by Leann Zotis

Created on: June 12, 2009

The choice of a chandelier as a decorating feature in a room is never one to be taken lightly. Chandeliers are often pricey purchases and not likely to be replaced any time soon. Making a good first choice is critical.

There are some standard suggestions for choosing a chandelier that will correspond appropriately to the size of room where it will be hung. A simple guideline, one that will work well for you in all situations, is to add the width of the room and the length of the room together. The sum of these two numbers will equal the diameter in inches you should strive to achieve. For example, if your room is 14 feet x 18 feet, the desired diameter of your chandelier would be 32 inches.

Certain furnishings in the room can alter your decision to go larger or smaller than the basic calculation on the chandelier. Also, ceiling height will play a role in determining the proper size. For rooms with high ceilings, or if the chandelier is going in the two-story foyer, it makes sense to add a couple of inches to the calculation. Conversely, for rooms with low ceilings, a smaller chandelier may be in order.

A good rule of thumb regarding how low the chandelier should hang down is to consider leaving 6-1/2 feet between the bottom of the chandelier and the floor. This will allow ample room for most people to pass under without being forced to duck their heads.

Many people choose a chandelier to hang over a dining room table. In this case, it's common to allow between 32 and 34 inches of clearance between the bottom of the chandelier and the tabletop. Increase the amount of clearance if you expect to display a large centerpiece on the table.

Chandeliers should never be wider than the table over which they will hang. Common wisdom suggests that the chandelier width be equal to half the width of the table or that the diameter of the chandelier be one to two feet narrower than the table.

Take care not to flood your room with an excessive amount of light. The total wattage of all bulbs in the chandelier when lit should be somewhere between 200 watts and 400 watts. Less than 200 watts will appear dim and more than 400 watts are likely to blind your dinner guests.

In the end, the choice of a chandelier is a very personal one. All the suggestions and proper etiquette in the world will be meaningless if you are not happy with the end result. Fortunately, chandeliers are such an elegant lighting option with wide popular appeal that you will have no trouble finding one to suit your needs.

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