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
www.barnesandwagner.com. Her store offers a
complete product line of indoor lighting such as
Light Fixtures and
Chandeliers, as well as outdoor lighting from
the industries leading manufacturers. Everything to light your home in style.
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