What Is a Chandelier?
A chandelier is a decorative light that hangs from the ceiling and that has branches for light bulbs or candles.
The right chandelier will add a beautifully dramatic lighting element to your home. Known for enhancing the appearance of a living room or dining area, chandeliers create a soft, glowing atmosphere similar to candlelight.
According to the American Heritage Dictionary a chandelier is “a branched, decorative lighting fixture that holds a number of bulbs or candles and is suspended from a ceiling.”
In the interest of fire safety, today’s chandeliers rarely hold candles, but they still impart an incomparable ambiance.
Chandeliers are considered to be one of the most elegant of accessories a person can add to his or her home.
There are literally thousands of chandeliers available on the market today and in vast arrays of different sizes, styles and choices of crystal or glass, wrought iron or rustic.
Chandeliers are just as much about making a statement and creating a mood in a space as they are about lighting.
The type of chandelier you choose will depend on your decorating scheme, the scale of your room and the electrical outlets available.
Want to add a touch of elegance to your dining room but don’t know where to begin? Here are Popular Chandelier Types.
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Crystal
When it comes to a crystal chandelier, it is the quality rather than the size of those gleaming jewels that matters.
Chandelier manufacturers use everything from top-of-the-line Swarovski crystals and high-quality Murano glass to the slightly lower qualities of glass perhaps of the Bohemian-style glass lighting.
At the other end of the scale you will find many cheaper quality products that simply use a transparent polymer, but also to great effect.
Tiffany
A type of glass chandelier, Tiffany fixtures feature stained glass shades in the Art Nouveau fashion of the early 20th century.
Neoclassical
Perhaps the most ornate style, a neoclassical chandelier is notable for its plethora of delicate details.
Candle
A candle chandelier is the most traditional variety. Its candle-shaped light bulbs evoke the original meaning of the word chandelier.
Glass
You should be aware that if you’ve ordered a high quality design in hand blown glass, you may at first be disappointed in some of the rough finishes.
However to an expert these seeming ‘blemishes’ are regarded as its certificate of uniqueness; they are the hallowed seal of a master craftsman.
So, before you buy, make sure you do some homework on how to evaluate their quality, such as when rough edges mean rough products and when they don’t.
Drum
Named for their iconic shape, drum chandeliers feature a stylish combination of branches and a cylindrical shade, usually made of fabric.
Industrial
They feature bold geometric shapes, exposed bulbs and sturdy metal construction.
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Things to Consider When Installing a Chandelier
- Position a dining room chandelier in line with the centre of your table.
- In a spacious foyer or living room, choose a chandelier which is broader and longer than fixtures for use in a dining room.
- Purchase a chandelier approximately one foot narrower than the dining table’s width.
- Hang the fixture 30-34” over the table, in a room with an 8’ ceiling. For a loftier ceiling, mount the chandelier 3” higher for each additional foot of ceiling height.
- Don’t forget to check that the ceiling electrical box can support the weight of your chosen chandelier. Otherwise, replace it with a heavy-duty box or add a fan brace to your ceiling.
- Try your hand at do-it-yourself installation if you’re confident that you know how to wire a chandelier
- Hire a professional electrician to install your chandelier … and upgrade the electrical system too, if need be.
A chandelier is a beautiful piece of art that you, your children and your visitors will enjoy for years to come.
You will be proud of your sparkling investment, which is sure to become one of your more desired and treasured family heirlooms.