The Power of Light

           
Lighting can greatly enhance a space. Considering everyone from a veterinarian to an archaeologist thinks they are also a designer, why am I so frequently asked, 'How far above a dining table should my chandelier be?', 'Is it ok to hang a chandelier somewhere other than a dining room?', 'How big is to big for pendant fixtures and what height off the countertop should they be placed?'

These are all great questions, but knowing the answers to these questions is part of my skill set and talent as a designer. My first recommendation is to work with a designer and allow them to work their magic on the best scale, proportion and style. The alternative, is if you are taking the time to read this blog, then I am going to share a few helpful hints.

1. When placing a chandelier over a dining room table, place 30" above the table for a room that has 8' ceiling heights. For every additional foot of ceiling, raise 3".

2. When determining the size of the chandelier, add the width and length of the room and translate the feet into inches. Ex. 14' + 12' = 26' which makes for a 26" chandelier. Another way is to divide the table width in half to come up with the size of the chandelier.

3. For a bar top, the bottom of the pendant should be 36" from the surface. This allows people to comfortably stand at the bar and not have fixtures in their way.

With the popularity of mixing styles, the most important rule of thumb is SCALE AND PROPORTION. If the fixture is really heavy then you will want it to be smaller than the fixed rule of half the table width. When working with a daintier fixture you can get away with it being larger.

Remember, chandeliers not only look great in dining room, but also make a great visual surprise in other rooms of your home.