Everything You Need to Know About Chandeliers
When you think of chandeliers, what comes to mind? Grandiose entryways? Over the top glitz?
What if we told you that chandeliers can be in every home? This type of lighting is actually more approachable than you might think. With options to include them in not only entryways, but kitchens, bedrooms and even smaller spaces like your laundry or bathroom, these can be a great way to spruce up your space in the unlikeliest of ways!
To start, a chandelier is an ambient light source. Ambient lighting, also known as “general lighting”, redirects light across the room in a uniform manner. It can be the main source of light for a space, but it is not considered a task light. For more of a breakdown and understanding on the different types of lighting, read our Lighting Basics blog post here.
We like to think of the chandelier as the jewelry of the room. You can approach it one of two ways:
- you can either decorate the room and accessorize with it; or,
- you can make the chandelier the jumping off point and accessorize around it. A chandelier can be an accessory or the focal point.
In order to maintain the “wow factor” without completely overwhelming your space, start by measuring the diameter of the room you want to put a chandelier in. If you know the length and width of the desired area, just add those two numbers together. For example. if the room is 12×16 feet, the diameter of the room is 28 feet. You would then look for a chandelier that has a width of approximately 28 inches. If you are not sure of the dimensions of the room and looking for a quicker way to determine the size of the light fixture, you can measure the room diagonally to get the diameter that way as well.
Once you know the size you are looking for, you can narrow down your search quite a bit and make it easier to find the perfect match. You can further narrow the search by knowing the style of design you are looking for. Crystal chandeliers are historically the most common and can add an element of pizzazz and sparkle. Tiffany or Art Glass include colorful, geometric patterns often with copper and bronze finishes. Industrial chandeliers use reclaimed wood and iron and are frequently found in minimalist designs. Then there is Rustic and Transitional chandeliers. These will be the most modern takes on chandeliers that may be easier to incorporate into contemporary homes. Similar to the Industrial style lights, they use wood and iron; however, these design styles are used to convey comfort and warmth.
No matter what your style, a chandelier is a great way to bring beauty, dimension and of course light, to any home! Take a peak at a few of our favorite lighting companies below to spark your creativity.