. The result is kitchens with lighting that feels off, even if homeowners can’t explain why. The fix isn’t always buying new fixtures—sometimes, adjusting the height or spacing solves the problem.
For those who’ve already installed lighting, Scott’s rules still apply. If a fixture feels wrong, compare it to his guidelines. The issue might not be the light itself but its placement.
