Chandeliers

A: The height and size of the chandelier needed, greatly depends on the application and the room size. For instance, in an area where there will be traffic under the fixture, such as a foyer, the bottom of the chandelier should be at least 7 feet from the floor. If your ceilings do not allow that level of clearance, consider installing a flush or semi-flush fixture. If you have taller ceilings, the common guideline is to allow 2.5 to 3 inches for each foot of ceiling height. As an example, a 10-foot ceiling needs a fixture with about 25 to 30 inches of height. Remember, the taller the ceiling, the larger the light fixture is required. For additional info please refer to our Chandelier Buying Guide.

A: The bottom of the chandelier, in an eight-foot ceiling, should be a minimum of 30 inches above the table. Make it three inches higher for each additional foot in ceiling height, but not greater than 36 inches. This allows you to showcase the chandelier while allow the chandelier to optimally illuminate the room. The taller the ceiling, the larger the light fixture is required. Our chandelier calculator above should answer specific sizing questions and for additional info please refer to our Chandelier Buying Guide.

A: The diameter/width of your dining room chandelier should generally be at least 12 inches smaller than the width of your dining room table. However, you may also want to take into consideration the size of your dining room and use a simple calculation. If more light is needed, you may want to consider multiple chandeliers rather than the traditional approach of one. For additional info please refer to our Chandelier Buying Guide.

A: Chandeliers come in a variety of styles to fit everyone's taste. The most popular chandelier styles include crystal, Tiffany or art glass, rustic, victorian, contemporary, modern, traditional, transitional, and Industrial. Within these styles, the fixtures may have fabric or glass shades and exposed bulbs. Their shapes may be tiered, linear globe or drum shaped. For additional info please refer to our Chandelier Buying Guide.

A: Chandelier with quality construction, that use long lasting materials have high costs in manufacturing coupled with portions of the fixture potentially being partially hand made, which naturally drives the cost up. A natural crystal, much like a diamond, is costly to acquire. Other materials, such as oil rubbed bronze or brass is a high quality metal will require more investment. Another factor for price, is the actual size of the chandelier. The larger the fixture, the more costly it will likely be as the cost is typically directly proportional to the type and amount of materials that are used in its creation. Another factor in price is what designer created it. Well known designer's name attached to a chandelier will increase its value. A final factor in the pricing structure is the intricacy of the fixture. The more detail, the more it will drive the cost up. For additional info please refer to our Chandelier Buying Guide.

A: Depending on the size and the materials used, chandelier weights vary greatly. For instance a mini chandelier may weigh as little as 5 pounds and be only a few inches in width. Whereas a grand crystal chandelier made out of iron may weigh hundreds of pounds and be several feet across. As an example, if you are placing a mini chandelier in the center of ceiling where the electrical box is being supported by drywall materials only, this should not be an issue. However, for any chandelier that weighs greater than 50 pounds, according to the National Electrical Code criteria, you will want to be sure that the electrical box is fastened to joists/frames within the ceiling support structure. Make sure to check with a licensed electrician in your area to be sure that the structure of your ceiling can support your choice of fixtures or what additional supports may need to be added. Following these recommendation will provide you with a safe and stress free chandelier experience for you to enjoy in your home for years to come. For additional info please refer to our Chandelier Buying Guide.

A: The height of a chandelier will need to be altered depending on the height of your ceiling or table, remembering, that as a baseline, you don't want a chandelier that you will walk under to be lower than 7' from the floor and that with a table, you want the space between the table top and the bottom of the fixture to be between 30-36". Nearly all chandeliers will come with a chain or a downrod. These can both be adjusted to be sure your fixture is placed at the optimum height for your space. If you are shortening a chained chandelier yourself, you will want to go to a hardware store and purchase a chain pliers, which will make the adjustment simple and painless. Mark how many links you want removed, shorten the chain with the pliers and re-close the link. Don't forget to also cut the wire an extra foot or so longer than the chain. Finish installing as usual. For additional info please refer to our Chandelier Buying Guide.