Scale consideration when choosing chandeliers is very important on several different levels. The most important is: does the chandelier fit the scale of the room? No less important is the scale of the chandelier’s details – shades, crystals, beads, and candles.
Scale consideration when choosing chandeliers
Scale consideration is really a matter of common sense. To avoid any problems while shopping for chandeliers, do not rely on your scale memory. Before you start shopping, determine how large a chandelier you want. One way to determine a chandelier size needed is with tape measure or yardstick and a partner. Position yourself into the room about where you want the chandelier to be placed.
Checking size of a chandelier
Using your hands, try to demonstrate the height of the chandelier you think might be right-upper hand with palm facing down, a lower hand with palm facing up. Ask your partner to stand across the room and determine if that size of chandelier would work. If he/she determines it does, have him/her measure the space between your hands. This is by no means a foolproof method of chandeliers size determination, but it will give you some parameters to begin to narrow the possibilities of chandeliers.
Broad chandeliers, which are wider than they are high, work well in a large room with low ceilings. If you’re using it in a dining room proceed with caution. Chandeliers that have a much larger than usual diameter will probably work better over a large square or round table than over a rectangular one. High, narrow chandeliers are more forgiving. But make sure that the room has enough height to accommodate this type of chandeliers.
When placing chandeliers over the dining table always remember that the bottom of the chandelier has to be high enough for diners to see across the table without visual obstruction or glare from the chandelier. The lowest point of the chandelier should be 36″ above and centered with the table surface.
Once you determine the size of your chandelier, the second issue to consider is the visual space different chandeliers take. The apparent size of chandeliers is not just a function of the chandeliers actual measurements; it is also about chandeliers density. For example, a delicate wrought iron chandelier may have a large diameter, but they do not take up much visual space. Wrought iron chandelier is a lighting fixture better described by lines than by volume. You can see right through wrought iron chandeliers.
On the other hand, a small crystal chandelier taking more visual space than its actual size. When you walk into a room, you can’t miss a crystal chandelier. If a beaded crystal chandelier is also considerable in size, it may be more than you bargained for, you may need to diminish other decorative elements in the room.