Chandeliers have always been one of the best ways to add the wow factor to any room. They are the jewels that light up your décor. Never before has the home owner been offered such a wide array of choices in chandelier lighting styles, shapes and sizes. With such a lot of choices to be made, we have put together a basic guide to help you with some of the questions relevant to choosing the ideal chandelier for your décor.
What is my ideal chandelier?
Aside from style, the three main factors to selecting a chandelier are: style, size/scale and direction of light output (widely diffused or directed like a spot light).
-The first consideration in choosing a chandelier is deciding on the style. (contemporary, modern, glamour or classic; crystal chandeliers or no crystals; finishes and materials can include gold and silver metal finishes, stainless steel, chrome, brass…)
-The second consideration is the appropriate width and depth of the chandelier.
-The third consideration is the lighting requirements for the room including lighting direction and intensity.
If your chandelier is too large or too small for the room, it can result in a disproportioned look in your space. In a room with an 8” ceiling, a chandelier 36” deep will hang too low in the same way that a room with 12” ceilings a chandelier of 36” in most instances will hang to high.
Determining the diameter:
One small trick used by many designers is to addition the length plus the width of the room in feet, the resulting number is roughly the desired diameter in inches. So a room that is 12” by 16” will require a chandelier around 28” wide.
Make sure the light coming from the chandelier does not disturb one’s vision, either when one is sitting or standing. If the light is too strong coming from the chandelier, you should consider putting a dimmer on the switch above all when the light source is not diffused by some type of shade.
Contemporary, Modern, Classic or Transitional?
Modern and contemporary chandeliers tend to use more stainless steel, chrome and nickel finishes. They also use acrylic and glass to give a sense of lightness or architectural simplicity. Traditional chandeliers and classic chandeliers focus more on brass finishes and often incorporate the use of crystals. One must not forget that the style of the chandelier should coordinate with the style of all the other elements in the room.
Choosing a dining room chandelier.
The size of a chandelier is determined by its diameter and height. The width of a dining room chandelier should be between half and 75% of the tables width. It should hang around 30 inches from the top of the table, measured from the lowest point of the chandelier.
Try our Chandelier Size Guide to configure your ideal chandelier size based on the size of your dining table and the height of the ceiling. There are options for both square and round tables to size a dining room chandelier.
Other sources of light.
While chandeliers are often the most spectacular source of lighting in a room, they should not be expected to furnish all of the lighting in that room. In a dining room one needs to consider buffet lamps and, or sconces as well as the reflected light that will come from a mirror placed above the dining room credenza. Several sources of lighting add an incomparable richness to the design of a room and should be used to accent the richness of the décor, such as accessories and works of art.
If the chandelier is a focal point in your room’s décor, don’t forget that a well matched mirror will double your effect.
Remember Chandeliers are not just for the dining room. They are also commonly found in foyers, formal entrance ways, kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, and even bathrooms or powder rooms.
If you would like more information and some professional guidance in making your decision, you can schedule a free appointment with one of our design consultants and lighting experts.
Contact us at (514) 748-9500