When you think of a chandelier, what comes to mind? Do you envision an ornate, stately crystal piece hanging in an equally decadent dining room? If so, you’re not alone. But in today’s world, chandeliers come in all shapes and sizes and are useful in every room in the house.
This piece can only go in just the right place...and that place is not my dining room.
The most common place for a chandelier is a dining room, but as a designer, I like to put them in more unexpected spaces. Powder rooms, kitchens (especially over a kitchen island), bedrooms, and closets…even your home office if it works with your design! Chandeliers provide all-over lighting (versus more narrow lighting of an end table lamp) and create ambiance.
The space in the room being designed should determine the placement and scale of your chandelier. In fact, where chandeliers are concerned, it’s always best to connect with your favorite interior designer (RKID, of course!) for more specific design guidance. Having a modern chandelier doesn’t necessarily mean you need to have modern furnishings, and the same goes for any style. Elegant chandeliers look great with contemporary design; rustic chandeliers are gorgeous with traditional design. In fact, you can mix any styles of design when dealing with chandeliers, as long as you consider the scale and material used to make the chandelier (iron, crystal, glass, sleek metal, wood, etc.).
In my opinion, the most important consideration when choosing a chandelier is scale. A large room needs a more grandiose chandelier, and smaller rooms do well with more diminutive chandeliers. If the scale isn’t right, the chandelier is either too dominating or too timid for the room.
Enjoy more fun chandelier photos! (I can’t seem to get enough of these gorgeous pieces.)
Happy lighting!
Renae