How to Size Your Chandelier

The sparkle and dazzle of a well-placed chandelier defines and enhances the mood of any room. A chandelier that is too large can easily overpower a room and its inhabitants; one that is too small becomes insignificant and decreases the perceived value of the entire space. By following a few interior design guidelines for choosing the correct size, you will maximize the impact of the fixture. Room size affects chandelier size, but the type of space also affects the size. Keep in mind that with the sleek shapes and sizes of LED fixtures, these guidelines may be altered according to the fixture’s design.

3 Steps to Size a Dining Room Chandelier

Our step-by-step guide will help you determine the general sizing and placement of a chandelier for your dining room, kitchen, or breakfast nook based on the size of your room, living space, or your furniture. You can also use these measurements in other areas of your home, some with special considerations.

Step 1. Measure Room Length and Width to Determine Chandelier Width
Step 2. Measure Ceiling Height to Determine Height
Step 3. Measure Ceiling to Table to Determine Chain Length

Step 1. Determine Chandelier Width
– Measure the length and the width of the room
– Add the two measurements
– Convert the measurement unit from feet to inches

The converted sum is your chandelier’s ideal width (or diameter). For example, if your dining room is 10′ x 18′, a chandelier with a 28″ diameter or width is the best fit for your space. This applies regardless of the shape of the chandelier. However, for round or rectangular fixtures, the length should be at least one-half, but not more than two-thirds the length of your table.

Sizing By Table Size

To determine the width of your chandelier by the size of your table, assuming you have an open floor plan or want to make the chandelier the centerpiece of the room, we recommend that the width or diameter of the chandelier should be one-half to two-thirds the width of the table. The width of the chandelier should be one foot less than the width of the table, to ensure six inches of clearance on either side of the table.

Step 2. Determine Chandelier Height

Allow 2 to 3 inches of chandelier length per foot of wall height. For example, a dining room with 10-foot ceilings, 16 feet wide and 18 feet long, can accommodate a chandelier 34 inches in diameter and 20 to 30 inches in length. This calculation is particularly well-suited to a chandelier hanging in the center of the room and over the major piece of furniture or focal point, as in a dining room.

Please note: The above calculations assume you have a ceiling height proportional to the room size. Therefore, if you have a large room and a low ceiling, such as an open floor plan, or a high ceiling and a small room, such as a foyer, this may not apply.

Step 3. Determine Chain Length

If your ceiling is less than eight feet high, your dining room chandelier should hang 30″ to 34″ from the tabletop to the bottom of the chandelier and be centered over the table. The recommended clearance is 36 to 40 inches if your ceiling is above eight feet high.

– Measure the ceiling to the tabletop in inches = _____
– Minus the recommended installation height = 32” (8’ or less ceiling) or 38” (>8’ ceiling)
– Minus the chandelier height determined in Step 2 above = _____
– Chain length = _______

Chandelier Placement by Room

If you are hanging a chandelier in another room of your house, it is recommended that there is at least seven feet of clearance from the floor to the bottom of the chandelier. With that simple rule in mind, a chandelier can be hung in any room or corner of your home, from a finished basement to a walk-in closet. Here are some other placement guidelines by room to consider, along with the recommended installation height:

Open floor plan

Centered over the living space, such as the living room set or over the coffee table, dining room set, or kitchen island. Use the approximate measurement of the space with the steps above to determine the correct diameter of the fixture.

Living Room

Centered in the room or over the coffee table. The recommended clearance of seven feet applies regardless of whether there is a coffee table. The most essential consideration in this area is whether the chandelier will be the primary light source.

Bathroom

Centered over the tub, with at least eight feet of clearance from the edge of the tub to the ceiling. Sizing can be determined by taking one-third the length of the tub. For safety reasons, we recommend using non-electrified chandeliers or wall sconces if placed over the tub and the ceiling height does not allow for an eight-foot clearance. Centered in the room, at least three feet away from the tub.

Long Hallways

Centered in the middle of the hallway, spaced eight to ten feet apart, the chandelier must have a minimum seven-foot clearance from floor to bottom. For low ceilings, we recommend flush-mount chandeliers. Chandelier size is determined by the width of the hallway; each foot equals 2-2.5 inches in diameter. For example, if your hallway is five feet wide, the chandelier diameter would be 10-12 inches.

Standard Ceiling Foyer or Entryway

Centered over the foyer table or in the middle of the room. The size of the room or the table can determine sizing. The most important concern in this area is the space’s lighting, as this is where your guest’s first impressions are made. You can go as dramatic or as bright as you desire. We recommend using matching wall sconces on either side of the foyer table as accents.

Two-Story Foyer with Staircase

Choose a two—or three-tier chandelier to provide the best visual results. Regarding placement, it is important to acknowledge that there is no perfect answer as so many homes are different in this area, and there are many different tastes that will lead to different effects.

However, some general guidelines include hanging the chandelier slightly lower than or at the top of the staircase. In other words, if you were at the top of the staircase, the top of the chandelier would be at eye level. Many designers advocate for independent placement to make the fixture the focal point or placing the chandelier in relation to another architectural feature, such as tall windows or vaulted ceilings, to enhance the space as a whole.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with a Just Lights lighting consultant with any questions. Contact Us >