No longer are chandeliers reserved for grand entrance halls. Today, you can hang a chandelier in nearly any room in your home without said room having to be reserved for special occasions.
From the dining room to your master bedroom, to your guest bathroom, the right size chandelier can bring a sense of style and elegance that is unmatched by any other item of décor. The trick is to choose the right style and size so that it doesn’t dominate the space.
If you’re looking for tips on how to choose the perfect dining room chandelier, check out the rest of this blog for more.
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Top Considerations When Choose a Dining Room Chandelier
Chandeliers tend to have this grandiose reputation as if they cannot exist in a regular-size home without looking out of place. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. Nowadays, you can find chandeliers of all shapes, sizes, and styles to suit your home aesthetic and room size — check out Sputnik for more on that.
If you’re tossing up the idea of hanging a chandelier in your home, think of them as approachable, rather than over-the-top. They are a great way to make a statement in any room, without splashing a ton of cash, too.
Before you dive into buying any old chandelier, here’s what to think about first:
- What’s the purpose –will your chandelier be more decorative or used as a main source of light?
- The scale and size according to the room’s measurements
- The height of the ceiling in the room and where your chandelier will be placed
- The style and finish of the chandelier — how will it tie into other decorative elements of the room?
- The care of the chandelier — how intricate it is and how to clean it
If you’re looking for a source of general/ambient lighting in your dining room, then a chandelier is a good choice. However, if your room is already fitted with down lighting, for example, you can also use a chandelier for decorative or mood lighting.
Tips on Choosing the Right Size Chandelier
Selecting the right size chandelier can make or break any room. If you choose a chandelier that’s too large, it can completely dominate the space and even make the room look smaller. If your chandelier is too small, it can look insignificant and very out of place.
Basically, you want your chandelier to be a focal point of the room, but you don’t want it to be distracting, either. If you’re in doubt about the right size, always opt for a chandelier on the bigger side. Hanging a chandelier that’s too small for the room is far more noticeable, than one that’s slightly oversized.
Your best bet at choosing the perfect size chandelier is to measure up the room’s dimensions and keep your ceiling height in mind. When measuring height, make sure that the bottom of the chandelier is at least 7-feet from the floor, or more.
Take into consideration whether your chandelier will be flush or semi-flush against your ceiling. Remember, the higher your ceiling, the larger your chandelier should be.
A Note on Room Measurements
In order to determine the perfect size chandelier, measure the length and width of the dining room. For example, if your room measures 10×15 feet, simply add these two numbers together for your room footage, i.e. 25-feet.
Then convert this number into inches, instead of feet, and this is the ideal size chandelier to order, i.e. a chandelier that measures 25-inches in width. Alternatively, you can measure the room diagonally across, and use this number in inches to choose the right size chandelier.
How to Install Your Own Chandelier
Before you DIY your chandelier installation, you must turn off your main source of power, first. Locate the electrical box fixture and make sure it’s securely attached to the ceiling. Tighten any loose screws and make sure the supply box wires are in good condition.
The next step is to measure the chandelier chain length from the ceiling. The height of your ceiling will determine your chain length, as well as how high you want your chandelier to hang over your dining room table.
A good rule-of-thumb is this: keep the chain 3-inches long, for every foot of ceiling height. So, if your ceiling is 10-foot high, then your chandelier chain should be roughly 30-inches long.
You’ll then need to attach the fixture to the electrical box on the ceiling. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all the details you need.
Just keep in mind that hanging a chandelier is not a one-man job. You may need the help of another person to hold up the chandelier while you attach it to the electrical box.
Once your chandelier is attached, you’ll need to install the lightbulbs. This can make a huge impact on the lighting of the room and what your chandelier looks like when it’s in use.
If you’re looking for soft, decorative lighting, go for incandescent bulbs. If you’re looking for more task-driven lighting, go for LED bulbs that give off bright, natural lighting.
A Few Handy Tips
If you prefer to hire professional help for the installation of your chandelier, then a good way to save both time and money on labor costs is to assemble the chandelier before they arrive.
Remember to consider the width of your dining table, too. You don’t want to buy a chandelier that’s wider than your dining table as it could pose a hazard to your taller guests who may bump into it when standing up.
It’s crucial that you keep the weight of your chosen chandelier in mind. If it weighs 50lbs or more, it must be secured to a house structure. If your room is on the smaller side, you can forgo the chandelier chain and opt for a flush or semi-flush mount on the ceiling.
Turn Your House Into Your Dream Home
When it comes to choosing the perfect dining room chandelier, you want to keep these fundamentals in mind: ceiling height, room width, chandelier weight, and dining table width. If you keep these dimensions in mind, you can’t go wrong!
If you’re a lover of home DIY and décor inspiration, then this blog is for you. Be sure to explore for home and garden decorating hacks and turn your house into your ideal home.
