Chandelier Size Guide
A chandelier is one of the first things you see when you enter a room. It often adds an element of elegance and glamour to your space. So, it’s important to evaluate the placement and size of a chandelier before settling on one.
There are two factors to consider when positioning a chandelier: where it will be placed and its hanging height. If it’s mounted too low, it will disrupt the flow of traffic in the room. If it’s placed too high, the light may be too dim to make any impact. If the chandelier is too big or small, it will negatively affect the aesthetic of the room.
If you’re in the market for a new chandelier, explore this chandelier size guide to learn about:
- Picking the perfect size dining room chandelier
- What size foyer chandelier should I get?
- Finding the right size living room chandelier
- FAQs on chandelier sizes and types
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Picking the Perfect Size Dining Room Chandelier
Whether you spend your time entertaining friends or enjoying quiet dinners with the family, the dining room holds a special place in the home. Finding the perfect chandelier may be daunting. But the right size dining room chandelier can boost the overall aesthetic and ambiance of the room. Our size and placement guidelines below will help you in picking out the perfect chandelier.
First, it’s important to evaluate your room space and table size before purchasing a chandelier for your dining room. Measure the length and width of your dining room in feet, add these numbers together and then convert the total to inches. The answer in inches should equal the diameter of the chandelier. So for example, a 12' x 12' room can handle a chandelier approximately 24" in diameter.
Next, you’ll want to center the chandelier over the dining table, not the middle of the room. The lighting fixture will create a focal point centered on your dining set. Make sure that the diameter of the chandelier is at least a foot smaller than the width of the dining room table. Or if you want to have more than one chandelier spaced over a longer table, they can be about one-third the width of the table and still provide enough light.
The bottom of the chandelier should be mounted 30" to 36" above the table with an 8-foot ceiling height. If your ceiling is taller, install the chandelier an extra three inches higher. You don’t want your lighting fixture to block your view or hit someone. You also don’t want to place it too high where it doesn’t light up the table or room properly.
What Size Foyer Chandelier Should I Get?
Foyers set the design tone of your space, and a foyer chandelier is one of the first things people see when entering your home. It’s important to keep this area well-lit and functional. There are different types of chandeliers worth considering. But keep in mind that the dimensions of your room should still determine your chandelier size. To guide you, we help narrow down what works well below.
Choose the design aesthetic that’s right for your foyer first. For example, modern foyer chandeliers pair well with minimalist styles. If you’re looking for something more rustic, farmhouse foyer lighting or a French country chandelier will do the trick. A crystal chandelier works best in traditional homes that exude timeless and elegant décor. Different chandelier styles have different measurements, so it’s important to not overlook size.
Once you’ve picked your chandelier type, take the proper measurements. Add the length and width of the room in feet and convert the answer to inches to get an approximate diameter for your foyer chandelier. Your chandelier should also have at least two to three inches of height for each foot of ceiling height. For instance, a 10-foot-high foyer ceiling should have enough room for a chandelier that is about 20 to 30 inches high.
If your ceiling is much lower, consider a convertible or flush mount chandelier that can be mounted directly to the ceiling. These types of chandeliers can be just as elegant as traditional chandeliers but fit better in spaces with low ceilings.
Finding the Right Size Living Room Chandelier
Living rooms are often a high traffic area in a home, especially when guests come to visit. What better way to show off the space than with a chandelier? These dramatic fixtures can provide the focal point of living rooms and are often admired for their elegance and appeal. Our chandelier size and placement guide will help narrow down your search.
When picking the right living room chandelier, consider the overall style of your living room. Sleek, modern looks work well with minimalist fixtures like black chandeliers. Traditional rooms pair well with crystal chandeliers. Regardless of style, it’s important to measure your space. This involves adding the length and width of the room together in feet and converting the total to inches to get an approximate guideline for the chandelier diameter. If your living room is small, mini chandeliers, lanterns, and drum chandeliers may work best.
The height of your chandelier depends on a few different factors. Regardless of where you mount your chandelier, it should never be so low that it can injure your guests. The bottom of your chandelier should never be installed lower than seven feet from the ground, unless it’s over a tabletop. If you have eight- or nine-foot ceilings, the bottom of your lighting fixture should fall about 84 inches from the floor or higher. For tall ceilings, add an extra three inches to this number for every foot of ceiling height past nine feet.
Bellacor has been helping shoppers find the perfect chandelier since 2000. We’re dedicated to providing top-tier products to fit any budget and taste. Browse our Chandelier Height Guide to learn about chandelier sizes and how high you should mount them.
FAQs on Chandelier Sizes and Types
What should I look for in a chandelier?
There are different factors to consider before buying a chandelier:
- What purpose your chandelier will serve
- How much light is needed in your room?
- Your room size and what size and type of chandelier will fit
- How high you can place the chandelier based on the size of the room
- What type of chandelier finish will best complement your space?
What size chandelier should I get over my table?
The size of your chandelier will depend on the size of your dining room and the width of your table. For example, a chandelier mounted over a 60-inch round table in a room that measures 10' x 10' should have a diameter of about 20 inches, but that same table in a larger room might accommodate a chandelier up to 48" in diameter (which is one foot smaller than the width of the table). See our guidelines above for choosing the right size chandelier for a dining room.
What size bathroom chandelier should I get?
Installing a bathroom chandelier is trickier due to all the electrical codes involved. The size of chandelier you should get depends on where you want to hang it. For example, a chandelier hanging above your bathtub should be at least eight feet above the highest point on the tub’s edge or three feet beyond it. If you don’t have much clearance, opt for a wall sconce instead.
The right size bathroom chandelier depends on the ceiling height and layout of your room. If you have a small bathroom, opt for a mini chandelier. Large bathrooms with high ceilings have more style options to choose from. Regardless of the type of chandelier you get, make sure it’s suitable for damp locations.
What size bedroom chandelier should I get?
What size bedroom chandelier you should buy depends on where you want to hang it. There are usually two types of placements:
- Centered placement: This type of placement involves mounting the chandelier over the foot of your bed in the center of the room. In many cases, you might have an easier installation with this placement because a previous light fixture was wired there. Usually, centering your bedroom chandelier means that it will be above the foot of your bed.
- Over the bed placement: Placing a chandelier over the bed is another popular option. The size of your bed will play a big role in determining the size of chandelier you should get. For instance, chandeliers with a diameter of 36 inches may work well with a queen- or king-sized bed, if the size of the room can accommodate it. Chandeliers with a diameter of 24 inches or less tend to pair well with a full- or twin-sized bed.
Your chandelier’s lowest point should not hang below seven feet above the floor no matter where you mount it. Keep in mind that it shouldn’t obstruct the view of any TV screens or pose a safety hazard when you sit up or get out of bed.
You can also suspend two small chandeliers over nightstands on either side of the bed. This is a great option for task lighting in the bedroom. These chandeliers should be sized based on how big your nightstands are.
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