How to size and hang a chandelier

A chandelier that is too small looks lost, and one that is too big crowds the room. A few simple rules of thumb get you close, then your eye does the rest.

The room rule

A common starting point: add the room length and width in feet, and use that number in inches for the chandelier diameter. A 12 by 14 foot room suggests about a 26-inch chandelier. Use the chandelier size calculator.

Over a dining table

Size the chandelier to the table instead of the room: about half to two-thirds of the table width is a good range. Hang the bottom roughly 30 to 36 inches above the tabletop, a little higher for taller ceilings. Long tables can take two smaller fixtures or a linear chandelier.

Foyers and two-story spaces

In an entry, keep the bottom of the fixture high enough to walk under comfortably, and center it in the space or in a window when viewed from outside. Two-story foyers can take a taller fixture that fills more of the height.

Light and control

Put the chandelier on a dimmer so it works for dinner and cleanup. Warm bulbs around 2700K feel best in dining and living rooms; see the color temperature guide and the lighting layers guide.

Shop the look

Browse chandeliers and lighting, or see pendants in the pendant lighting guide.

Common questions

How do I choose a chandelier size?

Add the room length and width in feet and use that number in inches as a starting diameter. Over a table, use about half to two-thirds of the table width.

How high should a chandelier hang over a table?

Roughly 30 to 36 inches from the tabletop to the bottom of the fixture, a bit higher with tall ceilings.

Should a chandelier be on a dimmer?

Yes. A dimmer lets one fixture work for bright tasks and relaxed dinners.