Chandeliers
Statement Ceiling Lighting for Every Room
About Chandeliers
A chandelier sets the mood for the whole room, so size and hanging height matter more than style. Add your room's length and width in feet and read the total as inches for a starting diameter. Then hang it so the bottom sits at least 7 ft above the floor, or 30 to 34 inches above a table.
Buying guides
- Chandelier Buying GuideQuick, room-by-room answers on chandelier size, hanging height, shape, and style, with a direct route to the detailed...
- Chandelier Hanging Height GuideHang it too high and it floats, but too low and it blocks faces across the table. Here's how to set the drop for dini...
- Chandelier Size GuideFind the right chandelier size for your room or dining table in minutes, with easy sizing rules, ideal hanging height...
- Dining Room Chandelier GuideNarrowed it down to a few fixtures? Here's how to size, hang, and light a dining room chandelier so it suits your tab...
Types of chandeliers
- Crystal Chandeliers Cut crystal scatters light across the room. A classic choice for dining rooms, foyers and formal living rooms.
- LED Chandeliers Built-in LEDs mean no bulbs to replace and a slim profile. Many dim, and some offer adjustable color temperature.
- Mini Chandeliers Smaller fixtures for bedrooms, closets, hallways, kitchens and breakfast nooks, or for pairs over a long table.
How to choose a chandelier
- Size by room Add the room's length and width in feet. A 12 x 14 ft room suggests a chandelier about 26 inches across.
- Over a table Choose a width about half to two-thirds of the table's width, and at least 12 inches narrower than the table so no one hits it when standing up.
- Ceiling height Allow roughly 2.5 to 3 inches of fixture height for each foot of ceiling. On an 8 ft ceiling, choose a flush or semi-flush style.
- Foyers Keep the bottom at least 7 ft above the floor where people walk. In a two-story foyer, hang it so the center sits about at the second-floor level.
- Light output Match lumens to the room. Add a dimmer so one fixture can serve both dinner and cleanup.
Chandelier size chart
| Room size | Chandelier diameter | Typical rooms |
|---|---|---|
| 10 x 10 ft | About 20" | Bedrooms, small dining rooms |
| 12 x 14 ft | About 26" | Dining rooms, primary bedrooms |
| 14 x 16 ft | About 30" | Living rooms, large dining rooms |
| 16 x 20 ft | About 36" | Great rooms, open dining areas |
Going bigger than 36"? A ceiling of 10 ft or more keeps a large chandelier from crowding the room. In a long room, two matching chandeliers spaced evenly often look better than one oversized fixture.
Chandelier specs explained
| Spec | What it means | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter | Width of the fixture at its widest point | Room length plus width in feet, read as inches |
| Overall height | Distance from the ceiling to the bottom, with the chain or stem at its longest | Compare with your ceiling height and how far you can drop it |
| Bulb count and wattage | How many bulbs it holds and the most each can draw | More bulbs for larger rooms; LED bulbs use far less power |
| Dimmable | Works with a dimmer switch | Dining rooms, bedrooms, living rooms |
| Damp rated | Handles humidity, not direct water | Covered porches, bathrooms, screened patios |
| Chain and wire length | How much adjustable length the fixture ships with | High ceilings may need extra chain |
Chandelier questions
What size chandelier do I need?
Add your room's length and width in feet and read the total as inches. A 12 x 14 ft room suggests about 26 inches. Over a table, choose a width about half to two-thirds of the table's width. The size chart above covers common rooms. For more detail, see the chandelier size guide, or the dining room chandelier guide for table sizing.
How high should a chandelier hang?
Over a table, hang the bottom 30 to 34 inches above the surface. In open space such as a foyer or living room, keep the bottom at least 7 ft above the floor. In a room with a ceiling over 8 ft, add roughly 3 inches of hanging height per extra foot. See the hanging height guide and the foyer chandelier guide. For ceilings over 9 ft, read how to choose for high ceilings.
Can I put a chandelier in a room with an 8 ft ceiling?
Yes, with a flush or semi-flush style. These sit close to the ceiling and keep the bottom clear of heads. Check the fixture's overall height against the 7 ft clearance. The 8-foot ceiling chandelier guide walks through the options.
Can I hang a chandelier in a bedroom or kitchen?
Yes. A mini or small chandelier suits a bedroom, and one centered over an island or breakfast nook works in a kitchen. Keep it out of the path of cabinet doors and the cooktop. See the bedroom chandelier guide and the kitchen chandelier guide.
Should I choose a round or linear chandelier, modern or traditional?
Match the shape to the space: round fixtures suit round and square tables and open rooms, while linear fixtures suit rectangular tables and islands. Style is about the room's other finishes. See linear vs round chandeliers and modern vs traditional chandeliers.
Do I need a dimmer for a chandelier?
It helps. A dimmer lets one fixture work for dinner and for cleanup. Check that the chandelier and its bulbs are listed as dimmable, and that the dimmer matches the bulb type.
Can I use a chandelier outdoors?
Only if it is rated for it. Damp-rated fixtures suit a covered porch or screened patio; indoor-only fixtures are not built for moisture.
