How to Measure the Size for a Chandelier Canopy

Measure the ceiling opening with a tape measure. Most chandelier's are sold with a canopy that is designed to match the appearance of the chandelier. In some cases, this canopy will be too small to cover the mechanical structures and ceiling hole used to hold the chandelier. In particular, some chandeliers have motors operated by remote controls that allow a large chandelier to be lowered for bulb changes, maintenance and cleaning. These differences in mounting can make the generic canopy unworkable.

Measure the height of the mounting hardware as it projects down from the ceiling. This measurement will give you the height of the canopy necessary to cover the hardware.

Select a canopy with the width to cover the opening cut into the ceiling. The canopy must also be designed to work with the mounting structure. Canopies are available from 3 inches wide to over 7 inches wide and with depths that vary from 1 inch to 4 inches. Some canopies are sold with separate mounting pieces that can be used to modify generic mounting pieces.

Choose a larger canopy for aesthetic reasons if the fixture is quite large. In most cases, the canopy's function is to hide the mounting point and complement the fixture. The canopy should be the same finish and style as the chandelier. When a fixture is quite large, the wider or more massive canopy will look more appropriate. It is also common to add a ceiling medallion that will fit the canopy to extend the architectural detail of the mounting.