Choosing the Right Chandelier: 18 Contemporary Ideas to Inspire

From extravagant and loud to delicate and understated, chandeliers have long been one of the most tasteful solutions for lighting a room. They can be hung in nearly any room in the home so long as they are the right size and complement existing décor. If you’re looking for a lighting source that is effective in both form and function, adding a chandelier to your home may give you the effortless look you’ve been craving.

Chandeliers: Careful About Light

As you choose your chandelier, keep in mind that these light fixtures are designed to provide only a soft, ambient light. In other words, you’ll likely need additional lighting sources to adequately light the room. However, if you choose a chandelier that is large or complex in design, the rest of your light fixtures will need to be simple – such as small table lamps. Remember that like too much color or too many conflicting patterns, too much light can also be distracting and unbecoming.

Chandeliers: Size Matters

Secondly, consider size. Chandeliers come in all sorts of sizes – from gigantic shimmering centerpieces to tiny pendant chandeliers, you have plenty of options to choose from. When selecting the circumference of a chandelier for a particular room in your home, you can use this basic formula: Find the area of your room in feet. Add the two numbers together and change “feet” to “inches.” For example, a room that is 12 X 12 would need a chandelier that is about 24 inches in diameter.

Chandeliers: Match Your Style

Lastly, but certainly not least, you will need to choose the style. Ensure that the chandelier you choose matches other fixtures in your room. For example, if you have chrome finished light switch plates and door knobs, look for a chrome finished chandelier – not a gold plated fixture that is liable to clash. Next, ensure your chandelier complements the overarching theme. If you have a nautical themed room, you may want to consider wood or wrought iron. No matter what, remember that the chandelier you choose, regardless of how simple, will be making a statement.