Is your Dining Room Table ready for the Holidays?

The lighting in your Dining Room sets the scene for your holiday festivities.

Is your Dining Room Lighting ready for your holiday entertaining?

How to choose a Chandelier for your Dining Room:

1) Decide on the theme or period of your Dining Room Decor. Is your Dining Room Traditional? Contemporary? Modern? Transitional?

TRADITIONAL CONTEMPORARY MODERN TRANSITIONAL

2) Decide on the metal or finish that complements the furnishings in your Dining Room.

Metals or finishes don't need to match, but they should complement each other. Silver finishes compliment silver based finishes such as nickel and stainless steel, it also compliments neutral finishes like iron. Silver finishes can give traditional rooms an updated or more modern look. Brass is limited to yellow based finishes and iron. Brass is used in very traditional rooms, and can make rooms feel dated if not used correctly. Iron or black finishes compliments almost every finish: Silver, Brass, Oiled Bronze, etc. Iron finishes can be used in traditional, transitional, modern and contemporary rooms.

3) Consider the size and shape of your Dining Room Table when picking out your chandelier.

Size:

If hanging a single Chandelier, your Chandelier should be approx. 1/2 of the width of your Dining Room Table. If you have a 48'' x 72" rectangular table, your Chandelier should be approx 24" in diameter. If you have a 72" diameter circular table, your Chandelier should be approx 36" in diameter.

If hanging two Chandeliers over a long Dining Room table, your Chandeliers should be approx. 1/3 of the width of your table. A 60" x 120" table would take two (2) 20" diameter Chandeliers.

Shape:

A Round or Square Table can accept any shape of Chandelier, they look especially regal with a classic, round Chandelier.

An Oval or Rectangular Table can take wider Chandeliers, or Chandeliers with more tiers.

4) When determining the Height of the Chandelier, the Height of the room dictates.

The golden rule of thumb is to multiply the height of the room in feet by 2.5 or 3. A room that is 14' high will take a Chandelier that is 35" - 42" in height.

5) When hanging the Chandelier, hang it between 30" and 36" above the table. Also hang the Chandelier centered over the table, not centered over the room. (This is a common mistake)

6) Always install a dimmer for your Chandelier. This will allow the room to be used for more than just dining and holiday dinners.

Once your Chandelier is installed, set your table and let the celebrating begin under the lights!