Mounted fixtures have a dual purpose. They don’t just illuminate a room; they also provide aesthetic appeal to it by bringing beauty and personality into your room. Unlike lamps that one can move around, chandeliers are more permanent. Hence, proper positioning is required for these luminous adornments to work well and look good. The first tip in choosing a chandelier relates to size. One must consider the proportion between the size of the room and the size of the chandelier. A chandelier that is too small for a room will look isolated. On the other hand, one that is too large for a room will appear cluttering. With a rich variety of chandeliers available today, chances are high for finding the perfect one that matches any home. Creativity is very much involved in selecting a chandelier with a wide range of designs, finishes and styles to choose from. Each chandelier adds a touch of elegance to any room and vibrancy into the domestic atmosphere. Chandelier styles can range from elaborate and large to minimalist and aesthetically pleasing. Chandeliers can complement other lighting very easily and will certainly add value to one’s home.
When choosing a dining room chandelier, in particular, attention to proportions becomes magnified. The fixture must neither dominate a table nor look too insignificant. The best thing to do is to measure width and length of the dining table (or the diameter for a round table) and consider these measurements in shopping. As a rule of thumb, the span of the chandelier must be 12 inches shorter than the table’s width (or diameter).
To ensure a new light will be securely supported, the ceiling electrical box must be checked before one begins the installation of the chandelier. When hanging over a dining table, the chandelier must be aligned with the center of the dining table with a 30-to 33-inch gap between the tabletop and the bottom of the chandelier. The purpose of the gap is to prevent any bumped heads. Chandeliers for other rooms should be placed generally higher than 8 feet above the floor in the middle of the room or foyer for safety and style. If the electrical connection on the ceiling does not work with the center of the dining table, add a heavy-duty decorative hook on the ceiling above the table center, and then attach a length of chain to carry the wiring from the electrical connection to the hook.
With regards to choosing the right bulbs to buy, one should decrease the watt rating of the bulb larger numbers of bulbs are required. A chandelier with three or more light sockets is probably more suited to 40 watt bulbs. Once correct bulbs are chosen and installed, the chandelier should give off sufficient light coverage without blinding anyone. Dimmer controls are recommended since they allow adjustment of the light intensity according to needs.
