Modern Home Lighting: Chandelier Dos and Dont’s

Chandeliers are a great addition to practically any room in your home, but determining the best size and height can be tricky. Check some these important dos and don’ts when decorating with this gorgeous piece of modern home lighting,

DO ensure that the chandelier is the right size. A good rule of thumb is to add the dimensions of your room together in feet and convert it to inches. The resulting number should equal the diameter of the fixture. For instance, if your room measures 10 feet by 15 feet, the diameter of the fixture should be about 25 inches.

DON’T necessarily follow the above rule in dining rooms and take into consideration the size of the table. The diameter of a dining room fixture should be about one-half to two-thirds the width of the table, or about a foot less than the width at its widest point.

DO go bigger than smaller in dining rooms. If the lighting fixture appears too big like the Welles 12 Light Chandelier by Kenroy Home, hang it a little closer to the ceiling so it does not feel too overwhelming.

DON’T let the chandelier get closer than four feet from any wall or piece of furniture like a sideboard or cabinet. This might not be always achieved in small spaces but this is a good rule to keep in mind.

DO hand chandeliers low enough so they are able to light up the desired area, but not too low that anyone will hit their head.

DO hand a dining room chandelier between 30 inches and 36 inches from the tabletop.

DON’T hang chandeliers that are too ornate close to the table. Because heavy-looking fixtures tend to take up a lot of space, it would be okay to break the rules and hang them a few inches higher than the normal standard.

DON’T limit yourself to a single chandelier in a very big room. Instead, go with two slightly smaller fixtures like the Kane 6 Light Chandelier by Uttermost.

DO hand entryway chandeliers about 7 feet from the floor in a single story foyer. Any lower than this and tall people might hit their head.

DON’T hang a chandelier so that it hands below the second floor of a two-story entryway.

DO use chandeliers in various rooms of your home. They should look great in bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms and even home offices.

DON’T be afraid to experiment with styles. At times, a modern chandelier like the Pemberton Ceiling Fixture by Ren-Wil can look great in a room teeming with antiques, and a vintage piece can jive well in a contemporary space.