Size Matters: Dining Room Chandelier

Part of effective design and decorating is the mastery of proportion. Installing large chandeliers in tiny spaces is a great way to overwhelm rooms and destroy the balance of the decor. It is also a quick way to overspend a home improvement budget.

Proportion can be especially tricky when selecting small crystal chandeliers or a dining room chandelier. Because the fixture will likely hang as a centerpiece above the dinner table, attention must be paid to the distance between the unit and the table, as well as head clearance for guests as they approach and leave the table.

There are a number of measuring tools, but a simple rule of thumb for determining the appropriate fixture width is to add the foot measurement of the room and use that number, in inches, as the guide. For example, suppose you are shopping small chandeliers for a breakfast nook to allow crystal lighting. Assuming the dimensions of the room are 8'x8', you can begin looking for units that measure 16 inches across.

When determining the appropriate height for a dining room chandelier, add 30 inches to the table height and subtract that number from the ceiling height. That figure, minus a few inches for the ceiling hookup, represents how much space you'll have for hanging a fixture.

Of course, the final determination on lighting fixture size is how the unit looks and functions in a room. Some large chandeliers might fall in line with what you calculated, but still swallow up the scenery. It's up to you to adjust the size up or down, depending on how much cabinetry or furniture is in the room.

Word of caution: For larger, heavier units, consult with a lighting installation expert for advice on whether special reinforcement is needed in the ceiling to support the fixture.

No need to shy away the idea of a chandelier just because space is limited. A number of exquisite small chandeliers are available for any size space at Kingdomlightingusa.com.