Dining room chandeliers add function and beauty to your space. They make your dining table feel inviting and add a touch of your personality to the room. But to find the perfect fixture, you’ll have to do more than just pick out the first thing that catches your eye. It’s important to consider not only the style, but the light output and, most importantly, the size.
In this guide, we’ll cover how to determine the size of a dining room chandelier, how low a chandelier should hang in a dining room and other important questions to help you find the right fixture for your home.
When choosing a chandelier, there are several things that you need to consider, from the height to the light output, style and size.
Before you even start looking at chandeliers, consider what size you’ll need. Some chandeliers are better suited for taller or shorter ceilings.
How low should a dining room chandelier hang?
These are the standards recommended by the lighting industry, but you may find that you have a different preference. While you generally don’t want to go any lower if you have an 8-foot ceiling, you may find that the standard for taller ceilings doesn’t provide adequate lighting for your table.
Chandeliers are often viewed purely as a design feature, but they do play an important role in the room’s lighting. Keep this in mind when considering the height of your light fixture.
Along with height, you need to consider the light output of the chandelier. The light fixtures in your dining room should be bright enough to see what you’re eating, but not so bright that the food looks washed out.
How many lumens are appropriate for dining room chandeliers?
If possible, choose dimmable lights so that you have more control over the brightness. If the conversation carries on after dinner, you’ll have the option to dim the lights for a more welcoming ambiance.
We’ve already covered the optimal height for a chandelier, but what about width or overall size? How wide should a dining chandelier be? And can a dining room chandelier be too big?
Yes, a chandelier can be too big for a dining room. Generally, the diameter of a dining room chandelier should be:
It’s important to make sure that the chandelier isn’t too big or small for the space. If a light fixture is too big, guests may feel uncomfortable sitting at the table. On the other hand, large fixtures in small spaces throw off balance, so it’s important to keep your proportions in check.
Alternatively, a chandelier that’s too narrow or small may not provide adequate lighting for the room.
The chandelier’s style is another vital thing to consider. There are a variety of styles to choose from, so find one that matches the rest of your home’s décor.
Along with finishes, consider the shape of the chandelier. Pendant lighting works well for long, narrow tables or islands used for dining. Round chandeliers work well with any table, especially round tables. You can find other unique shapes as well, but consider whether they will complement your dining table and the overall style of your home.
Some of the most popular styles and shapes include:
These are just a few of the many styles of chandeliers out there. Consider your options carefully. If you’re looking for something unique or trendy, make sure that it’s a style you truly love and will be happy to look at in the years to come.
So far, we’ve covered the appropriate height and diameter for a dining room chandelier, but how do you know the right size for your dining room? Taking measurements will allow you to use the size standards above to find a chandelier that fits well in your space.
How do you size a dining room chandelier? What’s the best way to take measurements?
Start with your table.
Measure your dining room table’s width, height and length. These measurements will help you determine the ideal diameter of your chandelier.
Measure the room.
How big is your dining room? The size of the space will also determine the width of your chandelier. Here are some general rules for sizing a chandelier based on the size of your dining room.
• Under 90 square feet: Less than 19”
• 90-225 square feet: 20-29"
• 225-400+ square feet: 30”+
Consider your ceiling height.
Don’t forget to keep your ceiling height in mind, as this will affect the chandelier's chain length. For low ceilings, a large chandelier may feel out of place, even if you have a large table.
When sizing a chandelier, the goal is to make sure that the space feels balanced and comfortable. While the size of your table is essential, you still need to consider the overall size of the room.
Taking measurements is the surefire way to ensure that your chandelier looks great in your space. However, you can also find shopping apps with augmented reality features that allow you to visualize how it will look in your room. Some apps are relatively accurate when it comes to scaling their products, but make sure that you take measurements just to confirm that it will fit in your space.
If you want to hang two or more chandeliers over a dining room table, divide the width of the table by the number of chandeliers you want to hang. Use this figure as the diameter for each chandelier.
When placing your light fixtures, the distance between them should be the same width as the chandeliers.
You know what size chandelier will work best for your space, but where should you hang it? Typically, chandeliers are hung at the center of the room, but it all depends on the layout of the room.
Ideally, a chandelier should be at least four feet from adjacent walls. However, to create a sense of balance and to make the space more welcoming, consider placing the chandelier at the center of the table. Center placement will ensure there’s adequate lighting when you’re eating and entertaining guests.
If you’re installing a chandelier for the first time, you have more control over the placement of the electrical box. But what if you’re updating an existing fixture and the box isn’t in an ideal location?
Depending on what type of ceiling you have, you may be able to hang a swag hook to suspend the cord and move the fixture to the center of the table. Using a swag hook will eliminate the need to move the junction box, which requires an electrician and ceiling renovation work.
Another option is to use a hide-a-cord solution to extend the cord to your desired position. Just as the name suggests, these products conceal cords to eliminate eyesores.
Finding the perfect chandelier for your dining room will take some time and effort. However, it’s important to remember that this is an investment in your home. The right fixture will make your space feel inviting and warm, making it more enjoyable to entertain and share family meals. Measure your space and choose a style that will complement the rest of your home.
