Chandeliers come in all types of styles,
sizes, and challenges. If you like the idea of adding some classy style to your
home with a new chandelier, we can help. This guide will take you through the
main types of chandeliers and factors you should consider in your search.
Types of Chandeliers
Chandeliers are far from basic in style. Some
are fancy, like those you may picture accentuating a palace ballroom. Some are
more modern and offer a simpler style. Others provide an old-fashioned look
with candelabras updated for the modern era to be electric. In other words,
when it comes to buying a chandelier, you have got plenty of options. Here are
six of the most common types of chandeliers you will be choosing from.
Shaded Chandeliers
Tiered Chandeliers
Candelabra
Chandeliers
Crystal Chandeliers 
Drum Chandeliers 
Mini
Chandeliers
Factors to Consider When Buying a Chandelier
Chandeliers come in so many different shapes,
sizes, and materials that figuring out how to narrow your search down can be overwhelming.
To give you an idea going in of just what you can expect when you set out to
find a chandelier, here are some of the main factors you should keep in mind in
your search.
Before you take the step of purchasing a
chandelier, it is important to know the dimensions of the space you plan to put
it in. Start by measuring the height of the ceiling. One recommendation is to
choose a chandelier that has two inches of height for every foot of space. That
does not necessarily have to be treated like a hard and fast rule, but it can
give you a standard for your search.
You also want to consider the width. If it
will be hung in a living room or bedroom, you have some flexibility to work
with, but probably still want it to be smaller than a fourth of the width of
the room. If your plan is to hang it over a dining room table, then you should
make sure the width of the chandelier is smaller than the width of the table.
Keep in mind the heights of the people in your
home in determining how high to hang it. If it’s too
low, you risk people hitting their heads on it–there should be a good amount of
space between people’s heads and the lowest point on the chandelier. If you
hang it too high, cleaning it and replacing bulbs may be a frustration.
More than most lighting fixtures, chandeliers
are often heavy. If you purchase a heavy chandelier, that will affect how
tricky installation is, and exponentially increases the risks involved in
trying to install it yourself. No one wants to be in the wrong place when a
badly installed chandelier falls from the ceiling, so be aware of the
additional issues that come with purchasing these gorgeous fixtures.
Room Placement
With a large selection of mini chandeliers on
the market, hanging a chandelier in your bathroom is even an option with damp
or wet location rated chandeliers. But you do have to be careful to pick the
right chandelier for the right space. To figure out which chandelier makes
sense in the room you have in mind, take into consideration these three
factors:
The Style of the Room
– Do the colors and design of the chandelier you are considering match the
overall space?
The Amount of Lighting Needed
– The big appeal of chandeliers is that they are beautiful, but they also have
a practical job to do. Do you need the chandelier to put off lots of light, or
can it simply do the job of adding a little ambient light to the setting?
The Size of the Room
– A massive chandelier in a small room is overkill, plain and simple. On the
other hand, one mini chandelier will not do much for larger spaces like living
rooms. Make sure the size of the chandelier is appropriate to the space
available.
The Connection to the Wiring –
Some homes already have a setting to hang a chandelier, but if you want to
install one in a location that does not have an existing one, you will want to
consult a professional electrician for more information, as more heavy
chandeliers will require a stronger setting.
Type of Bulb
Consider the type of bulb your chandelier
requires. Will it be easy to replace? Is it expensive? Does it let off enough
light? How much energy does it use? LED and CFL bulbs fare the best on energy
conservation. They will save money each month on your energy bills and you will
not have to worry about replacing them for a while.
Ease of Installation
If you buy an expensive chandelier that’s
heavy, you don’t want to drop it and ruin it before you ever get to enjoy it,
so for some types of chandeliers you may want to call in a professional
regardless of your typical DIY tendencies just to be safe. How high you hang it
will have an influence on how you experience the light (and whether any guests
will bump into it). Heavy chandeliers require more careful installation to
ensure they will never fall. This is a process you need to get right, so make
sure it is done well when you do it.
Ease of Care
Let us save you some trouble – chandeliers can
be a frustrating and challenging item to clean. How frequently they need to be
cleaned and how difficult they are to clean properly will depend on the
materials they are made of and how intricate the design is. If you buy a
beautiful chandelier with tons of small pieces, expect to pay for that beauty
in cleaning time.
Pay attention to any cleaning instructions
that come with your chandelier; it’s worth taking the time to take proper care
of it and keep it in good condition so you can enjoy it for many years to come.
The Bottom Line
Any home can be suitable for a chandelier if
you choose the right chandelier for your home’s space and style. Chandeliers are
accessible to all homeowners who like the idea of adding a little extra light
and elegance to their space. Even if you are on a budget, there is an
exceptionally good chance that you can find a chandelier you love. Just be sure
to call Swartz Electric today for a free consultation on what would be safest
for you and your home at 719-457-2218.