Sizing Your Chandelier

When it comes to determining what chandelier to purchase, one of the major factors is size. A perfect chandelier will provide functional lighting and look great. Part of getting a chandelier to look “just right” hanging in a particular room, is to pick the correct size. Despite the huge and varied selection of chandeliers available to consumers, both in stores and online, there are a set of relatively simple guidelines widely use to guide you in correctly sizing a chandelier to a space.

For rooms 10’ by 10’ or smaller, a chandelier between 17” and 20” in diameter will look the best.

If the intended room is more like 12’ by 12’, then choosing a 26” or 27” chandelier would be more appropriate.

A 14’ by 14’ room, or similar, can accommodate a wide range of chandeliers. Choosing any type of chandelier from 24” to 36” will make the room very visually pleasing.

Another technique for calculating the suitable size of a chandelier, taking the length and width measurements and adding them together can produce a sum that indicates a good chandelier size. For example, if the room is 14’ by 18’, a 32” chandelier would probably be a good size.

This being said, height is another measurement that should not be ignored. Considering the height at which the chandelier will hang is very important. If the room has low ceilings, the chandelier will also hang quite low, therefore buyers should consider buying a smaller one. Conversely if the room has very high ceilings then investing in a larger chandelier will create the most satisfaction, given that the higher chandeliers hang the smaller they appear. If you have a large room, do not try to skimp, purchasing a smaller chandelier-once installed it will look diminutive.

If you intend for your chandelier to be fixed above a table, attention should be paid to proportions. A chandelier should be around 12” narrower than the width of the table over which it hangs. It should also hang at least 30” above the table to avoid interfering with centerpieces, conversations and heads of diners. Beyond that, it is up to the homeowner to decide the best position of their chandelier, that’s the fun of decorating!