The future is looking bright for the classiest of all lighting fixtures: the chandelier.
Whether you’re seeking to light up your foyer, complete the ambiance of your dining room, or add a statement piece to another important gathering room of your home, a chandelier can be a timeless choice to set the mood and feel of the entire space.
Today there are more chandelier style options than ever – from opulent and extravagant to rustic and cozy, making it possible to complement any preference in home décor. Not only can you choose among an array of materials and colors, there are seemingly endless possibilities for the quality of light you wish to achieve for your space, with options in light sources, light output, dimming ranges, and more.
One common concern in choosing a chandelier is determining an appropriate size. Design experts at The Spruce suggest the following guidelines:
A simple way to determine a chandelier size is to add the dimensions of the room together in feet and then convert the answer to inches. The answer in inches should equal the diameter of the fixture. So if your room measures 10' x 14' the diameter of the fixture should be about 24". Here are a few more quick guidelines to help:
- If the room is smaller than 10' x 10' the fixture should be 17" to 20" wide.
- If the room is around 12' x 12' the fixture should be 22" to 27" wide.
- If the room is around 14' x 14' the fixture should be 24" to 32" wide.
Of course, room size is not the only consideration. You’ll also want to factor in the interplay with any large pieces of furniture (for example, if you’re hanging this chandelier over a large dining table). And you’ll also want to make sure there isn’t some bright bulb that will be shining directly in someone’s face. Lighting professionals refer to this as the “direction of light output,” whether the overall lighting effect is ambient, multi-directional, up, down, or both up and down. Choosing a chandelier with a dimmer feature may be one way to make sure you get just the right amount of light you’re looking for in every situation.
While you’re trying out design options, here are some of the latest trends in chandelier styling that may help create the perfect look for your home:
- Contemporary / Classic Warm Metals. Burnished and aged to perfection, vintage-inspired brass finishes add character and depth to sleek, contemporary lines. In the Mason 12 Light Chandelier in Aged Brass from Hudson Valley Lighting, the romance of the American Pioneer spirit finds modern expression with precise geometric patterning.
- Rustic Candle-Style. Evoke the warm coziness of a traditional lodge filled with candlelight. The Holbrook Chandelier in Tuscan Brown by Quoizel Lighting captures the rustic candelabra look with the safety and sophistication of dimmable electrical lighting.
- Epic Grandeur. A commanding focal point for grand, luxurious homes with impeccably classic taste, oversized chandeliers in luxe materials are forever timeless. La Bella Chandelier in Vintage Gold Leaf from Livex Lighting is an empire-style crystal chandelier with hand-painted vintage gold leaf and hand-crafted gold-dusted glass shades that brings breathtaking elegance to immense spaces.
Whatever the size and style of your home, you can find a chandelier that is bound to inspire. And while certain design trends may come and go (then come back again, and again) the beauty of a chandelier fitted to your personal style can be as striking as it is enduring.