Chandeliers are ubiquitous in contemporary design. Many of us do not realize just how prevalent they are due to the changes they have undergone since their original debut. Chandeliers have been used as a practical lighting solution since medieval times, when they were essentially a wooden cross containing nails that allowed candles to be secured to the edges. The fixture would then be raised to a reasonable height by a chain, which was secured to a hook on the wall.

Since nocturnal lighting was very expensive in those days, chandeliers quickly because a symbol of status and wealth. The original, practical design quickly gave way to surprisingly ornate and complex creations in the 15th century. Since then, history has seen innumerable variations of chandeliers throughout the ages. In fact, when we hear the word “chandelier” our minds generally conjure up memories of these incredible feats of artistic brilliance. We think of the magnificent fixtures we have seen adorning grand ballrooms and hotels, which are a throwback to the elegant designs that continued to develop into the 18th and 19th centuries.

But those centuries saw the climax of chandelier design come and go. As gas and electric lighting became more prevalent, these candle, crystal and glass behemoths became comparably inefficient. In regard to those specific designs, not much has changed in the 20th and 21st centuries. When decorating your interior with chandeliers, you simply must keep in mind that the large, expensive, ornate fixture you are purchasing will be used primarily to improve the aesthetics of the room. The vast majority of the time, if not always, you will have to bolster the chandelier with other light sources to provide enough ambient light. Some of the most ornate chandeliers are designed primarily for decorative purposes and may actually provide little or no usable illumination. That being said, it is still worth the expense to have one of those incredibly ornate chandeliers, because it will absolutely improve your decor enough to make it worthwhile.

But as mentioned before, this type of fixture is not your only option. In fact, if you are the average homeowner, you will not even want to consider a chandelier of this magnitude. Modern chandeliers offer an incredible array of smaller designs that are both beautiful and practical. A chandelier with four or five covered lights is akin to the original medieval chandeliers, but improved to both look better and provide more light, creating the perfect accessory for your dining room table. Modern production methods allow imitation of the Old World charm of historic chandelier designs, while updating them so that they can be integrated into the contemporary home for a reasonable price.

Pendant designs have also become wildly popular, as they save space and provide adequate lighting for most environments. Pendant chandeliers are just as beautiful and can still add the special touch that only chandeliers can offer; but they are more compact, less intrusive, and you can place many of them in different areas of your house. The advent of these smaller fixtures allows interior designers to use chandeliers to complement and supplement a home’s decor rather than dominate it.

Thus, the historic trend towards larger and more ornate chandeliers has somewhat reversed in modern times, to allow for a more practical addition to the contemporary home. This is good news for the consumer, who now has the flexibility to choose from a wide variety of sizes and designs which can be more easily adapted to the average home decor. There are many factors that one should consider when choosing chandeliers, but the increased number of options certainly makes it easier to integrate this classic fixture into your modern home.

This article was provided by Chandelier Warehouse. Chandelier Warehouse specializes in chandelier, pendant light, island lights, bath vanities, wall sconces, and light fixtures of all sorts. Chandelier Warehouse offers the best price you’ll find anywhere for high-quality lighting fixtures and the best customer service in the industry.