Chandeliers are a great choice when looking forward to making a big impression with your lighting fixture. A chandelier sets tone in a dining room, graces a foyer, and adds character in any room. These come in various designs to match contemporary, modern, and transitional styles. Additionally, other factors are considered when selecting chandeliers. To help you narrow down your choices, here are a few insights.
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Desired lighting trends
Chandeliers with a chrome or satin nickel finish are ideal for a modern design and look. Those with bronze finishes are more suited in transitional designs with a combination of design elements from contemporary and modern styles. Consider chandeliers with satin nickel or chrome finish for a modern design. Additionally consider a chandelier having clean lines and minimal ornate decoration. The ideal chandelier finish and material complement other finishes in your space.
Chandelier size
The chandelier size is determined by height, diameter, and the number of bulbs. Opt for a chandelier about half the size of your dining table. This should hand about 30 to 36 inches from the top of the dining table. Avoid a very tall chandelier that looks like sitting on top of the table. For a tall ceiling, choose a two or three-tier chandelier design. Use a chandelier size guide to determine the ideal chandelier size to match the size of your dining table and ceiling height. The options vary for round and square dining tables.
Expected light
The ideal Fortune chandelier is a decorative feature imparting style and ambiance and not the primary source of light in the room. Never expect this single fixture to keep the whole room illuminated. Quality chandeliers make wonderful supplementary light sources. This requires incorporation into the layered lighting scheme. This is the trick to accent your space, paintings, plants, and highlight walls.
Chandelier technology
LED technology has not spared the chandelier market. New and incredible LED chandeliers are coming up every day making regular incandescent light chandeliers absolute. Lighting designers prefer LED for its endless design possibilities. This allows experimenting with function, form, and material in the chandelier market.
Apart from flexibility, LED chandeliers have enhanced energy efficiency and reliability leading to energy and cost savings. These chandeliers light five times cooler compared to halogen lamps and outlast other light sources. LEDs have an expected lifespan of about 25 years when used for about 5 ½ hours daily.
Desired atmosphere
Dimming offers the desired atmosphere from your chandelier. One fully dimmable requires a compatible low voltage dimmer to get the desired effect. Keep in mind that not every LED chandelier is dimmable. Ask the supplier when selecting before checking out. Additionally, dimmers work for different fixtures. Check the product specification and refer to the manufacturer’s recommendation to select a compatible dimmer.
Upgrading to LED or CFL
When looking forward to upgrading your current chandeliers, you have to choose between LED and CFL retrofitting. This is not possible for some fixtures. Additionally, retrofitting bulbs in both options come in various bases and shapes. A chandelier wired to a dimmer requires investing in a new dimmer compatible with your retrofit bulb. The dimmer works with the bulb but not the chandelier.
Plumen is a decorative CFL for chandeliers with a visible bulb. However, this can’t work with a dimmer. Opt for a dimmable CFL for a chandelier where the bulb is not exposed. A chandelier with exposed bulbs is not aesthetically pleasing. When choosing retrofit LED or CFL bulbs mind about the overall look of your chandelier and dimming.
Electrical box location
When selecting a chandelier for your dining room, mind about the location of the electrical box. For a drywall ceiling, the electrician has to move the junction box to center the dining table. This process requires plastering to cover the old hole in your ceiling. You can have the chandelier to hang over the center of a dining table if you have a concrete ceiling. A technician has to center a hook over your dining table for suspending the junction box to a swag hook. Alternatively, the technician might also use a hide-a-cord for concealing the cord on the ceiling.
Height to hang the chandelier
A chandelier for a dining room requires suspending low enough to avoid catching glare from a light source. However, the chandelier should be high enough to avoid obstructing vision. The rule of thumb is for the chandelier bottom to be about 30 to 36 inches from the dining tabletop. You can adjust the chandelier height to match your personal preferences or room requirement.
Bottom line
Now that you have understood what to consider when selecting a chandelier, you are ready to hit the market. Ensure to find a reputable supplier of quality chandeliers from top brands in the market. The ideal chandelier should offer the right ambiance, size, and energy efficiency requirements.
