Choosing a Chandelier: Tips & Formulas to Save You Mistakes & Money
As a lifelong blonde, I don’t really believe in “blonde moments.”
But if such a thing exists, this definitely qualifies.
Last year when I was redecorating my office, I ordered a gorgeous chandelier.
But when it arrived, I realized I had made a huge decorating mistake.
When choosing lighting, most people make the mistake of buying a fixture that is too small.
Not me. I knew to calculate the room’s square footage to make sure my chandelier was big enough. But I must have skipped right over that part about ceiling height because the light I choose was way too tall for the 8-foot ceilings in my office.
Talk about a head slap, literally!
That's why I've put together this by-the-numbers guide to choosing a chandelier -- with tips and formulas for choosing the right size chandelier for your space, how to hang it and how to make sure you have enough light for your room.
It includes tips and formulas that will save you (and me!) mistakes and money.
For instance, to figure out how big your chandelier should be, keep this formula in mind:
Length of the Room (in feet) + Width of the Room (in feet) = Diameter of the Chandelier (in inches)
So, if your room is 12 feet by 14 feet, add 12+14=26 and choose a chandelier that is at least 26 inches in diameter.
Be sure to allow at least 7 feet of clearance when hanging a chandelier in the middle of a room so people don't smack their heads on it.
I have lots of other great chandelier advice on my blog, including the perfect height to hang a chandelier over a dining room table, how to make sure a light is in proportion with your table, how to choose chandeliers or pendants to hang over bedside tables and more.
But if such a thing exists, this definitely qualifies.
Last year when I was redecorating my office, I ordered a gorgeous chandelier.
But when it arrived, I realized I had made a huge decorating mistake.
When choosing lighting, most people make the mistake of buying a fixture that is too small.
Not me. I knew to calculate the room’s square footage to make sure my chandelier was big enough. But I must have skipped right over that part about ceiling height because the light I choose was way too tall for the 8-foot ceilings in my office.
Talk about a head slap, literally!
That's why I've put together this by-the-numbers guide to choosing a chandelier -- with tips and formulas for choosing the right size chandelier for your space, how to hang it and how to make sure you have enough light for your room.
It includes tips and formulas that will save you (and me!) mistakes and money.
For instance, to figure out how big your chandelier should be, keep this formula in mind:
Length of the Room (in feet) + Width of the Room (in feet) = Diameter of the Chandelier (in inches)
So, if your room is 12 feet by 14 feet, add 12+14=26 and choose a chandelier that is at least 26 inches in diameter.
Be sure to allow at least 7 feet of clearance when hanging a chandelier in the middle of a room so people don't smack their heads on it.
I have lots of other great chandelier advice on my blog, including the perfect height to hang a chandelier over a dining room table, how to make sure a light is in proportion with your table, how to choose chandeliers or pendants to hang over bedside tables and more.
Avoid costly decorating mistakes with this by-the-numbers guide to choosing the right chandelier for every room and space in your home. Learn how to figure out what size chandelier you need for your room, plus formulas for how high to hang lights over dining tables, nightstands, beds and more. Learn about the right size chandeliers for your ceilings and square footage. You'll also learn how to figure out if a fixture will put out enough light for the room.
Chandeliers are a great space-saving alternative to bedside lamps. But do you know how low to hang chandeliers or pendants over your nightstand? (Photo credit: Pottery Barn)
Do you know how to choose a chandelier that will look perfect over your dining room table and in proper proportion with it? What about how high or low you should hang it? (Photo credit: Ballard Designs)
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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2 comments
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This is good information to have! Thank you :)
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@Colleen Glad you found it useful!
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