Chandelier chic for every room in your home

A classic chandelier will always add timeless elegance, but don’t feel you have to limit yourself to a traditional setting

A really effective way to add instant wow factor is by hanging a chandelier. A traditional chandelier – characteristically with crystal drops and candles – will always be a beautiful finishing touch for a spacious period-style dining or drawing room, but you don’t have to be restricted to matching the age of the chandelier to the style of your space. A glittery number adds a touch of luxury to anything from a romantically styled boudoir to an industrial kitchen, and can add softness and sparkle to a sleek contemporary space too.

While chandeliers are usually hung in grand entranceways, living rooms or over dining tables, a dinky chandelier can also be an unexpected feature in functional, smaller spaces such as a utility, downstairs cloakroom or the family bathroom. Striking chandeliers look stylish hanging over kitchen islands, contrasting with this practical setting, and you can even have more than one in a room – but either stick to a matching pair or go for polar opposite styles for this bold look to work.

If you love the idea of an extravagant piece but don’t have the ceiling height, consider hanging it in a stairwell (head clearance allowing) or positioning it off-centre in a room for a contemporary look that can make a striking piece less imposing. Smaller individual pendants can replicate the feel of a chandelier when hung in a cluster for a modern approach. Whatever style you choose, try to match materials for a harmonious look – if you’ve got an ornate brass number, for example, reflect this in accessories such as mirrors, picture frames or table lamp bases.

Proportions are important for chandeliers. Too big and it can feel overwhelming, but too small and the impact is lost. The size of a chandelier can look very different when it’s hanging in an antique shop or a salvage yard compared to in your home, so it’s best to take measurements and check your chosen light won’t hang too low or dominate the space. As a general rule, experts say a light fitting should hang a minimum of two metres above the floor. You can also find online calculators to help you work out the best chandelier size for your room – see the hand guide at Lightology.

You need to ensure that original vintage or antique pieces have been safely rewired for modern use, or find an expert who can do this for you. A large crystal chandelier can be very heavy and may need extra support – getting it professionally installed is definitely advisable.

If you’re looking for a thrifty purchase, browse Etsy or head to one of the larger vintage fairs like Ardingly International Antiques and Collectors Fair, or Sunbury Antiques Market.

For something special, visit Agapanthus Interiors for a beautiful range of styles; while The Vintage Chandelier Company offers rewired and restored antique chandeliers, including unusual styles with colourful glass droplets. For beautifully crafted new lighting as well as restored antique pieces – including chandeliers, wall lights and pendants – try Fritz Fryer.

WORDS: LINDSEY HARRAD