Chandeliers

It’s easier than ever to make a statement in your space by hanging a chandelier. These showstopping light fixtures were once reserved for formal dining rooms and grand entrances, but designers are now using chandeliers in every room — kitchens, bedrooms, even bathrooms! Whether you prefer a timeless crystal chandelier or trendy modern chandeliers are more your style, check out these tips below to help find your new favorite lighting fixture.

What styles do chandeliers come in?

Chandelier lights have come a long way from the traditional styles they once were. While you can still find plenty of traditional versions, if that suits your taste, there are thousands of alternative styles to choose from that will be a perfect fit for your home’s unique feel. Here are a few of the most popular styles available:

• Rustic chandeliers: Looking for something to fit your cabin vibe? A wood chandelier, or even one made from antlers, might be just the thing.


• Modern chandeliers: Try a sleek black chandelier or something simple and rectangular to give your home a futuristic feel.


• Farmhouse chandeliers: Keep the country inspiration alive with a soft candle chandelier or a wrought iron one to bring a little bit of the old farming feel indoors.


• Contemporary chandeliers: Want something a little more trendy? Go bold and fun with a sputnik chandelier or scale it back a little with a round orb style fixture.

What size should my chandelier lighting be?

Determining the size of your new light fixture will depend on several key factors:

Room size: Be sure the overall size of the chandelier is not too big or small for the room it will be installed in. If you’re guessing, it’s best to choose something slightly too big rather than too small — something large will look like a statement, whereas something too small can look dinky and out of place. A general guideline to determine the ideal diameter is to add the width and length of your room together (in feet), then use that measurement in inches as the size of the light fixture. For example, a room that is 12 feet by 14 feet would need a chandelier that’s 26 inches in diameter.

Height: A higher ceiling lends itself better to a larger light fixture, but as a rule of thumb, chandelier light fixtures should hang no more than 7 feet from the floor, regardless of ceiling height. If it’s hung above a surface, like a tabletop, give the surface and chandelier at least 30 to 32 inches of separation.

Placement: Consider where you are planning to place your new chandelier. If it’s going over a piece of furniture, like a dining table or kitchen island, make sure it doesn’t overpower the furniture itself. Look for one that’s approximately three-quarters the width of the object you’re placing it over. If it’s going to be suspended freely in an entryway or living space, you have a little more freedom when it comes to scale — refer to the room size point above.

Brightness: You'll also want to consider the desired brightness you want from your fixture. Smaller ones may put off less light, which may not be a problem for certain spaces. Chandeliers for dining room use don't need to be overly bright, but need to put off enough light to eat by. Multiple light chandeliers are a good way to get plenty of brightness into a space, like a kitchen that needs ample illumination to cook by. Pay attention to whether a fixture can be used with a dimmer; dining room chandeliers specifically would benefit from this feature — romantic dinner, anyone?