Chandelier Lighting Styles

Different Styles and Materials

• Although crystal or glass chandeliers are the most common, chandeliers are available in many different styles. Mission chandeliers are simple and straight-edged. They're often made with colored glass and create a warm glow, whereas wrought iron chandeliers have a heavier, more traditional feel. Chandeliers made of antlers are popular in a rustic environment.

Positioning

• A large chandelier with multiple tiers needs space around it to be viewed at its best. A double height hallway or foyer makes the perfect position for a large chandelier. In a foyer be sure to leave 7 feet of space underneath the lowest part of the chandelier. A small chandelier can be hung in a smaller space, such as a bathroom or closet, to great effect. When hanging a chandelier over a table, center it to the middle of the table, not the middle of the room.

Lights

• Use a chandelier with many lights in a large space, like a hallway. If you're using a chandelier with many lights in a smaller space, install a dimmer to regulate the light output and use a lower wattage of light bulb to ensure an atmospheric effect. A chandelier is for mood lighting, not task lighting, and shouldn't be overwhelming.

Matching a Chandelier to an Interior Theme

• Ornate chandeliers, with many crystal drops suit a feminine space, such as a dressing room or bathroom. Simple chandeliers, with geometric shades and minimal decoration, look great in a modern home. Match the style of the chandelier to the period of your home; simple geometric shapes suit 1920s spaces, or contrast a modern statement chandelier in a period interior.