- Choose Energy Star compliant light fixtures whenever possible.
- Use CFL bulbs for lower energy costs, longer life, and environmentally sound living.
- Choose the lowest wattage that will work for your needs.
- Install a dimmer so that you can use the least amount of energy possible at any given time.
- Light fixtures should always be UL rated for safety.
- Quality products come with warranties, typically one to two years.
- Check for durable materials as well as good workmanship, particularly if you are making a large investment.
- Make sure your chandelier comes with a long enough chain for your hanging plans.
- Consider hanging location and height to make the most of your chandelier’s look and effectiveness. Hanging too high can limit its impact, both in
style and lighting. See the Size and Location section for more details.
- Hiring an electrician for hanging is recommended, to ensure proper placement, safety, and for peace of mind in hanging large and/or expensive
pieces. Especially if you are installing a piece in a new location or changing any wiring, an electrician is the safe way to go.
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CHANDELIER SHOPPING TIPS
Chandeliers are available in a great variety of styles to suit a complete range of needs. Typically used over
dining tables and other eating areas, such as
kitchen dinettes, as well as in entry ways, foyers, and more, chandeliers add a dramatic decorative element to any room. Of course, they also serve an
important purpose in providing light, whether you are looking for a subtle and soft glow for a holiday meal or bright light at a kitchen table during snack
and homework time.
Additionally, you should think about energy cost and efficiency when you buy any lighting fixtures, including chandeliers. Look for Energy Star compliant options whenever
possible to save on electricity costs while preserving natural resources.
Chandeliers span a full range of styles, from ornate, intricate, and precious options for formal areas, to understated yet beautiful styles to suit
comfy country spaces. Consider your needs, your budget, and your room’s overall decorating style and appearance before settling on a chandelier style.
Coordinate with your overall décor theme when choosing chandeliers. Here are some examples of good matches, though never limit yourself to a formula when
decorating. Formal dining rooms do well with crystal chandeliers or ornate brass options.
Arts and crafts, rustic, or country style homes work well with
mission style chandeliers, which usually have simple designs in muted finishes with earth
tone glass or shades. A wrought iron chandelier with clean lines and graceful
curves will span country to classic styles. Homes with contemporary lighting usually feature streamline and sleek chandeliers with great attention to detail and form.
The style of antique lighting is another option. These are just basic ideas which should not limit your creativity or personal style.
Should you choose simple or ornate? Simpler styles are easier to blend with a room’s existing décor elements and are more flexible if you redecorate often;
ornate tends to provide a more formal and old world feel.
Materials greatly affect appearance. For example, a crystal chandelier evokes a look of formality and old style beauty.
A stained glass Tiffany style is
another old world option with a classic or even country feel. Metals, especially in glossy and streamline styles, tend to look more contemporary.
Wrought iron chandeliers work with classic to contemporary to rustic, depending on their design. Materials span
pewter,
brass,
nickel,
wrought iron,
crystal,
glass, and more.
Consider chandelier color and finish. Softer colors and finishes, including matte bronze
or pewter, any antique finish, and rustic brown lend themselves
to a more country or casual look; shiny metals, such as chrome or nickel, a more modern lighting feel. A polished brass chandelier can be a classic look.
Think shades. Chandelier shades can soften a look that would be too harsh otherwise,
adjust light output and quality, and serve as an easy and relatively inexpensive
way to update a chandelier’s look. Shades range from simple shapes in muted tones to ornate designs with bold colors. If you are buying for the long term but
want to experiment a bit, consider a classic chandelier jazzed up with unique shades.
Think outside the dining room. The dining room is the classic location for a chandelier. But don't forget that chandeliers work in other rooms such as double height
foyers, over kitchen islands and tables, in bedrooms, and even in bathrooms. With the range of sizes and styles available, you can find a chandelier to suit virtually anywhere.
Coordinate with other lighting. Often a chandelier is a key decorative element while other more subtle fixtures, such as
recessed lighting, provide additional brightness
to a room. Additionally, coordinating wall sconces,
table lamps and
floor lamps may be arranged to add more light output as well as more style to a room.
Larger chandeliers provide more light and make more of a design statement. However, if one is too large for its space, particularly in the dining room,
you risk bumping heads into it. There are some fairly standard guidelines to determine the appropriate size for a chandelier.
Hanging Height and Width over a Table: About 30” from the top surface of the table is a standard guideline. This should be high enough to avoid head bumps and
low enough to light the area well. If you have a ceiling that is higher than nine feet, you might want to consider a longer chandelier, both to fill up the space
above the table and to avoid using a very long chain (though most chains are coordinated with their chandelier and are fairly decorative.) As far as width, a
chandelier should typically be a foot narrower than the width of the table it hangs over.
Foyer/Entranceway Hanging Height and Size: If your chandelier will be hanging in an entranceway with a high ceiling, hanging it about nine feet up should work well.
You'll want it well out of the way of people’s heads, but not high enough that it looks too small for its space. If there is a high window in the area, it is nice to
center the fixture within that framework for an attractive look from outdoors as well as for your indoor lighting decor. As far as overall size, you probably want to go
large in an oversized entry space.
Other Locations: Chandeliers can be used in bedrooms, bathrooms, over kitchen islands, and anywhere you think one will look attractive.
Just make sure its hanging height is functional for providing light and that it does not cause an obstruction.
The total wattage used in a fixture will determine how much light it produces. The type of bulb and number of bulbs will also affect light output.
For chandelier light in a dining room, 40 to 60 watts per bulb, with six to eight bulbs, is a typical formation and usually sufficient, depending on size
of the room and other light sources.
Choose a fixture that will work with a dimmer switch for the most flexibility. On the lowest dimmer setting with shades, you can almost reproduce the subtle glow of
a candle chandelier.
Shades will affect light output by softening light and directing it downward. They also cut down on glare.
Do consider the type of bulbs used. The bulbs should be easy to replace for convenience. Some specialty bulbs are more expensive than other options,
so you may want to keep that in mind. Torpedo/flame/candelabra style bulbs are popular for chandelier lighting. CFL bulbs are great for energy savings and the
environment, and these are a top current choice. Typical chandelier bulb wattage is 40 to 60 per bulb.
If you plan to use a dimmer, make sure the bulbs work with one; particularly with CFL bulbs, you'll need to use specific options for dimmer compatibility.
Also make sure that the bulbs work with any shades you purchase, since shades typically clip onto the bulbs.
Always check to be sure that your bulb is suited for your fixture and that you don't exceed the wattage rating of your fixture.
For more information on chandeliers and coordinating light fixtures and bulbs, please see the Ceiling Lights Buying Guide, Bathroom Lights Buying Guide,
Wall Lights Buying Guide, Floor Lamps Buying Guide, Table Lamps Buying Guide, and the Light Bulbs Buying Guide at Builderssquare.com.
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