Chandeliers are designed to float in a room as an important part of the decor. Too large and this fixture will overpower the space. Too small and it will look out of place.

To make sure your chandelier is the right size for the room in which it will hang, consider the following questions:

1. How high is your ceiling? Taller ceilings demand larger fixtures.

2. What is the size and shape of your table or island? The chandelier should complement, not overpower, anything you plan to suspend it over.

3. How big is the room you are trying to illuminate? Again, be sure the chandelier is not too big or too small for the room.

4. What is the form and design of the chandelier? Light, airy fixtures tend to look larger.

A Calculation That Works

To determine the proper size chandelier for the foyer add the width and length together (in feet) to get the approximate diameter in inches. For example if your foyer is 12' by 16', add 12 plus 16 to get 28. The proper size chandelier would then have a 28" diameter. This works for any room. Make sure the bottom of the fixture does not hang more than 7' from the floor. If windows are present, center the fixture in the window so it can be seen from outside.

“Placing a chandelier that is too small in a space is likely the biggest mistake because it’s very noticeable,” says Joe Rey-Barreau, educational consultant for the American Lighting Association (ALA) and assistant professor of interior design at the University of Kentucky. “Great designers, therefore, tend to make their decisions on fixtures that may appear slightly larger than might be appropriate. It’s generally always best to make the mistake on a fixture being too big than too small.”

The right fixture in your foyer will create a welcoming atmosphere while providing you with the general light you need to greet guests and assure a safe passage into your home.

Tips

1. When determining whether to hang a flush, semi-flush, or multi-tiered chandelier in your foyer, we remind you that the bottom of the fixture should be at least 7’ from the floor.

2. For two-story foyers, if there is a window above the front door, center the chandelier so it can be seen from outside.

3. If your foyer is extra-large, you may also want to add sconces. Sconces should be installed 60" from the floor and 6’-8’ apart.

1STOPLighting carries chandeliers in numerous styles and materials. You'll find traditional, transitional and contemporary chandeliers in wrought iron, bronze, brass and crystal. Along with finding a chandelier perfect for your living or dining room, you can sort through our collection to find a fixture for your foyer and island or billiard table. There are over 200,000 lighting products, an easy-to-navigate site, and a robust search engine.