They are available in a mind-boggling variety of sizes, shapes, colours and structures that can suit any style and wallet. But, selecting the right chandelier isn’t just about returning home with the most expensive or the prettiest piece in the store. The chandelier, rather than being snugly fixed to the ceiling, is almost always hung down by a chain/rod, sometimes from a finely designed ceiling plaque’s centre.
The chain can be either concealed from view using a fabric sleeve or left bare. Several arms or branches emanate from the central body, each holding electric bulbs in fancy containers or glass jars to light candles in. The latter type can be raised and lowered to help light the candles.
Conventionally, the most common location for chandeliers was over the dining table. Available in mini sizes, they adorn almost every possible spot in houses, from halls to stairways to even bedrooms and bathrooms! The age and overall architecture of the house also influence chandelier-design decisions.
How big should your chandelier be? Professionals recommend adding the dimensions of the room together (length and breadth). The sum in inches is the appropriate chandelier size. (If your room measures 10’x12’, the fixture’s diameter should measure 10+12=22 inches). A chandelier above the dining table should be narrower than the table’s width, the bottom hanging at least 30-36 inches above the tabletop.
A high-ceilinged room allies well with a chandelier of two-three layers. A wide one pairs up excellently with a long-armed and intricately-carved chandelier. Hanging chandeliers before windows makes them visible from the outside too. A spot in front of a huge mirror multiplies the beauty manifold.
Does the design permit easy maintenace and cleaning? Because every little part gathers dust, decide the effort you can afford to put in to clean it regularly. Since your chandelier will live long, ensure its design and colour can suit changing décor through the years.
Determine the kind of light you want in the room. Some chandeliers support only soft light, others channelise light towards a particular spot and yet others come with dimmers. Do you want a chandelier that comes with matching sconces? Are some special bulbs necessary? Remember, their replacement can be cumbersome. Does your budget accommodate the price? While calculating cost, include the cost of the multiple bulbs that your chandelier will demand.
Chandeliers with fake candles topped with candle bulbs, those with little lampshades and ones made of white, icicle-like glass tubes are but a few. Traditional chandeliers have crystals shaped as diamonds, triangles, spheres, pendants or teardrops coupled with a polished brass finish. Wrought iron adds a formal touch. Gold, silver and bronze finishes are popular. Modern chandeliers employ steel-chrome with Spartan straight lines for the arms and round, glass baubles for the lights. Coral, shells and even antlers adorn natural-look chandeliers. Some chandeliers sport metal painted in various colours.
Today, medium-sized chandeliers light up particular spots in kitchens or dining rooms. Mini-chandeliers hang over kitchen islands, in bathrooms, bedrooms or dressing rooms. Little chandeliers hung low beside the bed act as bedside lamps even. Outdoor chandeliers brighten up porches and patios.