What would you do with a chandelier in a home office?

Question

Just moved into our new house, and am settling in to my home office, which was the previous owners' dining room. I've inherited deep burnt orange walls and a brass chandelier. I've already got plans for the paint & window treatments (see photos) but have no idea what to do with this chandelier. What would you do with it? Replace? Paint? Change out the bulbs? Wrap/hang something around the arms of it?

Carla DeVries · Answer

We just bought an old house complete with the brass chandelier. I sprayed it with self etching primer and then spray painted it oil rubbed bronze. It is beautiful!

The Garden Frog with C Renee · Answer

Definitely spray paint the chandelier! Rustoleum either a brushed nickel/chrome or the rubbed bronze to go with the finial. That will greatly improve its look

Shelley S · Answer

I agree with the two people above. I would also remove the glass. I think that's it.

Judy A · Answer

Replace it with a ceiling fan. You'll be cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Linda Dann · Answer

I have struggled with chandeliers in my relatively new house- here's what I say- I would spray paint it white- or use a contrasting color that you like- you could etch the glass- change the bulbs- etc- but I wouldn't buy a fixture for a while until you start living in your office more. You're going to need other light in there- will the chandelier blend with that?? You should try and see how much you'll use it for light- or is it just for aesthetics. 
I'd just make it blend for now- then I think the answer will come- also are you going to hit yourself in the head every time you get up from your chair?? Good luck.

Jeanette S · Answer

If you are taking your dining room for an office, I assume you will be working from home a lot. The idea of a fan is great because it can keep one person cool without having to run up a power bill for a entire home. If you do not want a fan, put in canned lighting...or one of those interesting 'strips' that has different configurations of lighting...some of those are very interesting.

The Garden Frog with C Renee · Answer

You can also turn the chandelier upside down too and have the lights facing down to direct more light. I wish I had a pic of one I did like that and drilled very small holes around the base of the light and hung crystals. I have one now that I turned upside down but have not finished it yet because I cannot figure out what look I really want yet. LOL

Organized Home Remodeling & Buckeye Custom Cabinets and Closets · Answer

I would replace the light entirely and put in one of the newer inexpensive track lights with small bulbs that will give a more modern look and spread the light around the room for better distribution.

Sandra Rand · Answer

Interesting - thanks so much for everyone's feedback! I think I'll keep it & spray paint it oil rubbed bronze for now, remove the glass, and then in the summer see if I'll have a need for a fan. I know that I rely on it for a lot of light (particularly in these dark winter months), so whether I keep it or swap it out for something else (a fan or other fixture), it will have to provide significant amount of light.

Heather (New House New Home) · Answer

I would replace it altogether, if you can afford it. If not, paint it and remove the glass. Love your other ideas for the room.

Carolyn Hoxton · Answer

We had the same problem, had an electrician take it down, put up a light fixture we liked, just because it's there, is no reason to keep it. If you don't like it, get rid of it.

MikkiGirl · Answer

Spray paint the chandelier flat white and ditch the glass hurricanes. I'd keep the flame shaped bulbs.

Jill · Answer

Get rid of the chandelier and put in a ceiling fan or another type of light fixture.

Dolores DeLuise · Answer

Oh, I love the spice colored paint!!! It would go with salmon, dark red, orange, etc. You painted it white !!!

Starla Swanson · Answer

Pack it up, put in a good ceiling fan, and forget about the chandelier providing sufficient light for office work. It will only ever give you ambient lighting, and not much of that. The light is not downward, over the office. It's upward, toward the ceiling. The light will bounce off the ceiling and disperse into your room. Offices need good lighting, task lighting...best of all would lots of natural light if possible. Natural light is SO important in an any room, augmented with good task lighting. You might even consider small pot lights in the ceiling. There's already power up there...use it! You can get great LED lights that will flood your room with light, but watch the spectrum. 5000k is more like natural light.

Lynda · Answer

Paint it and add chandelier shades with metallic interiors to reflect the light downward until you decide if you like the look or not. The ceiling fan is a great idea, but remember to
have paper weights or your desktop piles will get blown around. Been there, it happened.
Also, depending how its made, you might be able to turn the arms upside down to direct
the light downward with some modern silicone dipped bulbs.

Margie*Lee · Answer

I would replace the chandelier with a ceiling fan. I have one in my den and love it. We have 3 of them in our house and use them spring, summer, and fall. That is a nice sized room for an office and you have plenty of light.

Funnygirl · Answer

spray paint a bright color,or oil rubbed bronze just what Sandra rand suggested.You can always sell it on eBay ,etc donate when the weather gets warmer replace with fan.Your chandelier can be hung outside after it's spray painted and replace bulbs with solar lights.Instant romance!

Diana Deiley · Answer

Love the neutral tones. I'd spray paint the fixture bronze, remove the glass globes but add small black lamp shades. Add a dimmer switch for light control. Congratulations on your new purchase.

Bonnie Woolever · Answer

Spray paint that chandelier and it will look totally new!!

What would you do with a chandelier in a home office?

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