Chandeliers are a great way to add light to your home. They’re also a stylish statement piece, and you can choose from a wide range of sizes to match your decor. To find the perfect chandelier, consider size and placement as well as how you’ll be using it.
Size: A chandelier should be a good fit for the space it will hang in, so be sure to measure the length and width of the room. Then, choose a chandelier that fits within that range to get the best look.
Placement: You want to make sure that the chandelier doesn’t overpower the furniture it will be hanging over, so you should pick a fixture that is around three-quarters the size of the table or other object. If you’re going to use it as an accent piece, such as above a kitchen island or in a foyer, then you can go with a larger scale to create more of a statement.
Height: As a rule of thumb, a chandelier shouldn’t hang higher than 7 feet from the floor, even if the ceiling is higher. This is to avoid a chandelier getting too close to the furniture it’s hanging over, which can cause damage to the material.
Shape: A chandelier may be made of many different materials, but it should be shaped in an interesting way to make it stand out from the rest of the room. There are several types of shapes you can choose from, including round and square.
Color: The colors of the chandeliers you choose can be an important design element. You can choose a style that matches the color scheme of the room, or you can opt for a more neutral tone to create an atmosphere of harmony.
Glass: The type of glass used in a chandelier can affect the way it lights up. For example, a chandelier with clear glass is likely to cast light more evenly than one with frosted or colored glass.
Traditionally, chandeliers were made with glass that was imported from Venice. Murano glass factories in that city were famous for their blown-glass work, and they used soda-lime glass that was famed for its clarity.
It took years of experience and skill for these artisans to shape their masterpieces, so the quality and craftsmanship of these pieces is truly unique. A typical Murano chandelier would feature intricate arabesques of leaves, flowers and fruits that were enhanced with coloured glass.
Wires: Over time, the wires in a chandelier can deteriorate and become damaged. This is especially true in older fixtures. Before you rewire a chandelier, test all the wires to see if there are any problems with continuity. To do this, attach a continuity tester clip to the metal threads inside the socket and touch the neutral (silver) terminal with the probe.
Rewiring an old chandelier can be a daunting task, but it’s not impossible to do. You can use the help of a friend to dismantle it, strip and connect the wires, and then reinstall it. It can take up to three hours, so plan to have a helper on hand and set up a drop cloth to cushion the chandelier as you work.
