There are wide range of chandeliers varying in size, finish and style, selecting the ideal fit is a tough task. If you are not sure about what chandelier style you want yet, check out our guide for different types of chandeliers. In this blog, we are going to dive deep into how to choose the right size chandelier, which will adds great ambiance and style for your home.

Choose the right size chandelier is not an easy task as there are so many variables and sometimes we do not even know where to get started. What should be the right size for a chandelier? A small chandelier can easily get lost if it is a large space and cannot deliver a strong design element, while a large chandelier can be too overwhelming in a small space. The right chandelier is proportional to the height and width of the room as well as the furniture size in the room.

Here are several general rules that apply to most spaces:

1. How to determine the chandelier’s diameter

Measure spaces’ length and width in feet, sum them up and that will be approximate diameter for the chandelier in inches.

For example:  16 feet (Room Length) + 8 feet (Room Width) = 24 feet; The chandelier should be about 24 inches for its diameter

2. How to determine the chandelier’s height

Measure the space’s floor to ceiling distance in feet, multiple by 2.5 will be approximate height for the chandelier in inches.

For example: 11 feet (Room Height), 11*2.5 = 27.5 The chandelier should be about 27.5 inches for its height

3. How to determine how high should the chandelier to be hanged

If you are hanging the chandelier on an open floor, chandelier’s bottom should at least be 7 feet away from the floor.

If you are hanging the chandelier above a dining table, chandelier’s bottom should be 30 to 36 inches away from the tabletop.

Other rules which can apply for different type of spaces.

Dining Room

If you are hanging the chandelier above your dining table, you can also decide the size of the chandeliers based on the size of your dining table. We generally recommend that the width or diameter of the chandelier should be between 1/2 and 2/3 of the width of the dining table.

For example, let’s say that you have a dining table with 32 inches in width and 66 inches in length.

• If you are choosing a round chandelier, its diameter should be between 16 (32 x 1/2) to 21 (32 x 2/3) inches.
• If you are choosing a rectangular chandelier, its width should be between 16 to 21 inches and length should be 33 to 44 inches (Same here 1/2 to 2/3 of the dining table length)

Two-Story Foyer with Staircase

Beside the general rule that the chandelier’s bottom should be at least 7 and half feet away from the floor. For two story, what you also need to consider is that how will it look from the second floor. In general, staircase chandeliers will be a good choice for the space. In term of placing, below are two commonly seen guidance:

• The general guideline is to use the second floor as a reference point. Hanging the chandelier slightly lower than or at the top of the staircase. This way, when you are at the top of the staircase, the top of the chandelier will be at your eye-level.

• On the other hand, there are many designers who advocate for independent placement just to make the chandelier the focal point or placing the chandelier in relation to another architectural features. For example. if there is a large transparent window above the door, it should be centered in the window for best visual result from outside.

Long Hallways

Chandelier size for hall ways should be determined by the width of the hallway. Multiple the hallway’s width in feet by 2.5 will be the diameter of the chandelier in inches.

For example, the hallway’s width is 8 feet. The chandelier’s diameter should be about 20 (8 x 2.5) inches

If you want to decorate with chandelier for your long hallways. We always recommend having them

• Centered in the middle of the hallway
• Spaced between 8 and 10 feet apart
• At least 7 and half feet clearance from floor to bottom of chandelier.