The Right Height for Your Chandelier
One of the most important details in your room is your chandelier, and a chandelier hanging at the wrong height doesn't bring beauty and elegance; instead, it's a bit of an eyesore. Two of the most common places to hang a chandelier include the foyer and the dining room, and those are the two areas discussed in this article.
 |
A dining table is surely used for eating but in today's busy world, its also used for doing homework, craft projects, meetings and personal business. Its primary focus remains as the center of the household where families gather for daily meals and yearly holiday celebrations. Everyday meals require brighter lighting than an intimate dinner party. So do multitasking activities that happen at the same table. A chandelier with several lights that can be turned on and off at will is a good solution; a dimmer is another good idea. The correct hanging height depends on a few factors: the style of the chandelier, the style of the room and the height of the ceiling. If the chandelier is clear, hang it closer to the table. If it's solid or bowl style and opaque, hang it higher. The correct height usually is somewhere between 28 to 32 inches above the table. Two easy tricks will help to visualize the best hanging height. Bowl style chandeliers usually have a diameter of 24 to 36 inches and are similar in size to an open umbrella. Take your umbrella, open it and hold it upside down over the dining table. Measure the distance from the bottom of the umbrella to the table and you'll get your number. |
If you plan to hang your chandelier in the foyer, you need to consider the ceiling height. Allow three inches of fixture per foot of ceiling height with a maximum of 30 inches when you purchase your fixture. When you install it, make sure it's about one third down from the ceiling to the base of the fixture so the light disperses evenly. For instance, a 20 foot foyer would require the base to be about six feet below the ceiling.
