When many of us think of the chandelier, we imagine “The Sound of Music” or some similar Hollywood picture
featuring grand ballrooms illuminated by some elaborate and massive chandelier. You know the type—crystal for days and
so many bulbs that you find yourself wondering how much it might cost to power that monstrosity for a month. But, when you
remember the size of the room these ‘Hollywood’ chandeliers must illuminate, the light fixture actually seems
appropriate. This is precisely as it should be because the size of a chandelier is relative to the room in which they are
used.
Chandeliers are natural focal points of any décor so there is no need to buy a massive one that requires additional
ceiling supports in order to hang. When you purchase an over-sized chandelier, the effect may actually cheapen the décor and
make it seem gaudy or contrived. Remember, chandeliers convey a subtle grace and elegance. This effect is lost when you have
a massive chandelier illuminating a small room. The idea is for the chandelier to naturally draw attention without becoming
that mole on your aunt’s face that you just can’t seem to stop staring at.
Similarly, you certainly don’t want to buy a tiny chandelier
for a grand dining room. Undersized chandeliers send the message that you ran a little short on your lighting budget and will
forever look awkward and out-of-place. However, it is quite common to see tiny chandeliers in homes for the simple reason
that they are some of the most expensive lighting fixtures available for homeowners to choose. But if you do have your heart
set on a chandelier, how do you choose one that is sized correctly?
Many people choose to mount their chandelier above
the dining room table. The dining room is a more formal area and is well-suited for chandeliers. The diameter of the chandelier
is based upon the width of the dining room table. This is calculated by taking subtracting twelve inches from the total width
of the dining room table. The height that the chandelier should be mounted at for rooms with 9 foot ceilings is roughly 30-33
inches from the top of the dining room table. When the ceiling is above 9 feet tall, the chandelier should hang 3 inches more
(add 3 inches to the 30-33 inches figure for every foot above 9 feet) above the table for every foot. So, for a twelve foot
ceiling, the chandelier should be 39-42 inches above the dining room table.
When not using the chandelier in the dining room, the size is determined by the room dimensions. There are two basic
ways to calculate the diameter of a chandelier using room dimensions. In the first, the diameter is calculated by multiplying
2 inches by the total width of the room in feet. A width of 12 feet would require a chandelier with a diameter of 24 inches.
The
other method is to add the dimensions of the room and convert into inches. In other words, a 10’X12’ room would
have a chandelier with a diameter of 22 inches. Some judgment will be necessary but a good rule of thumb is that it is best
to err on the small side when you have more elaborate and traditional chandeliers and to go a little large on more modern
chandeliers.
