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Choosing a chandelier goes beyond adding a lighting element to your room: from the simplest to the most ornate designs, it can help you emphasize the sleek, majestic or nostalgic look of your décor!
Given its importance and the central role that it'll immediately seize in your room, you should spend some time understanding exactly what type of chandelier you need and what would work well with the rest of your furniture and décor style.
If you follow our 5 handy tips, there will be no risk of disappointment!
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Truth be told, this depends on your preference and the size of the room, but, if you're striving for a balanced look, there's a trick that we can share with you!
You must measure the length and width of your room (in feet), sum them together, and change the result into inches: that's the best size for the diameter of your new chandelier;
If the chandelier will be centered on your seating area rather than the entire room, use the dimensions of that space instead;
If it will be hanging above a table, look for a diameter that's around 12" smaller than the width of the table;
Don't forget that your chandelier is a statement piece: if you're torn between two models in slightly different sizes, it's always better to go for a slightly larger option than a tiny one.
As for its length:
Leave around 7 feet off the floor;
If it's hanging above a dining room table, allow at least 30 inches between the two;
In small rooms and, especially, entryways and foyers, check that the swing of the door doesn't get in the way of your new chandelier.
When it comes to the number of lights, chandeliers are tricky: a model with more branches and light bulbs won't automatically be brighter!
The number of lights on your chandelier is mainly a statement and a conscious decorative choice: what matters the most in terms of brightness is its overall wattage;
As a starting point, multiply your room's square footage by 1.5 to calculate the right wattage for that space;
However, do keep in mind that, unlike more functional overhead lights, decorative chandeliers are usually intended to be complemented by other sources of lighting, such as table lamps and wall lights.
