– For Double Height Ceiling (17 feet – 20 feet high to the floor): Ideally, the bottom of the chandelier should be at least 7 to 10 feet above the floor. – For Low Ceiling (No more than 10 feet): If the space is large but the ceiling is low, aim for at least 6.5 feet above the floor.
If you're hanging from the highest apex of the ceiling, use the rule of thumb above, 7 feet for 9 feet of ceiling height, plus 3 extra inches for each foot of ceiling height.
In the lighting industry, there's a general rule which is: The bottom of the fixture should hang between 30”-36” above the dining room table for an 8-foot ceiling. If you have a higher ceiling, then you should raise it 3 inches for every extra foot of height.
Standard Height Recommendation
The generally accepted rule for hanging dining room chandeliers is that the bottom of the fixture should hang between 30 and 36 inches above the top of the dining table. This range assumes you have an 8-foot ceiling.
As a general rule of thumb, the chandelier should be positioned about 30 to 36 inches above the table surface. You want enough clearance to get in and out of your seat without bonking your head, but you also want the chandelier to be a star in the show.
Contemporary crystal lighting is not your grandmother's chandelier. Gone are the days of stuffy, outdated fixtures. Our crystal lighting embraces sleek, modern designs that blend seamlessly with any decor style.
The general rule is 1 foot for every 3 inches, meaning that for every foot in height your room is, the chandelier should be 3 inches. For example, in a standard 8-foot ceiling height bedroom, the light should hang no lower than 24 inches.
Tall Ceilings
For a more specific measurement, start with seven feet and add three inches for every foot over an eight-foot ceiling height. Adversely, for ceilings under 10 feet, hang your light fixture with a seven-foot to 7.5-foot clearance below.
However, if the foyer is two stories high, the bottom of the lighting should be hung so that it is level with the second floor. This means that the chandelier or pendant may be 8 feet or more above the floor.
Single-story foyer with 8-foot high ceilings: The bottom of a hanging lighting fixture should be no lower than 7 feet above the floor. Single-story foyer with 9 to 12-foot high ceilings: When foyer ceilings are 9 to 12 feet high, elevate the chandelier so its bottom is no closer than 7 feet, 6 inches above the floor.
Know your chandelier's dimensions to avoid these issues have it fit perfectly within the space. The height of the chandelier depends on the height of the ceiling. If your ceiling is tall, then your fixture must be tall. If your ceiling is low, then you need a smaller fixture.
The ideal distance is between 32-34 inches from the table, of course, the size of the light will depend on the size of the room and ideally it will be between 1/2 and 2/3rds of the table size but there should be a gap of 12" around the edge to prevent bumps to heads.
Uplighter Ceiling Lights
Stay away from lights that direct light downwards. Instead, choose why not choose an uplighter that will bounce light off the ceiling and diffuse it around the room. These light fittings are perfect for making a room appear bigger and brighter.
Another measurement to take into account is that there should be approximately 72 inches between the bottom of the light fixture and the floor.
Hanging your pendants between 30 to 36 inches above the counter ensures that the light source is positioned at an optimal height to eliminate shadows and provide focused illumination for tasks such as chopping vegetables or preparing meals.
In the coming year, bold and sculptural chandeliers will maintain their popularity. Available in various shapes, colors, and sizes, the oversized and sculptural designs, featuring unique, curved, abstract shapes or cascading tiers, not only cast light dramatically around the room but also double as pieces of art.
If your home has a traditional or classic design, a crystal chandelier may be a better fit. Its timeless elegance can complement the grandeur of traditional architecture. On the other hand, if your home has a modern or contemporary design, a glass chandelier may be more suitable.
This means implementing a 7-foot rule: the bottom of the chandelier should be at least 7 feet (84 inches) above the floor. When installing the light, step back and look at how it takes up space in the room; some people prefer to leave 8 feet of clearance above the floor, to give the room a more open and spacious feel.
Allow at least 7 feet from your floors to the bottom of your light fixture. For foyers with windows, be sure to center the chandelier within the window. If you have a two-story foyer, the bottom of the fixture should not be lower than the second floor.
The perfect chandelier can be an incredible focal point for your dining room design, and create the perfect atmosphere for gathering. Dining chandeliers that are too large or not big enough can detract from the overall balance of your design.