Rooms smaller than 10' x 10' – select chandeliers between 17” and 20” wide. Rooms around 12' x 12' – choose chandeliers between 22” and 27” wide. Larger rooms around 14' x 14' – select fixtures between 24” and 32” wide.
If the room is around 12′ x 12′ the fixture should be 22″ to 27″ wide. If the room is around 14′ x 14′ the fixture should be 24″ to 32″ wide.
The diameter for a chandelier hung over a table should be one foot less than the width of the tabletop to avoid hitting heads. If you want to place two smaller chandeliers over a long table, choose a diameter that's about one-third of the width of the table.
The best way to achieve this is to select a fixture that's diameter is somewhere between half and three quarters the diameter (or width) of the tabletop. For example, if the dining room table was 48" wide x 60" long, the chandelier that is 24" to 36" in diameter would be an appropriate size to compliment the table.
For an average 12′ x 12′ bedroom, you would need around 4,000 lumens of light.
Measure your room's length and width in feet, and add those two numbers together. Then use that number as the width in inches for your chandelier. For example, if your room is 10' x 16', the sum of those equals 26'. The chandelier should be 26" wide.
Measure the length and width of the room and add them together. The number of feet is equal to the number of inches in diameter of your chandelier. For example, a 10' x 12' dining room equals 22' – corresponding to a 22” chandelier.
The sparkle and dazzle of a well-placed chandelier defines and enhances the mood of any room. A chandelier that is too large can easily overpower a room and its inhabitants; one that is too small becomes insignificant and decreases the perceived value of the entire space.
A general rule of thumb is to add the room's length and width in feet, and the sum in inches should be the diameter of the chandelier. Also, ensure that the chandelier design complements the room height and doesn't overpower the space.
Round or Oval Chandeliers: While not the traditional choice for a rectangular table, round or oval chandeliers can create a captivating contrast. Placed strategically above the table's center, they add a dynamic focal point and introduce a softer element to the space.
A common rule of thumb is that the light fixture should be about one-half to two-thirds the width of your dining table. This ensures the fixture is large enough to make a visual impact without overpowering the table or the room.
A handy rule of thumb is that a chandelier should be 12 inches narrower than a table and have at least 48 inches of space from each of the room walls or edges. Hang a chandelier approximately 30 to 34 inches over a table with an 8 foot ceiling height.
A chandelier or other low-hanging fixtures should be centered over the dining table, not centered in the middle of the room. For example, if you have other furniture in the room, your table may not be exactly in the center of the space – and that's okay.
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.
As a general rule, for every foot of ceiling height, the light fixture should be 2.5-3 inches high. Therefore, a room with a 10-foot ceiling could handle a light fixture 25-30 inches tall.
Pendant Size Recommendations
The pendant's diameter should be approximately 1/2 to 2/3 the table's width to maintain balance and proportion. For example: A 48-inch wide table pairs best with a pendant that is 24-32 inches in diameter. A smaller 36-inch table may require an 18-24 inches diameter pendant.
When you hang a chandelier above the dining room table, the lowest part of the light fixture should be 30-36 inches above the table's surface. This is based on the assumption that your ceiling is 8 feet high. If your ceiling is higher, hang the chandelier three inches higher for every additional foot of height.
Neutral colors such as black, white, or metallic finishes like silver, gold or bronze can blend in with most color schemes and provide a timeless and elegant look. Bold colors such as red or blue may add a pop of color to a contemporary room or serve as a statement piece.
A central chandelier with its shades directing light downwards will cast a much more focused, clear light into the centre of the room, which is particularly useful for illuminating dining room tables and the like. Downwards-facing wall lights can also provide effective task lighting when positioned over desks.
Chandelier Height
The higher the ceiling, the larger the chandelier's width can be so it proportionately fits in the space. The rule of thumb is that a hanging lighting fixture should have 2 to 3 inches of width for each foot of ceiling height.
As a general rule of thumb, the chandelier should be positioned about 30 to 36 inches above the table surface.
Choosing the height of a chandelier
To choose the right height size of your chandelier, multiply the height of the room (in feet) by 2.5 or 3. The resulting number is the best size for your room height (in inches).
A good rule of thumb is to add up the width and length of the foyer in feet to find the ideal diameter or width of a light. For example, a 20-inch diameter foyer light would be ideal for a 10x10 foyer.
One guideline (though I think it should be used loosely) is to add the width and length of your room together and look for a fixture with a width/diameter that's the same number but in inches. So for example, if your space is 16'x20' you'd look for a fixture somewhere in the neighborhood of 36 inches wide. 5.