Why Is It Important to Choose The Right Size Dining Room Chandelier?
“The details are not the details, they make the design.”
– Charles Eames
Spoken like a true master of design, famous furniture and lighting designer, Charles Eames, spoke a universal truth when contemplating the importance of paying attention to the details when designing.
There is no more important detail when designing your dining room than selecting the right size chandelier, and hanging it at the appropriate height. A chandelier that is too small, or hung too high will be the first thing guests will notice when they enter your dining room.
Choosing the correct size for your dining room chandelier it pulls together all of the other elements in your space. The right size chandelier complements the room’s dimensions, and visually enhances the dining table, room size, and the ceiling height.
In this post we’ve put together quick and easy infographics to walk you through how to select and hang your dining room light fixture. By the end of this post, you’ll know what size light fixture you need, and how high to hang it for your specific room.
On the hunt for the perfect dining room light fixture? Check out our post, “50 Stunning Dining Room Light Fixtures” for a designer-curated selection of affordable, gorgeous light fixtures from traditional to modern.
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How to Choose the Right Chandelier Size
Measure the Room For Chandelier Diameter
A quick and easy trick to determine your chandelier size is to measure the length and width of your room in feet, then add those measurements together. Convert that measurement from feet to inches, and that will be the ideal size of your chandelier diameter in proportion to your room size.
For example, if your room is 14 ft. wide by 16 ft. long, (14 +16 = 30), then your chandelier size is generally around 30 inches in diameter. Not so bad, so far, right?
Now let’s refine our measurements a little more. We have the general size that’s right for the room, but what about your dining table? Here’s how to find the correct size chandelier size to pair seamlessly with your dining room table.
Related Article: “12 Designer Tested Tips For A Stunning Dining Room”
Light Fixture Length To Table Length
Your light fixture and your dining table are an inseparable pair that need to work well together to make your dining room look cohesive and stylish.
You’ve got a general guideline for your light fixture size from the dimensions of your room, you can go a step further by factoring in your dining table dimensions.
The official rule of thumb is that your chandelier or pendant is one-half to two-third the length your table. This will tell you the smallest measurement your light fixture can be without being too minimal for the space, but also give you a range if you’d like to make your light fixture a statement piece and go bigger.
A quick and easy rule is that at its largest dimension, your dining room light fixture length should be at least 12 inches less than than the length of your dining table.
Two Important Table Measurements To Guide Your Light Fixture Size
There are two measurements that come into play based on the style of your chandelier.
- If you have a round light fixture, you will need to focus on the width of the table. For example, let’s say your dining table is 36 inches wide. If you subtract 12 inches, your ideal dining room chandelier diameter will be 24 inches.
- If you have a linear chandelier or pendant, you will want to focus on the length of your table to determine the correct size for your light fixture. For example, if your table is 7 feet long (84 inches) the light fixture should be 72 inches long at most.
*Designer Disclaimer – Any designer will tell you that rules are meant to be broken . Great design always has a balance of traditional rules and a surprise moment. If you want to choose a larger chandelier for visual impact than what these “rules” suggest then by all means go for it!
Related Article: “How Lighting Affects Your Paint Color And How To Fix It.”
How To Hang Your Dining Room Chandelier
Light Fixture Height Over Dining Table
When hanging your dining room light fixture, you will have to take into account your dining room table. Most dining tables are between 28 – 30 inches high.
No one wants to have to maneuver around a light fixture to have a conversation across the table, nor do they want to struggle to see what’s on their plate.
The general rule is to hang your dining room light fixture 30 – 36 inches above the dining table. This height ensures that the fixture won’t block your guests view across the table, and leave plenty of room for beautiful centerpieces. It also won’t be so high that the fixture won’t illuminate the table properly.
If you have to move your table out of the way to hang your chandelier, this means that your light fixture will be hung between 60 – 66 inches above the floor.
Fixture Height To Ceiling Height
Another important factor in determining the right chandelier size is the overall height of the fixture.
Now that you have the appropriate diameter for your chandelier, you’ll also want to think about the overall fixture height to finish the look in proportion to how high your ceiling is.
The fixture height will help your chandelier or pendant look proportional to the room and ensure that the size of the fixture isn’t too small, or so big that it feels cramped in the space.
So what is overall fixture height? When we talk about overall fixture height, we are referencing the measurement from the very bottom of the chandelier, to where the top of the chandelier meets either the hanging chain, cord, or ceiling canopy. The overall fixture height is the body of the chandelier, not including the chain or cord.
If you have standard 8 foot ceilings, an overall fixture height of 16 – 24 inches will fit, but lean towards the lower end of the scale so you don’t feel like you have to duck to see across the table.
The higher your ceiling is, the taller your chandelier can be. If you have 9 ft. ceilings, your overall light fixture height can be between 18″ -27″ tall.
If your ceiling is 10 ft. high, you can have an even taller chandelier with an overall height of 20″ – 30″. For each foot of ceiling height, you can 2″ – 3″ to your overall fixture height.
Hanging Height by Ceiling Height
Alright, we’re doing good! We’ve got the diameter/length of your chandelier depending on if you have a round or linear fixture, and we’ve got the overall height. Now how high do you hang it?
The standard rule for 8 foot ceilings is to hang your fixture 30 – 36 inches above the table top. If your ceilings are higher than 8 feet, raise your light fixture 2-3 inches higher to look in proportion to your ceiling height. This adjustment ensures that your light fixture isn’t too close to the ceiling, or too low in the room that it blocks your guests view across the table.
These rules are guidelines, and not an exact science, so be sure to try variations on height until it fits the space. If you are able, have a friend stand across the room and play with different heights until it feels right.
Conclusion
The importance of choosing the right size dining room chandelier and hanging it correctly is crucial to making your space look cohesive and sophisticated. Create an atmosphere that resonates with your style and enhances your dining experience by following these simple steps to ensure a perfect fit.
A well-proportioned chandelier harmonizes with the room’s dimensions, the dining table, and the ceiling height, making it an integral part of the overall design. Regardless of the fixture’s style, the chandelier sets the tone, becoming a focal point that draws eyes and sparks conversations. It’s a symbol of thoughtful design, and when done right, it transforms an ordinary dining room into a captivating and inviting space, leaving a lasting impression on all who gather around it. So, when you embark on your chandelier selection and installation, remember that it’s not just about your chandelier’s style, but about making the whole room look proportional, intentional, and thought through so your unique design style shines.
