A guide to choosing a chandelier from style to size
Added: 7.9.2021 10:33.00
07 September 2021
When choosing a chandelier, the first thing that probably comes to mind is that it has to look good and also fit in with the rest of the interior. We agree, but there are other parameters to consider before you go shopping for a chandelier. Let's take a look at them.
The central light fixture takes care of the main illumination of the entire room. So, it pays to pay enough attention to its selection. For example, did you know that you can calculate the number of arms needed, or that there is an ideal floor height? But one step at a time.
How to choose a chandelier that is stylistically appropriate
A chandelier completes the atmosphere of a room, so it should ideally match the rest of the furnishings. The most common interior styles include the following: modern, urban, Scandinavian, country, rustic, Mediterranean, industrial, chateau or glamour style. Have you found yourself in them?
While industrial style is known for its austerity, Scandinavian style favours minimalism and geometry. Urban is playful, and country is in tune with natural materials. So focus on what materials you have at home and choose a chandelier that complements them. There are a variety of chandelier materials on the market - from metal to plastic to crystal.
In particular, chandeliers made of genuine Czech crystal are suitable for modern, glamour or chateau style, and they will raise the whole living space even higher. What types can you choose from?
- Crystal chandeliers - a classic crystal chandelier with glass arms and crystal trimmings is suitable for both traditional and modern interiors.
- Maria Theresa crystal chandeliers - a world-famous Czech specialty named after the Austro-Hungarian Empress Marie Terezie is characterized by metal arms that are lined with glass mouldings. The chandelier is decorated with crystal trimmings. Ideal for high ceilings and larger rooms.
- Ceiling lights with trimmings - you will appreciate these lights with crystal trimmings in rooms with low ceilings.
- Modern lights - crystal luminaires in a modern design are suitable for interiors with a contemporary feel.
- Brass chandeliers - chandeliers with a handmade structure made of high-quality cast brass look best in a chateau or rustic style.
Why is crystal better than plastic?
The price of a crystal chandelier can seem like a large sum. On the other hand, it is a chandelier that will last for generations. Not only is it timeless. Genuine crystal trimmings, unlike plastic or acrylic ones, will never yellow. And only cut crystal can distribute the light in a rainbow spectrum that won't cease to fascinate you even years later.
How to choose the right chandelier size and number of arms
When choosing a chandelier for your interior, its size relative to the size of the room and the height of the ceiling matters. A massive chandelier in a small room will make it feel cramped. On the other hand, a chandelier that is too small in a larger room will look lost and disproportionate.
The recommended height (i.e. the height of the bottom of the chandelier from the floor) is 220 cm. If you are not going to walk underneath it and hang it above the table, it is recommended to keep the height at 180 cm from the ground. You can adjust the length of the suspension chain to suit your needs.
As a rough guide, you can also calculate the number of chandelier arms and the diameter of the chandelier in case the chandelier will be the only source of lighting. If you also choose additional luminaires, the number of arms and the diameter of the chandelier may be smaller.
Number of chandelier arms (bulbs) = room area in m² × recommended watts per m² ÷ 40
Why is the calculation divided by 40? Because it is the number of watts of a classic tungsten bulb with a narrow E14 base. Nowadays, however, a 28W halogen bulb or a 4W LED bulb can also replace a classic 40W bulb.
Recommended watts per m² depending on the room:
- Living room: 20 W/m²,
- kitchen: 15-20 W/m² (30 W/m² above the kitchen),
- bedroom and hallway: 10-15 W/m².
For a better idea, let's use an example: You have a 6×6 m living room and are looking for a suitable chandelier. The size of the room is therefore 6×6 m, which equals 36 m². You multiply this figure by the recommended watts for the living room, which is 20 W. Now you just have to divide the result by 40. The total result is 18. That's 18 arms.
Diameter of the chandelier in cm = 8× (width + length of the room in m)
Example: if your living room is 4 m long and 6 m wide, then the sum of these values is 10. Multiply these by 8. The resulting diameter of the chandelier in this case is 80 cm.
If you don't want to do any calculations, please contact us and we will be happy to advise you on how to choose the right chandelier and draw up a visualisation according to your requirements.
