How to Size Your Chandelier

The sparkle and dazzle of a well-placed chandelier defines and enhances the mood of any room. A chandelier that is too large can easily overpower a room and its inhabitants; one that is too small becomes insignificant and decreases the perceived value of the entire space. By following a few interior design guidelines for choosing the correct size, you will maximize the impact of the fixture. Room size affects chandelier size, but the type of space also affects the size.

Follow our simple check list for the perfect fit.

• Measure the width and length of the room. Add these two numbers together and consider the resulting figure as inches rather than feet. This is the diameter of the chandelier that will best suit the room. Allow 2 to 3 inches of chandelier length per foot of wall height. For example a dining room with 10-foot ceilings, 16 feet wide and 18 feet long, can accommodate a chandelier 34 inches in diameter and 20 to 30 inches in length. This calculation is particularly well-suited to a chandelier hanging in the center of the room and over the major piece of furniture or focal point, as in a dining room.
• Define the area in a large room of several conversation areas or functions with a table or area rug. Use half the table width as the diameter guideline for the chandelier over a focal point table. Use the length and width of the area rug added together and called inches as the chandelier diameter over a conversation area rug.
• Calculate the diameter of multiple chandeliers over a focal point by dividing the diameter of the table by the number of hanging chandeliers plus 1. For example, a table 54 inches wide would be best partnered with two chandeliers 18 inches in diameter, hung 18 inches apart over the center of the table.
• Choose a rectangular chandelier for a rectangular table that is in keeping with the proportions of the table. For example, for a table that is 54 inches wide and 72 inches long, the diameter should be 27 inches. Subtract 27 inches from the length of the table for the result of a length of 45 inches. The rectangular chandelier best proportioned to this table would be 27 inches wide and 45 inches long.
• Consider that a stairwell has a perceived wall height of two stories and calculate the length of the chandelier accordingly. Two-story entries should be treated similarly.
• Hang the chandelier so the bottom is no less than 30 inches from the table surface in a dining room and no less than 7 feet from the floor in a hallway or stairwell. These guidelines will affect the length of the piece, so adjust accordingly.

Q: How do I determine the right size and placement of a chandelier?

The rules of Chandelier Size and Hanging vary by room and can be difficult to grasp. There are two important measurements to take into consideration when choosing the correct chandelier size: height and diameter.

Use the steps below to take the guesswork out of Chandelier Size and Hanging

Entryway 

Chandelier Size and Hanging Guide

Your entryway is your guest’s first impression of your home, and the right lighting and Chandelier Size & Hanging play a significant role in that impression.

The chandelier selected will need to reflect your home’s design aesthetic. It must be the right size for the space; too small and it will look dwarfed, while a too-big chandelier can overpower a room.

Height:

• Higher ceilings require a taller
• The rule of thumb is to accommodate 2.5-3 inches of chandelier height for each foot of ceiling height.
• A standard 8-foot ceiling requires a chandelier that is 20-24 inches in height.
• If your ceilings are taller than that, add 2 inches for every foot over 8 feet to that number

Diameter:

• To figure out the diameter, add the height and the width of the room together.
• Treat that sum as inches, and you have the suggested diameter of the chandelier for that space.
• For example, if the room is 20 by 18 feet, the sum is 38 feet. The approximate diameter of a chandelier that would work well in that area is 38 inches.

 

Dining Room and Kitchen Table Chandelier Size and Hanging Guide

In a dining room, it is key to measure accurately to ensure perfect placement of the right-size light.

Size (Height and Diameter)

• Measure the length and width of your dining room in feet, add those two numbers together and use that sum in inches.
• For example, if a dining room measures 10′ x 14′, it would be 10 + 14 = 24. You’ll want to look for a 24-inch diameter chandelier.
• If the room needs a big statement add 6 or 8 additional inches
• A chandelier hung above a table should have a diameter of 1-foot narrower than the table’s width.

 Determine the placement over a table

• Chandeliers should be centered over the dining table. (If you are placing two smaller chandeliers, center the two of them).
• If your ceilings are higher than 8 feet, add about three inches to the hanging height per foot.
• For example, if your ceiling is 10 feet tall, your lighting fixture should be hung 36-40 inches over the table.

Determine the placement within the room

• Measure the height of your dining room.
• For a ceiling that’s 8 feet high, the bottom of the fixture should be 60 inches from the floor. If the piece is extremely detailed you might want to move it up to 65 inches from the floor.
• For ceilings taller than 8 feet, add 2 inches for every foot over.

Living Room 

Chandelier Size and Hanging Guide

For the best lighting, you will want to place the chandelier in the center of the living space, usually over the coffee table

• Hang the chandelier at least 7 feet from the floor to avoid people bumping into it. 

Bathroom 

Chandelier Size & Hanging Guide

Adding a chandelier to your bathroom adds a touch of glamour and sets the tone for a relaxing bath.

• When hanging the chandelier over the tub, allow for 8 feet of clearance above the highest edge of the tub. (You will be climbing in and out of the tub, so you want to give yourself extra room.)
• If there is not enough clearance above your tub, or you prefer a different location, hang the chandelier at least 3 feet from the tub,  at a height suited to your space (see below photo).

 Over Islands 

Chandelier Size and Hanging Guide

Hang the light fixture(s) 30-34 inches above the island

A few more sites to help you with…..

Chandelier Size and Hanging

http://www.wayfair.com/ideas-and-advice/chandelier-size-and-placement-guide-S4912.html

Source http://www.housebeautiful.com/home-remodeling/interior-designers/q-and-a/a1941/how-to-hang-a-chandelier/

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Hanging Photos: The How To’s