How Wide Should a Chandelier Be?

General Sizing Formula

• To properly size a chandelier to your space, measure in feet the length and width of your room and add the figures together. Take this number and use it in inches to determine the diameter of a chandelier that will fit the space. For example: A room that measures 20 feet long and 12 feet wide equals 32 feet. The diameter of your chandelier should therefore approximate 32 inches.

Dining Room Considerations

• A chandelier hung in a dining room should be further scaled to suit the dimensions of your dining table. If the general sizing formula produces a chandelier that overpowers the space or looks out of place because it is too small, size your chandelier's diameter to 3/4 the width of your table. As a rule, a chandelier looks better if it slightly too big rather than too small. Taller ceilings demand larger fixtures and airy designs tend to appear larger.

Foyer Placement

• A chandelier placed in an entrance or foyer poses its own sizing challenges. The right lighting fixture will create a safe, welcoming atmosphere for guests entering your home. For two-story foyers that feature a window above the front door, the chandelier should be centered in the window so that the light can be seen from the outside. Whether your chandelier is flush, semi-flush or multi-tiered, the bottom of the fixture should measure at least 7 feet from the floor. General sizing rules apply.

Chandelier Trends

• In today's homes, chandeliers are appearing wherever drama or elegance is desired. Colorful chandeliers brighten kitchens and bathrooms, and crystal designs add sparkle to bedroom and en-suite spaces. Chandelettes, or mini chandeliers measuring between 9 and 12 inches in diameter, are appearing in smaller rooms, corner spaces and alcoves. Minis may also be grouped to make an interesting statement in larger rooms. The chandelier may be complemented with sconces, pendants and flush-mounted fixtures to increase illumination levels in larger spaces.