We often think of chandeliers as magnificent pieces, elaborate designs adorned with crystal, and therefore too fussy for some, but in actual fact, they're really more approachable than that. Our modern, contemporary and transitional styles offer an ever-expanding array of fixture designs to match your space needs. Put them in the bathroom, the laundry room or even in the nursery. They are like pieces of jewellery for your home that reflect your personal style. Take a closer look, and you might find that a chandelier is the easiest way to "wow" the overall look of your home.

To help you narrow down the choices, here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions when buying a chandelier.

To find the perfect eye-catching statement for your space, there are a few elements you should take into consideration:

• Lighting requirement
• Size
• Placement
• Style
• Installation
• Long-term care and cleaning

When choosing a chandelier, there is a general rule of thumb that will give you a useful guide for scaling the size of your chandelier to be in proportion to the size of the room. This number can be increased or decreased by 10% depending on your taste.

Diameter/Width

The larger the space, the wider the chandelier

Start by measuring the length and width of the room in m. If the room has odd angles and no long solid wall, choose the longest sightline. That means measure from one wall to the opposite wall.

Example: 3.0m by 3.7m feet

Add the two lengths together.
Example: 3.0 + 3.7 = 6.7m

Multiply that number by 7.5

Example: 6.7m x 7.5 = 50.25m

Round the number and swap that value to cm (so 50.25m becomes 50cm).

This number would be the ideal diameter for a light fixture in this room.
Example: 50cm

If you have high ceilings, a slightly larger chandelier would work better for your space. We recommend increasing the diameter you get from the calculation.

If the room is very narrow, it is better to use 2 points of light.

(Room Length (m) + Room Width (m)) x 7.5 = Fixture Width or Diameter (cm) If your light will be centred on a seating area and not the entire room, use the approximate length and width dimensions of that area instead of the entire space.

If you plan on placing the light fixture over your dining table, choose a lamp whose diameter is half the length of the table. In other words, if the table is 150cm long, the lamp should be about 70cm to 75cm. For a banquet-style table or an especially long dining room table, two lamps work better than one.

Height

Now that you have the width/diameter of the fixture, you'll want to choose the vertical dimensions of the fixture (not the height above the ground just yet, but the actual top-to-bottom size of the unit itself).

You can find this number by following the next formula:

Start with the height of the room (floor to ceiling) in m.
Example: 3.5m high

For every 0.3m of space between the floor and ceiling, we will need a chandelier height of 6-7cm.Example: (2.4/0.3) x 6 and (2.4/0.3) x 7 = 48-56cm

This would mean your chandelier should be roughly 48-56 cm top to bottom.

Where you choose to hang the chandelier—and at what length—not only impacts the overall look of your space but also how functional it is. If it's too close to the ceiling, the light won't properly distribute; too low down and it can disrupt traffic flow. You’ll want at least 2m off the floor so that nobody is likely to bump their head.

Under 2.4m ceilings

In bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms with ceilings 2.4m and under, there’s plenty of choice for modern chandelier lights which fit close to the ceiling. We would advise that you allow clearance below the base of the light fitting of at 2.1m, if you have tall family or visitors and to allow for unexpected movement.

In an open foyer or hallway, hang chandeliers or pendants with the bottom at least 15cm higher than the door.

Taller than 3.0m ceilings

For spaces with very tall ceilings, hang the light at 2.4m above the floor (plus an additional 30cm if the room is taller than 3.6m). You can also look to lights that hang in tiers to fill the height well, while also landing low enough to help make the space below feel more intimate.

A chandelier over a dining table has some special considerations. First, it should be low enough to create an intimate atmosphere but still not in anyone's way.

If your ceiling is less than 2.4m high, your dining room chandelier should hang 75-85cm above a table from the tabletop to the bottom of the chandelier and be centred over the table. If your ceiling is higher than 3.0m high, the recommended clearance is 90-100cm inches. And make sure it doesn't extend wider than the table — at least not any portions that are low enough for someone to bump their head.

Lengthwise a chandelier will ideally be one-half to two-thirds the length of your table to create a nice balance of proportions.

More than one Chandelier

To hang more than one chandelier over a table, divide the table width by the number of chandeliers plus one, and use the result as the width or diameter for each chandelier. Install the chandeliers spaced the same distance apart as the width of the chandeliers. For example, if you would like to hang two chandeliers over a table that is 1.8m long (1.8 divided by 2+1), the width of each chandelier would be 0.6m, and they should be hung 60cm from each end of the table.

• If you are hiring an electrician to install your chandelier, save money by unpacking and assembling your chandelier before the electrician arrives. This will save you, depending on the number of pieces to attach, at a minimum one billable hour from your electrician. If you want to try to install it yourself, have a look at our guide of how to fit your new ceiling light in 3 steps 

• Don’t buy a chandelier larger than the width of your table or people will bump into it when getting up (refer to “how big should a chandelier be” question)

• Always consider the weight of a chandelier. Chandeliers weighing more than 50 lbs need to be secured to the house structure, following the electrical regulations.

• Look for LED Chandelier options: they increase efficiency and reliability, which translates into significant energy and cost savings. LEDs run five times cooler than halogen bulbs while spending one fifth the energy. LEDs also outlast other light sources, with a projected lifespan of about 50,000 hours— that's 25 years of use at 5 ½ hours a day.

• Height or (clearance) issues? Instead of a chandelier, use a flush mount, semi-flush mount or recessed fixture. If you have a small room dimension, a mini chandelier would be the best solution if you want this style

• If you have a great view, pick a chandelier with clean lines, that won’t distract from your focal point.

Consider additional features like dimmers, as they can make a chandelier dynamic and adaptable for every occasion. Make sure that your fixture, light bulb and dimmer are all compatible; there are many types of dimmers, so be sure to select the correct one!