How to Choose the Right Chandelier

Chandeliers used to only be used in the dinning rooms or foyers of large and elegant homes, deemed exclusively for the rich. Large chandeliers made of cut crystal or glass were a mark of wealth and social status. Since chandeliers are typically large and ornate, they are often the centerpiece for a room.

Now, however, modern designers are using chandeliers of all shapes and sizes for almost any type of home, regardless of size or grandeur. Chandeliers can add a welcoming or artful accent to any room, and have been known to be hung in breakfast nooks, kitchens, bedrooms and living rooms in addition to their formerly popular places.

And chandeliers do not always have to be elegant or sophistocated. In addition to the formal crystal chandelier, you can also find colonial, teacup, revival, stained glass and conteporary chandeliers for your home. Some are large, spanning eight feet or more, while others can be found no larger than two or three feet in diameter.

Since chandeliers can be expensive, no matter their style, it is important to find one that properly accents your home. Top designers advise home owners to purchase a chandelier that complements the time period and architecture of the house rather than the current decorative style. It is not really an option for the average home owner to buy a new chandelier every time their decorative tastes change.

The first thing to consider when purchasing a chandelier is the size of the room in which it will hang. The typical rule of thumb is that the chandelier should be two inches in diameter for every foot that the room is wide. In other words, if your dining room is fifteen feet wide, the chandelier should be approxinately 30 inches in diameter. This can be adjusted for the complexity of the chandelier; an extremely ornate chandelier will appear larger in your room than it actually is.

Next, take into consideration the height and structure of the furniture in the room. If, for example, you have a tall hutch, you cannot hang the chandelier where it will hang just above that piece of furniture because it will give the room a crowded look. Similarly, there must be enough head space so that no one will run into the chandelier when crossing the room.

If the chandelier will hang above a second centerpiece of the room, such as a dining room table, the chandelier should be in sizeable proportion to that centerpiece. A good rule to follow is that the chandelier should be approximately a third of the diameter of your table (or whatever your centerpiece might be).

Next, consider lighting. If your chandelier is meant to be the primary source of light in a room, it should be bright enough to shed sufficient light. At the same time, it should not offset or undermine a second light source. One way to provide flexibility in a room is to install a dimmer switch that allows you to control the amount of light emanated from the chandelier. You can also use corner lamps, floor lamps and table lamps to assist in the lighting of the room.