How high should I hang my chandelier above my bed?

Chandeliers in bedrooms are the ultimate accessory for creating a luxurious relaxing atmosphere. The mood of a bedroom with a dimly lit chandelier says it is time to unwind. For low ceilings in master bedrooms that are 8’ and lower we highly recommend looking at flush mount ceiling fixtures or low profile ceiling fixtures. 9’ bedroom ceilings can accept a chandelier. If you are not walking directly under the chandelier then you can hang a chandelier 5 ½’ to 6’ above the floor. This way you will not hit your head if you sit up in bed!

How low should a chandelier hang from a 9 foot ceiling?

If we start at our rule of thumb which is 30” above the table on an 8’ ceiling and add 3” for each additional foot, then 33”

How wide should a chandelier be?

Start with the rule of thirds and divide your table by ⅓ to get the smallest size chandelier that would work. If you want to go a bit larger then take ½ the size of your table. For rectangular tables you can go slightly larger for more impact.

What size chandelier should I hang over my nightstands?

Hanging fixtures over nightstands not only clears up the valuable real estate on your nightstand but also creates a dramatic and cozy way to illuminate your bedroom. Typically chandeliers are too large to hang over a nightstand and you might want to look at decorative pendants instead. However, the general rule is the same as most tables, look at chandeliers that are ⅓ to ½ the size of your nightstand diameter. Hanging height for chandeliers or pendants over a nightstand is typically done at 24” above the nightstand.

What size chandeliers should I use when installing two chandeliers over a kitchen island or long table?

Contemporary homes will often install many chandeliers or pendants over a kitchen island and sometimes over a very long dining table. A good place to start is to work with the rule of thirds. However, in this case we want to balance out the fixtures with the negative space. We have developed two formulas for how wide a chandelier should be in this situation. Formula 1: Divide the length by 5 to calculate the three negative space values along with sizes for the chandeliers. For example: A 10’ long kitchen island or dining table divided by 5, gives you equal parts of negative space at 2’ along with 24” wide chandeliers. This is a great rule of thumb to start with. Formula 2: Divide the overall length by 2, and then divide by 2 again. For a 10’ long table you would have 5’ (60”) then divided by 2 again to equal 30” fixtures. The distance between the fixtures should equal the diameter of each piece. Conclusion: Pick fixtures that are either 24” or 30” for a 10’ wide table and make sure to keep 24” or 30” between the chandeliers once installed.

Q: How do I determine the right size and placement of a chandelier?

The rules of Chandelier Size and Hanging vary by room and can be difficult to grasp. There are two important measurements to take into consideration when choosing the correct chandelier size: height and diameter.

Use the steps below to take the guesswork out of Chandelier Size and Hanging

Entryway 

Chandelier Size and Hanging Guide

Your entryway is your guest’s first impression of your home, and the right lighting and Chandelier Size & Hanging play a significant role in that impression.

The chandelier selected will need to reflect your home’s design aesthetic. It must be the right size for the space; too small and it will look dwarfed, while a too-big chandelier can overpower a room.

Height:

• Higher ceilings require a taller
• The rule of thumb is to accommodate 2.5-3 inches of chandelier height for each foot of ceiling height.
• A standard 8-foot ceiling requires a chandelier that is 20-24 inches in height.
• If your ceilings are taller than that, add 2 inches for every foot over 8 feet to that number

Diameter:

• To figure out the diameter, add the height and the width of the room together.
• Treat that sum as inches, and you have the suggested diameter of the chandelier for that space.
• For example, if the room is 20 by 18 feet, the sum is 38 feet. The approximate diameter of a chandelier that would work well in that area is 38 inches.

 

Dining Room and Kitchen Table Chandelier Size and Hanging Guide

In a dining room, it is key to measure accurately to ensure perfect placement of the right-size light.

Size (Height and Diameter)

• Measure the length and width of your dining room in feet, add those two numbers together and use that sum in inches.
• For example, if a dining room measures 10′ x 14′, it would be 10 + 14 = 24. You’ll want to look for a 24-inch diameter chandelier.
• If the room needs a big statement add 6 or 8 additional inches
• A chandelier hung above a table should have a diameter of 1-foot narrower than the table’s width.

 Determine the placement over a table

• Chandeliers should be centered over the dining table. (If you are placing two smaller chandeliers, center the two of them).
• If your ceilings are higher than 8 feet, add about three inches to the hanging height per foot.
• For example, if your ceiling is 10 feet tall, your lighting fixture should be hung 36-40 inches over the table.

Determine the placement within the room

• Measure the height of your dining room.
• For a ceiling that’s 8 feet high, the bottom of the fixture should be 60 inches from the floor. If the piece is extremely detailed you might want to move it up to 65 inches from the floor.
• For ceilings taller than 8 feet, add 2 inches for every foot over.

Living Room 

Chandelier Size and Hanging Guide

For the best lighting, you will want to place the chandelier in the center of the living space, usually over the coffee table

• Hang the chandelier at least 7 feet from the floor to avoid people bumping into it. 

Bathroom 

Chandelier Size & Hanging Guide

Adding a chandelier to your bathroom adds a touch of glamour and sets the tone for a relaxing bath.

• When hanging the chandelier over the tub, allow for 8 feet of clearance above the highest edge of the tub. (You will be climbing in and out of the tub, so you want to give yourself extra room.)
• If there is not enough clearance above your tub, or you prefer a different location, hang the chandelier at least 3 feet from the tub,  at a height suited to your space (see below photo).

 Over Islands 

Chandelier Size and Hanging Guide

Hang the light fixture(s) 30-34 inches above the island

A few more sites to help you with…..

Chandelier Size and Hanging

http://www.wayfair.com/ideas-and-advice/chandelier-size-and-placement-guide-S4912.html

Source http://www.housebeautiful.com/home-remodeling/interior-designers/q-and-a/a1941/how-to-hang-a-chandelier/

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Hanging Photos: The How To’s