How to choose the perfect size chandelier for your home?

A chandelier is more than just a utilitarian light fixture. “Chandeliers are the jewelry of a room,” designer Georgia Zikas states.

When selecting a chandelier, finding the right size is important to ensure the perfect fit for your space. Take measurements of the room and consider your furniture to determine the chandelier size that will be most appropriate for the space. Take note of the height of the ceiling, the amount of space between the ceiling and the furniture, and the size of the room.

You should consider a larger chandelier for larger rooms and a smaller version for a smaller room. When placing the chandelier, consider its distance from the walls, ceiling, and furniture. Analyze the chandelier’s proportions – it should be in relation to the size of the space. The chandelier should be in balance with all the other pieces in the room. With this information, you can easily pick out the perfect size chandelier for your home.

Tips for Choosing Chandelier Size in Dining Rooms

The diameter of a dining room chandelier should be about one-half to two-thirds the width of the table over which it will be hanging.

However, most designers are not opposed to bending the rules just a bit. “I don’t have a strict requirement on chandelier sizing,” notes Mary Patton of Mary Patton Design. “In fact, I generally prefer intentionally larger chandeliers.”

Kim Coombs of KBCO Design adds that choosing a chandelier for a given room doesn’t simply come down to measurements. “When selecting chandeliers, I consider other important factors that will enhance the aesthetic of the space,” she notes. “For example, ‘Do I want this fixture to be the focal point of the room?’ and, ‘Will it be the main lighting source, or is it to create a mood in the space?'”

In a dining room with a long, rectangular table, there are a couple of routes one can go, according to Coombs. “A long, expansive chandelier is an option, as are multiple hanging fixtures to elongate the space,” she states. “Using chandeliers or dropped pendants create interest, soft lighting effects, and intimacy, while recessed lighting or ceiling mounts can not give the same effect.”

The dining table you own will influence the fixture design that you wish to purchase. According to designer Shoshanna Shapiro of Hanacorners, if you have a rectangular dining table, you will want to opt for rectangular fixtures, two pendants, or a round chandelier. If you have a round table, a square or round fixture works best, and if you have a square table, you’ll also want to select something round.

Keep height top of mind when installing your chandelier, too, urges Michael Cox, founder at foley & cox. “Make sure the drop from the ceiling allows proper clearance above the table for uninterrupted dinner conversation and never restricts seasonal centerpieces.”

Tips for Foyers and Other Space

Oversized light fixtures are becoming popular all throughout the home, Shapiro comments. But, she notes, you should ensure that your ceiling is at least nine feet when going big. “The higher the ceiling, the bigger the fixture can be,” Shapiro notes. “With high ceilings, you want to use a taller fixture. Scale is everything when it comes to lighting.”

And just as in the dining room, you’ll want to play to the furniture pieces at hand. “The style of your fixture should coordinate with furnishings selected for the space and reflect your personality,” notes Judy Pickett of Design Lines Signature. “When selecting lighting, don’t forget to consider the shapes present in the room … as well as the scale of the room.”

At the same time, some designers prefer going a different route and are looking for the opportunity to juxtapose different design styles within one larger space. “Be bold and unexpected—consider intentional contrast to the rest of the elements of the room,” Cox advises. “A sleek, modern fixture can infuse sexy energy into a traditional room and a vintage fixture adds patina to a minimal, contemporary space.”

In the Bedroom

If you wish to install a chandelier in your bedroom, you’ll also want to pay close attention to ceiling height. And placement is key. “Your fixture in the bedroom should not hang directly over the bed if you can help it but rather centered with the overall room,” Shapiro notes. Of course, in smaller bedrooms, a bed may live directly in the middle of the space regardless.