How To Select the Correct Size Chandelier

How do I select the correct size chandelier? by Blue Marble Lighting

A chandelier can greatly change the mood of any room. It is for this reason that selecting the correct size chandelier for your room is very important. Although the decision can be based on purely a personal opinion, there are some guidelines to help you along.

One-story living rooms and bedrooms

• Add the room dimensions in feet and refer to them as inches. For example, if the room is 20 by 20 feet, then add those numbers together to get 40. You should select a chandelier with a minimum 40 inch diameter.
• If your ceiling is high then you can add up to six inches or you can go even bigger if the ceiling is very high.
• If your space is narrow, then do not use this formula. Instead, you should consider two or more smaller chandeliers.

Dining Rooms

• For an 8-foot ceiling, install the chandelier 30 inches above the table and about 34 inches for taller ceilings.
• Choose a chandelier that has a diameter one-half the width of the table over which it will hang. For example, if the width of your table is 54?? select a chandelier that has a diameter of 27??
• For a banquet-style table in an elongated or oversized dining room, two or more chandeliers will work better than one. If you select chandeliers that are one-third the width of the table and hang them centered on each end of the table that would be correct.
• The height of a chandelier should be about 3 inches per foot of the room?? height. Therefore, an 8-foot ceiling would have a 24 inch high chandelier.
• Dining Room chandeliers should always have a dimmer switch so you can set the mood or use the room for other activities.
• Keep in mind that the style and heaviness of the light fixture can also affect what size you need to go with. A visually heavy chandelier can go more towards a smaller diameter. A visually light chandelier can be a little wider in diameter.
• The chandelier should provide light for the table, but not be so low as to block anyone?? line of vision when they are sitting at the table.

Foyer or Entry Hall

• The size for an entrance fixture is calculated from the room size of the foyer . It is based off the ceiling size, as in many cases, the foyer is also part of the living room or stairway.
• The chandelier should be at least 7 feet from the floor. If you would like to hang the chandelier high, then line up the bottom tier of candles with the balcony. If you have a tall ceiling you should follow a rule of thumb of at least 7????from the bottom of the light fixture.
• Add the width and the length of the room together in feet and convert that figure to inches to come up with the correct width of the chandelier.
• The height of a fixture should be about 3 inches per foot of the room?? height.
• Personally, I prefer to go a bit larger in a more open area than the above recommended calculations.

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