When it comes to lighting a room, there is no more glamorous statement piece than the chandelier. The ceiling is a blank canvas compared to the furnishings and other grounded pieces that clutter up the floor and walls, so the modern chandelier makes a statement by adding a decorative touch while also filling the space with light. Chandeliers come in all shapes and sizes, and they are designed to be scaled to fit various sized spaces.
While it may seem overwhelming to choose a chandelier for your home, there are some rules of thumb you can follow that will help you select the right size fixture. The first rule to remember is that the overall diameter of the fixture should be no more than one-half to two-thirds the width of your table. This helps to ensure that the fixture illuminates your dining room table without creating too much visual weight above it.
If your chandelier is hanging over a seating area rather than a dining room table, the general guideline is to hang it about 8 feet above the floor (or more for ceilings that are higher than 8 feet). However, the height of the chandelier should not be so high that people can’t see the top of it or bump into it when they walk by. This is a good place to start, but you should always experiment with the height in your space before committing.
The second thing to keep in mind when choosing a chandelier for your home is that the width of the fixture should be about one-half to two-thirds the length of the table. This will help to ensure that the chandelier illuminates your dining room table adequately without becoming too visually heavy above it.
Lastly, you should avoid using a collection of chandeliers, pendants and/or sconces together in the same space. This look is too matchy-matchy and creates a monotonous appearance in the room.
If you are looking to add a little sparkle to your home, don’t hesitate to visit an independent lighting showroom where you can work with a trained design consultant to find the perfect chandelier for your space. A design consultant can also show you how to use different types of fixtures in the same room to achieve a cohesive, polished look.
