The first step to buying a chandelier is finding the right chandelier size. However, where you place the chandelier in your home impacts the size. To take the guesswork out of the process, follow our tips for both sizing and placement.

Chandelier Sizes
How to Calculate Chandelier Size
Where to Place Your Chandelier

Chandelier Sizes

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No matter what type of chandelier you are looking for – whether crystal, candle style, lantern, sputnik, or another design – the dimensions of your space are a key factor when picking the right chandelier size. If the fixture is too big or too small, the room will feel disjointed, so you want to choose the size that looks great in the room while making the most impact.

Small (Less Than 20" Wide): Small chandeliers are good for rooms smaller than 10' x 10' such as home offices, children's rooms, or bathrooms. They illuminate the space, making it appear larger. It is also possible to use multiple small chandeliers in a large room to offer more even lighting.

Medium (21" – 26" Wide): Medium chandeliers do well in rooms that are 12' x 12' – most commonly bedrooms and guest rooms.

Large (27" – 34" Wide): Large chandeliers are great for rooms that are 14' x 14', such as living rooms and dining rooms. Area with higher ceilings can also handle larger chandeliers as the light will be more diffused while covering a bigger area.

Oversized (Greater Than 35" Wide): Oversized chandeliers are ideal for rooms that are 16' x 16' and above. This includes dens, extremely large spaces, and even big rooms with vaulted ceilings.

How to Calculate Chandelier Size

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Before you start the shopping process, we recommend measuring the length and width of your rooms as well as the height of your ceilings to help to narrow down the selection of chandeliers to only those that will work in your space.

Width

Measure your room's length and width in feet, and add those two numbers together. Then use that number as the width in inches for your chandelier. For example, if your room is 10' x 16', the sum of those equals 26'. The chandelier should be 26" wide.

However, if you are placing the chandelier over a table, the width of the chandelier should be 12" narrower than the width of the table so no one bumps into it while getting in and out of their seat.

Height

Regarding chandelier height, we recommend 3" for every foot of space between the floor and ceiling. You can find this number by multiplying the height of your ceiling (in feet) by three. For example, if your ceilings are 8' high, your chandelier should be 24" tall (8 x 3 = 24).

Tip!

Need help choosing the right chandelier type to suit your space? Read our guide Types of Chandeliers and Chandelier Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Chandelier for Your Home.

Where to Place Your Chandelier

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There are two factors to consider when positioning a chandelier: where in the room it will be placed and its hanging height. Mounting the chandelier in the wrong spot will impact the room’s overall aesthetic – if it hangs too low, it will hinder the flow of traffic through your home; if it’s too high, the light may be too dim to be useful. When placing a chandelier in a specific room, reference our recommendations below.

Dining Room

Hanging Height: The bottom of the chandelier should hang 30" – 36" above the table.
Where to Hang: Mount the light above the middle of the table – not the middle of the room. If you have a sideboard or buffet table, your dining table is likely placed off-center in the room, so a chandelier hanging in the middle of the space will be confusing to the eye.

Above a Kitchen Island

Hanging Height: The bottom of the chandelier should hang 30" – 36" above the countertop.
Where to Hang: Center the chandelier in the middle of the island. However, if you are hanging multiple pendant lights or mini chandeliers, we recommend placing the lights 30" apart from each other along the center line of the island. If you will have three lights, center one above the middle of the island and then hang the other two 30" apart on either side.

Entryway, Bedroom, or Living Room

Hanging Height: So no one bumps their head, always have 7' of clearance between the bottom of the chandelier and the floor. However, if your ceiling is taller than 8', mount the chandelier an additional 3" higher for every extra foot above 8'.
If you have a two-story foyer, the bottom of the fixture should hang at the same level as the second floor.
Where to Hang: If you have a large foyer, a chandelier placed over a round table will provide a bold statement. In a small entryway, the chandelier should hang in the middle of the room.

Tip!

If the chandelier is being hung in your bedroom or living room, place it in the middle of the room or above a bed or coffee table. Mini chandeliers also look great hanging above nightstands (but remember the 30" – 36" rule!).

Bathroom

Hanging Height: At least 8' above the highest point from the tub's edge.
Where to Hang: Due to strict building codes for wet environments, the chandelier must be at least 3' from the edge of the tub or shower.
For safety reasons, make sure that the chandelier is enclosed or made for moisture-rich environments.