How to Select Chandeliers?

Technically speaking, a chandelier is a branched, decorative lighting fixture that has a number of bulbs or candles and is suspended from a ceiling. However, speaking from the point of interior decor, it is one such lighting that is capable of giving unique style to any room of your home. The chandelier manufacturers and suppliers have innumerable designs of various types of chandeliers available for you. Now it's you who chooses, from among these numerous chandeliers, the one which will really make your home ambiance a perfect one. So, how to select chandeliers? Let's explore!


Decide on the Type of Chandelier
A Chandelier must match your home decor and style.

• Traditional homes demand metal chandeliers – may be brass, iron or wooden chandeliers - one which is a slight ornamental with five arms.
• For more contemporary looks a crystal chandelier or a glass chandelier will do the magic.
• A candle chandelier is perfect for bringing soft romantic mood in the surroundings.
• The wrought iron chandelier will bring in a rustic-looking atmosphere.
• Antique chandelier suits best the Victorian and traditional types of homes by bringing elegance and sophistication to them.

Select the Right Sized Chandelier

Size of a chandelier is very crucial when it comes to the right home decor. A chandelier not proportionate to the room size will look out of place.

• Huge and grand chandeliers are good for big halls and rooms but not for smaller sized rooms.
• Always measure the height of the room for which a chandelier is being selected. Allow at least 6 feet 5 inches headroom from the floor.
• For a room smaller than 10' by 10', a chandelier having a diameter of 17" to 20" will be good.
• For a room of about 12' x 12', a chandelier of 26" or 27" will be appropriate.
• For a room of about 14' x 14', get a 24" to 36" chandelier.
• If chandelier is for dining room, the width and length of dining table should also be measured. The chandelier should be about 12 inches shorter than the dining table's width.
• Different dining tables need chandeliers of different sizes. A six person dining table can have a chandelier having width of 1.5 - 2 ft. An eight person dining table can do with 2 - 2.5 ft wide chandelier and the more bigger dining tables, say for 10 to 12 persons, will need a 2.5 - 3.5 ft wide chandelier.
• Remember to hang the chandelier about 30" from the surface of the table to have sufficient light and to avoid bumped heads.

Other Considerations for Chandeliers
There are certain other factors that should be kept in mind wile buying and installing a chandelier.

• If you want the chandelier to sufficiently illuminate the surroundings, select the one whose bulbs have a total wattage of 200 watts to 400 watts.
• The functionality of vintage chandeliers can be improved through rewiring by a qualified electrician.
• If planning to install a chandelier in bathroom, think twice. The chandeliers normally don't have waterproof wiring. If then also you want to get one, then go for a chandelier that takes candles instead.
• Loose and hanging wires should always be covered with a narrow sleeve of fabric which should be 3 times longer than the wire so that it may give a gathered look.