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Hanging Lanterns Cast Porches in the Right Light
Don't leave guests dangling in the dark. Brighten their outlook with warm, welcoming hanging lanterns for your outdoor room
We are the mother and daughter behind the blog Design Chic (www.mydesignchic.com).
We are the mother and daughter behind the blog Design Chic (www.mydesignchic.com).... More »
In any room, indoors or out, lighting is a subtle but crucial way to set the mood and style. Hanging lanterns are a wonderful choice for outdoor entertaining areas that can feel both classic and contemporary. Just as a chandelier welcomes you to a home, a hanging lantern welcomes you to a porch or an outdoor room, and sets the tone for laid-back festivities.
See if any of these tips for incorporating lanterns will work for your porch.
See if any of these tips for incorporating lanterns will work for your porch.
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| When it comes to outdoor fixtures, the lighter and airier the style is, the larger it tends to look. If you like a more minimalist lantern like this one, know that it will actually appear visually larger than a heavier one. |
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| Just like indoor dining areas, outdoor dining areas can be enhanced by the right light fixtures. Traditionally, chandeliers should hang 30 to 36 inches above the table, which is a good distance for outdoor lanterns as well. |
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by Abbott Moon
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| Hanging lanterns like these are generally not proportioned to allow for only one to make a statement over your dining table. A pair, or even three, creates visual interest and enough light to see your plate. |
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| If you aren't sure what size of lantern is right for your porch, use the same rule of thumb as for picking an indoor chandelier: Add the length and width of the space. The number of feet in the sum is roughly the number of inches your fixture should be. For example, a 12-by-15 porch would hold a 27-inch lantern. |
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| On a porch with a beautiful focal point, like this mantel, the height of the fixtures is extremely important. Fixtures that hang too low can block the view of the porch's most important feature. |
| If you are between two lantern sizes and simply can't make up your mind, we say it's always better to go bigger. Too-small light fixtures are one of the fastest ways to draw negative attention to a space and make it seem ill proportioned. |
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| For larger porches, consider using more than one hanging lantern. In a space where multiple seating areas come together, using a separate lantern for each spot helps to define the groupings while adding warm ambience for nighttime gatherings. |
For a porch with a view, be careful not to impede the sight line by hanging your lanterns too low. In general, make sure you leave at least 7 feet from the porch floor to the bottom of the lantern. That way, even the tallest guests can enjoy the view.
Ideabook published on July 26, 2012.
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