When selecting a chandelier for your area, the most important aspect you need to consider is your ceiling height. Your ceiling height will decide what size chandelier you can have in the area in most cases except for over tables, benches & beds in which case you can afford to drop the chandelier lower as no one will be walking underneath it. We have listed ceiling heights below as a guideline to assist you in choosing a suitable size chandelier for your height ceiling.
HOW TO MATCH CHANDELIERS TO YOUR STYLE
2.4m (Lowest Standard Ceiling) -
This allows you a maximum drop of 30cm-40cm from your ceiling which will give you a 210 -200cm clearance from the ground up.
2.7m (Slightly Raised Ceiling) -
This allows you a maximum drop of 60cm-70cm from your ceiling which will give you a 210cm-200cm clearance from the ground up.
3.0m (Raised Ceilings) -
This allows you a maximum drop of 90cm-100cm from your ceiling which will give you a 210cm-200cm clearance from the ground up.
3.2m (Raised and Vintage Buildings)
This allows you a maximum drop of 110cm-120cm from your ceiling which will give you a 210cm-200cm clearance from the ground up.
Placing a feature chandelier over a Dining Table or Kitchen Island Bench is to create a great wow factor without losing any functionality.
DINING TABLE & KITCHEN BENCH
When you install a chandelier over a table or bench it should always have the perfect balance between the ceiling and the bench / table top.
As an example, if you have 2.4m ceilings and your table height is 90cm off the ground, it will leave you with a space of 150cm from the top of the table to the ceiling, simply divide that in half (75cm) which gives you the appropriate size and total hanging height for the chandelier.
Deciding between pendants over your island or a bar light can be difficult. The best thing to consider is how open the area is, and how much of an impact you wish to make. For Island benches under 2.5M in length, 2 pendants between 30-50cm in width is ideal. For benches longer than 3M, pendants in sets of 3 between 20-30cm in width are the most common.
However, if you’re after a little more wow factor; then a crystal bar light may be the choice for you! Bar lights 120cm-150cm in length are most suitable for benches 3M and over, whereas bar lights between 80cm-100cm are ideal for benches 2.5M or shorter.
ROOM SIZE
Width of your chandelier always comes down to personal taste, however we suggest not to be too conservative in the width. Always remember crystal chandeliers were not made to be conservative or to simply blend into an environment.
As an example, if your area is approx 5m x 6m with 3m ceilings, a suitable size chandelier might have a width of 70cm to 100cm and a height of 60cm to 90cm. And if your area is approx 3m x 4m with 2.4m ceilings, a suitable chandelier width might be 40cm to 65cm and a flush mount chandelier is advisable unless it will be hanging over a table or bed.
There are also instances where you may want to consider 2 chandeliers in one space. Examples of this would be rooms with larger dimensions where putting in one chandelier of the correct specifications may draw too much attention to one area. In situations like these you may decide to choose 2 chandeliers of the same size and install them equal distance apart. This creates balance and the same effect as having one singular chandelier.
For instance if you had a room approx 9m x 8m, a suitable size for a single chandelier would be approx 2.5m in width. A chandelier of this size has the potential to be overwhelming. Thus you could select 2 chandeliers approx 80cm-100cm each installed equal distance apart. This a sense of symmetry and a less visually abrasive look.
VOID / STAIRCASE & ENTRANCE AREAS
If you are looking for a chandelier as a feature in an Open Void, Double Story Entrance or Staircase area you need to make sure you choose something of appropriate size as these areas are quick to swallow up light fittings, so in these scenarios, the bigger the better!
Open Void/Entrance Voids - Open Void Area's generally consist of a two story open area which in some cases have staircases on either side. This environment is great for crystal chandeliers as there are no obstacles to get in the way of you choosing something that will make a generous feature that your area deserves. Void chandeliers as a rule should be approx 1/4 - 1/2 of the area's width. So if your void is 4m x 5xm in width, then you may select a chandelier between 1.5-2m in width.
The ideal position for the bottom crystal on your chandelier to hang is around 20cm above the second floor level so it creates impact from upstairs as well as downstairs.