Chandeliers come in all sizes and shapes, making it difficult to choose one that will complement your space. The size of your chandelier is a combination of the width and length of your room, ceiling height, and what type of lighting you desire from the fixture.
Generally speaking, chandeliers should be 3 inches tall for every foot of space between the floor and ceiling. However, that’s not always the case. In addition to that, your chandelier should also be sized appropriately for the other fixtures in your room.
If you have a large room, you may want to consider a smaller chandelier. This can help your design look more streamlined, and it will add a visual weight to the piece that can help it hold its own against the other lines in the room.
You may want to keep the height of your chandelier lower than other fixtures in your room if you have high ceilings, or you may desire a higher hanging light for additional ambient light and a more dramatic look. A rule of thumb is to hang your chandelier no lower than 30′′ above the top of your table surface if you have an 8′ ceiling, but this is not a hard and fast rule and depends on how you are planning to use your dining room space and how you wish to decorate it.
How Big Is Too Big?
You can also take the width of your table and subtract 12 inches from it. This gives you the perfect size for a chandelier that will be proportional to the width of your table.
While the length of your table will affect your choices, it is more important to determine what type of fixture you want than to figure out a specific size for the width of your table. If you have a long and narrow table, you may want to consider a chandelier that is more linear in shape, rather than one with lots of curves or detail.
The width of your table should be at least 12′′ less than the chandelier’s width to avoid a bumpy appearance that is unsettling and uncomfortable. It’s also a good idea to choose a fixture that is symmetrical if your table is rectangular, as you will want the two sides to be even and balanced.
Proportion is an essential part of decorating your home, and it can make all the difference in how the room feels. It’s a big reason why you should always consult with an interior designer before making any major changes to your home.
It’s also a good idea to consider the style of your chandelier before choosing the perfect height for it. If you want to achieve a gathered or swag-like appearance for your chandelier, you should cover the hanging wire or chain with a narrow sleeve of fabric that’s three times as wide as the chain or rod.
In most cases, a chandelier should be centered over the living area or over your coffee table, dining room set, or kitchen island in order to create an air of balance and harmony. In stairwells, the placement of the light is more situational and will depend on the amount of furniture in the room.