Chandeliers – Size Does Matter!

When many of us think of the chandelier, we imagine “The Sound
of Music” or some similar Hollywood picture featuring grand
ballrooms illuminated by some elaborate and massive chandelier.
You know the type-crystal for days and so many bulbs that you
find yourself wondering how much it might cost to power that
monstrosity for a month. But, when you remember the size of the
room these ‘Hollywood’ chandeliers must illuminate, the light
fixture actually seems appropriate. This is precisely as it
should be because the size of a chandelier is relative to the
room in which they are used.
 
Chandeliers are natural focal points of any décor so there is
no need to buy a massive one that requires additional ceiling
supports in order to hang. When you purchase an over-sized
chandelier, the effect may actually cheapen the décor and make
it seem gaudy or contrived. Remember, chandeliers convey a
subtle grace and elegance. This effect is lost when you have a
massive chandelier illuminating a small room. The idea is for
the chandelier to naturally draw attention without becoming
that mole on your aunt’s face that you just can’t seem to stop
staring at.
 
Similarly, you certainly don’t want to buy a tiny chandelier
for a grand dining room. Undersized chandeliers send the
message that you ran a little short on your lighting budget and
will forever look awkward and out-of-place. However, it is quite
common to see tiny chandeliers in homes for the simple reason
that they are some of the most expensive lighting fixtures
available for homeowners to choose. But if you do have your
heart set on a chandelier, how do you choose one that is sized
correctly?
 
Many people choose to mount their chandelier above the dining
room table. The dining room is a more formal area and is
well-suited for chandeliers. The diameter of the chandelier is
based upon the width of the dining room table. This is
calculated by taking subtracting twelve inches from the total
width of the dining room table. The height that the chandelier
should be mounted at for rooms with 9 foot ceilings is roughly
30-33 inches from the top of the dining room table. When the
ceiling is above 9 feet tall, the chandelier should hang 3
inches more (add 3 inches to the 30-33 inches figure for every
foot above 9 feet) above the table for every foot. So, for a
twelve foot ceiling, the chandelier should be 39-42 inches
above the dining room table.
 
When not using the chandelier in the dining room, the size is
determined by the room dimensions. There are two basic ways to
calculate the diameter of a chandelier using room dimensions.
In the first, the diameter is calculated by multiplying 2
inches by the total width of the room in feet. A width of 12
feet would require a chandelier with a diameter of 24 inches.
 
The other method is to add the dimensions of the room and
convert into inches. In other words, a 10′X12′ room would have
a chandelier with a diameter of 22 inches. Some judgment will
be necessary but a good rule of thumb is that it is best to err
on the small side when you have more elaborate and traditional
chandeliers and to go a little large on more modern
chandeliers.

About The Author: Pamela Tice is the owner of numerous lighting
and home decor websites including
http://www.barnesandwagner.com. Her store offers a complete
product line of indoor lighting such as
http://www.barnesandwagner.com/ceiling-fixtures.html and
http://www.barnesandwagner.com/chandeliers.html, as well as
outdoor lighting from the industries leading manufacturers.
Everything to light your home in style.