Help!!! chandelier size dilemma for dining room!

14 years ago

Hi all! I hope you can give me your 'professional' (I feel like you are all such professionals when it comes to this stuff!) advice.

I need to make a decision on the size of our chandelier for our dining room. In research, it seems that there are some pretty standard "formulas" to determine the size which are (1) 1/2 the width of your dining table, (2) add the length & width of the room to give you the inches in diameter (example: if the room is 10'x12', then the chandelier diameter should be approx 22" (10+12=22).

So here's my dilemma. Our room is approx 16.75' x 13.5' (actually even slightly larger that this because we have a bay window area which adds a little more width at the center) - so if you go by rule #2, we should be getting a chandelier that's approx 30" in dia. BUT our dining room table is only 38" in width --> HOWEVER, there is a good possibility that some time down the road we'll end up getting a larger dining table.

OK, so the chandelier that I LOVE comes in 2 sizes: smaller is 24" dia & 23" h , and larger is 32" dia & 26" h. Sorry...I don't know how to add images or direct links (i'm a newbie!), but here is the chandelier at lampsplus.

http://www.lampsplus.com/Products/Hampton-Collection-24-inch-Wide-Chandelier__G9147.html

http://www.lampsplus.com/Products/Hampton-Collection-32-inch-Wide-Chandelier__G9148.html

So, I prefer the look of the larger, but fear that it might look too overpowering. Naturally, I also wouldn't mind saving some $$ & getting the smaller, but then fear that it might look too dinky (based on the size of the room). ...so, I need your help! Please let me know your thoughts!

THANKS in advance!

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Comments (13)

graywings123
14 years ago
Not a professional, but my vote is for the larger one.

Lovely choice, by the way.

Here is a link that might be useful: Larger one
Kathleen McGuire
14 years ago
Love your chandelier choice. I would go with the larger as I don't think it will overwhelm. It is such a gorgeous piece, I would think it will showcase in the room!
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How tall are is the ceiling in the room? If you search blogs some say for an 8' ceiling the height from the table is around 30-34" for an 8' ceiling, for higher ceilings they usually add 3" for every foot. IMO this is a matter of personal preference. I personally would never put a chandelier at that height because it's right on top you when you sitting down and its in your face when you standing and trying to talk or pass something across the table. The ceiling in my dining room 17' high, my light is 5'7 from the table and it's perfect. If you tell me your ceiling height and the table size I will give you a visual how it will look with a few different heights in relation to a person standing next to the table.
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Beth thank you thank you. yes I think that first one with the blue is stunning but it is over budget. I tried searching it out shopping wise and it's just gorgeous but I think I am not willing to spring for the $. It's stunning and maybe I will think on this more. 2- The Kira Adelade could work and yes the price is terrific but I am not sure if I like it better than Presidio. I was entertaining it with the dark shade as I thought it was navy but it's black. (the last photo ) so again it's really nice but not calling my name. (yet?) 3 The Manhattan is very attractive and also great price and could work. Fwiw the brass/gold finish has a cream shade which I think is ok as well. The brass/gold is out of stock but I probably could search it out somewhere. 4- The Zoey is also really nice and well priced.. and although it's a drum, it's a bit different from what I have been looking at...I think that the wire from which it hangs is a plain wire and I prefer either chain or tube. 5- The last one is the Kira with the dark shade. LizzieB thank you for your comment. I follow your threads and love your taste (as you see, another lifelong blue fan here). I do love that first one and may try shopping around. At this point, I think I need to think some more on this. I usually show DH my final contenders and often let him pick or at least hear if there are any he dislikes. I am holding off at the moment because I know on the one hand he will say anything would be way better than what's there ( and he'd be right!! lol) and also I suspect that being the unobservant male, he would automatically go with a traditional candle chandelier. I was thinking white shade but would cream offwhite be better or really no difference? So, still thinking The preecy pricey navy one. (the signature one from RLRelocation) Also the clover one but thinking maybe too glam. Presidio. Ovanda (chandelier) I do like the one Jinx shared but I think I don't adore it. It seems to be they are all great options so I thank you-- my take is that none would be a bad choice. Thanks for all the support and suggestions Did I mention that I struggle with decisions?
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palimpsest
14 years ago
With lighting like this, its better to go with too big than too small. The larger one is within the range of being the correct size so I don't think you can go wrong with it.

I am not familiar with the 1/2 width of dining table rule, that would lead to some pretty small chandeliers. I think 2/3 is more like it.
gholly
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks so much for your opinions! Wow...I must say that I'm a bit surprised from the responses! For some reason, I totally thought that I was going to get more "go with the smaller" - but it seems that the larger is the favored choice here.

Just 1 more thought to throw out there...given the table width is only 38" - a 32" dia chandelier would mean there would only be a 3" "space cushion" on each side for those seated in the central chairs. I know the rule is that the light should hang at least 30" above the table...but do you think this will interfere & people might hit their heads at all?

I'm super excited that you are all helping me to make a decision. I've been so wishy-washy about this...worrying that if place the order, and get it...it would not be the right size...and I could only imagine how much of a hassle & costly it would be to ship back to exchange. And thanks for the compliments on my selection - i REALLY love it, and hope it is just perfect in our DR.

Thanks!
folkvictorian
14 years ago
Wow - the chandelier is gorgeous! I'd go for it in a minute! I agree with the others - get the larger one. It's such an "airy" design that even if it's bigger than your formula recommends, it won't overwhelm.
Kathleen McGuire
14 years ago
30" might be too low. Try 32" or 33". Before you hang it, play with the height until it feels right. It will be 'gawgeous'!
shea
14 years ago
I too would go with the larger one. To me, it's more important to go with the scale of the room than the scale of the table. I wish I could purchase just the shade, but they don't offer a replacement shade.

This might take a little of the sting out of going with the larger one. It is $124 less, and free shipping:

Here is a link that might be useful: A better price
shea
14 years ago
Gholly, I forgot to mention that I love your choice! It will be beautiful!
lorriekay
14 years ago
It's Beautiful!!
shea
14 years ago
Well it really pays to google. Here it is at the price above ($711), but with a coupon code (CRYSTORAMA10) for an additional 10% off. This brings the final price down to $640. I may be buying one yet!

Here is a link that might be useful: Still lower price
shea
14 years ago
I apologize that I keep pulling this up. I should have done all the homework before posting. This is the last time, I promise (unless I find it for free!). I hope you see this before you order, Gholly.

Here is a link that might be useful: Only $603
gholly
Original Author
14 years ago
Wow - thanks everyone! Shea...thanks for your diligence :-) I seriously appreciate it. Actually when I was about ready to actually take the plunge after all your opinions, I googled again, and yes - I found the $603 deal...that's where I purchased from. And I also went through bing...so hopefully will get it for even less than that. Thanks all! I can't wait for it to arrive & to get it installed!
shea
14 years ago
Would love to see a pic when you get it installed!!

Help!!! chandelier size dilemma for dining room!

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Help!!! chandelier size dilemma for dining room!

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