How to Choose a Chandelier

FT NEWS

Looking for some bright ideas on how to choose a chandelier? Consider these tips for selecting a fixture that suits the proportions of your room and the style of your home.

How to pick the diameter of your chandelier
When choosing a chandelier for most spaces, one general rule of thumb will give you a good guide on choosing a size:

Width of room (in feet) + length of room (in feet) = diameter/width of chandelier (in inches).

So, for example, if your room is 14 feet long by 10 feet wide, a 24-inch diameter chandelier would look proportionate (14 feet + 10 feet = 24 feet, which you convert to inches).

If your light will be centred on a seating area and not the entire room, use the approximate length and width dimensions of that area instead of the entire space. Another way to calculate this is to add the length the light will be from the two closest walls and then double it to get your approximate chandelier diameter in inches.

For example, if the centre of your seating area is 7 feet from one wall and 8 feet from the other, then 7 feet + 8 feet = 15 feet; 15 feet x 2 = 30 feet, which you convert to inches. So a 30-inch-diameter fixture would be a good fit.

How to pick the vertical dimensions of your chandelier
Now that you have the width and diameter of the fixture, you’ll want to choose the vertical dimensions of the fixture (not the height above the ground just yet, but the actual top-to-bottom size of the unit itself).

To choose the vertical dimension of a chandelier, the classic rule is to take the room height (in feet) and multiply it by 2.5 to 3 to get a good range (in inches) for the vertical proportions of the light.

So if your room has an 8-foot ceiling, this would mean your chandelier should be roughly 20 to 24 inches top to bottom. (8 feet x 2.5 = 20 feet; 8 feet x 3 = 24 feet. Convert to inches to get 20 to 24 inches.)

For a 10-foot ceiling, 25 to 30 inches will be a better proportional fit. (10 feet x 2.5 = 25 feet; 10 feet x 3 = 30 feet. Convert to inches to get a range of 25 to 30 inches). And the taller the room, the more you can err on the high side of that formula.

As for the height you hang the chandelier above the floor, you’ll want to go at least 6 feet 6 inches so that nobody is likely to bump their head. A standard of 7 feet above the floor works for most spaces with a ceiling higher than 8 feet.

If you do the math, however, with a standard 8-foot ceiling, you cannot fit a 20- to 24-inch light at this height to follow the previous rule. For this reason, and because so many modern chandeliers do not use the same sorts of shapes as traditional chandeliers, I would say you can safely throw the 2.5- to 3-times height rule out and focus primarily on the width if your situation demands it.

Dining rooms
A chandelier over a dining table has some special considerations. First, it should be low enough to create an intimate atmosphere but still not in anyone’s way. Hanging it with the bottom 30 to 34 inches above the table is a good rule. And make sure it doesn’t extend wider than the table – at least not any portions that are low enough for someone to bump their head.

Lengthwise, a chandelier will ideally be one-half to two-thirds of the length of your table to create a nice balance of proportions.

Dramatic versus demure
Keep in mind when sizing a light that size isn’t the only issue; you should also consider the other decor in the room. For a room with rich wallpaper or other busy patterns, a chandelier with intricate detailing will look appropriate.

In a more subdued space with lots of white walls or neutrals, a simpler, smaller light fixture will be more fitting.

Exaggerated scale
The rules and tips I’ve listed up to this point are great for choosing a fixture that follows classic proportions. However, a recent lighting trend has been to buck these classic proportions and choose oversize fixtures instead to make a calculated statement through the sheer drama of large scale.

Hanging light fixtures make for a natural focal point already, due to their central position in the space and the simple fact that they emit light, so it makes sense to play up their size a bit if you really want them to make people say “wow.”

Airy minimalism
Taking a different approach from overscale lights, another huge trend we’re seeing is airy lighting that may technically be large in diameter but includes a great deal of negative space for a breezy, open vibe.
 

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