Have you ever struggled with knowing what size chandelier you should buy for your space and how to position it? Where you place the chandelier in your home impacts what size you should buy. To take the guesswork out of the process, follow these easy tips for sizing and placement and to maximize the enjoyment of your purchase.
Chandelier Size
No matter what type of chandelier you are looking for the dimensions of your space are an important factor when determining chandelier size. The room will feel disjointed if the fixture is too big or too small. Start by measuring the length and width of your rooms as well as the height of your ceilings.
Take your room’s length and width in feet and add those two numbers together to determine in inches how big your chandelier should be. For example, if your room is 10′ x 15′, the sum of those equals 25’ thus your chandelier should be 25″ wide.
If you are placing the chandelier over a table, adjust the width of the chandelier to be 12″ narrower than the width of the table so no one bumps into it while getting in and out of their seat.
For chandelier height, we recommend 3″ for every foot of space between the floor and ceiling. For example, if the height of your ceiling is 8’ then multiply 8 x 3 to get 24”.
How to Position Your Chandelier
Chandelier positioning consists of two main factors: where it will be placed in the room and its hanging height. Improper chandelier positioning can impact the room’s overall aesthetic – if it hangs too low, it can hinder the flow of traffic; if it’s too high, the light may be too dim to be useful. For specific room guidelines reference the recommendations below.
Dining Room
Hanging Height: The bottom of the chandelier should hang 30″ – 36″ above the table.
Hang Position: The light should be above the middle of the table, not the middle of the room. If you have a buffet table or sideboard, your table is likely placed off-center in the room, so a chandelier hanging in the middle of the space will be confusing to the eye.
Above a Kitchen Island
Hanging Height: The bottom of the chandelier should hang 30″ – 36″ above the countertop.
Hanging Position: The chandelier should be centered in the middle of the island. However, if you are hanging multiple pendants or mini-pendants, we recommend placing them 30″ apart from each other along the center line of the island width. So, if you have three lights, center one above the middle of the island and then hang the other two 30″ apart on either side.
Entryway, Bedroom, or Living Room
Hanging Height: Always have 7′ of clearance between the bottom of the chandelier and the floor so no one bumps their head. If your ceiling is taller than 8′, mount the chandelier an additional 3″ higher for every extra foot above 8′.
In a two-story foyer, the bottom of the fixture should hang at the same level as the second floor.
Hanging Position: In a large foyer, a chandelier placed over a round table provides a bold statement. In a small foyer, the chandelier should hang in the middle of the room.
In a bedroom or living room, place the chandelier in the middle of the room or above a bed or coffee table. Hanging mini chandeliers above nightstands looks great, but remember the 30″ – 36″ rule!
Bathroom
Hanging Height: At least 8′ above the highest point from the tub’s edge.
Hanging Position: Building codes for wet environments dictate the chandelier must be at least 3′ from the edge of the tub or shower. Be sure that the chandelier is damp or wet location rated.
Dimming Your Chandelier
We recommend putting your new chandelier on a dimmer, especially if it’s in areas where people gather, like a kitchen or living room. Dimming allows you to add ambiance by adjusting light levels to match the environment. If you’re busy cooking in the kitchen you’ll want more light than if you’re sitting down to enjoy that delicious meal with family or friends. If you’re going to use LED bulbs in your chandelier be sure to buy dimmable ones.
We hope these simple tips will help you with your fixture selection and placement!
