This post about Selecting the Right Chandelier Size was updated in November 2023.
The Paloma Orb Chandelier, featured in the living room above, works well as a statement chandelier piece without overwhelming a room’s existing decor.
Often, the trick to good interior design is about sizing up your choices and less about the decoration of the piece. This is especially important when selecting a chandelier size for your space.
Even the most fabulous chandelier, if too large, will simply overwhelm the room. Likewise, if a chandelier is too small, it won’t properly light your space or make the statement you might hope for.
Fear not: we are here to walk you through a brief overview of how to select the right size chandelier for your own unique space and style.
We love using the Koko Wood Bead Drum Chandelier, featured above, to compliment round wooden tables in dining spaces.
A Simple Chandelier Size Formula
If you don’t have furniture yet, there’s a very simple interior design and decorating rule you can follow. Simply add the length and width measurements of the room together, and your answer equals the right size diameter your ideal chandelier should be.
- For example, if your dining room is 10′ x 14′, an appropriate chandelier diameter is 24″.
Another key part of selecting the right chandelier size is considering the amount of people at your table. Make sure that your chandelier is large enough to wash the entire table in light, so you don’t leave some of your guests sitting in the shadows.
For a classic look and feel in any room of the home, you can’t go wrong with our fan-favorite Remington Chandelier featured here in this beautiful office space.
Think Proportions
However, if you already have a table or desk, it’s more important to size your chandelier design to the furniture piece rather than the room. A good rule of thumb is to make sure your chandelier is one-half to three-quarters the width of your table.
A great way to add a touch of sophistication to your home is with a candle-style chandelier: Our Mila Blown Glass Chandelier, featured above, feels like a perfectly placed bow on top of this beautifully decorated bedroom.
Lastly, for the right hanging height, position the bottom of the chandelier about 30-32 inches above the table. You can then adjust it to work with the size of the table and the overall scale of your interior.
Browse all of our lighting options and for more inspiration check out these posts below:
- Podcast, Ep. 127: Lighting 101
- Living Room Lighting: How to Layer More Light into Your Space
- How Do I Choose the Right Lamp Shade?
- How to Select the Right Size Dining Chandelier
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Sue
Help! I need a light fixture for my entrance hall!
Abbey Nolte
Sue,
It’s hard to make a suggestion without seeing your space. We have a team of free interior designers who would love to help you figure out your decorating dilemma. Simply upload images of your room and your question here.
Happy Decorating,
Abbey
Umesh
Hello, I would appreciate your help in deciding right linear pendant/chandelier size for kitchen island size 81’’ x 48’’. Could you please suggest the size we should go with?
Abbey Nolte
Umesh,
We have a team of free interior designers who would love to help you figure out your decorating dilemma. Simply upload images of your room and your question here.
Tej
I have dining area 12 by 12 and planning to buy 60 x 40 or 72 x 40 rectangle dinning table.
I like the rectangle chandelier which had width/diameter is 13″ and length 33″.
Is 13″ x 33″ chandelier is good fit or should I go with smaller 13″ x 21″?
Please advise.
Thanks,
Tej
Abbey Nolte
Hi Tej,
We have a team of interior designers who would love to help you figure out your decorating dilemma. Simply upload images of your room and your question here.
Abbey
Janel
I have a dining room table that is 144″ x 48″ wide. Ceiling height is 134″
I want to use 2 chandeliers but see so many conflicting diameters. I’d rather go bigger than have the fixtures lost in the room.
Advice would be nice to have!
Caroline McDonald
Janel,
Since you’ve got such a long table, I definitely agree that you should use two chandeliers instead of one! I would choose something at least 24″ in diameter which is half the depth of your table. You could probably go a little bit bigger (up to about 36″) if you want more drama, but I think two 24″ width chandeliers would look fantastic.
Best of luck!
Caroline
Elizabeth Whiffen
Hi I adore Ballard Designs! I have 2 Chandaliers from you. They must be discontinued, but very similar to you 10 arm Luce. They are 44″ wide. I have a breakfast nook and adjoining dining room. They are the right size length + width = size, but my ceilings are only 8 feet tall. I always believe go big or go home. I guess I am asking for permission to hang them. I feel like they are so light and airy, not bulky, and not gaudy, that I still can go for it. Do you agree? They are 3 years old and I saved for 6 months to buy them. I cannot part with, or replace them. Do people have to live with little chandaliers because their ceilings are low?
Thank you,
Elizabeth
Caroline McDonald
Elizabeth,
It’s hard to say without seeing the space, but if you don’t have to walk under them (since they’re over tables), it should be fine. I say hang them!
Best of luck. We’re so happy to hear that you love your chandeliers.
Caroline
Felicia Palazzo
Could you please tell me where to find this dining room table?? Please!
Annika Dupree
Hi Felicia,
Isn’t that dining table stunning? It’s our Andrews Pedestal Dining Table, which you can find here: . It is shown in the post in whitewash,but comes in graywash as well.
Hope this helps!
Jane
Does the adding length plus width of the room apply to bedrooms also for chandeliers
Caroline McDonald
It does!
Casey
Can you do a round chandelier over a rectangle table?
Caroline McDonald
Casey,
Yes absolutely! Just be sure your chandelier isn’t wider than your table is narrow.
Kathy
Our dining room is 13×15-1/2 and we have a country French dining room set. Our table is rectangular (40×103 inches) and can accommodate 10 chairs. Our only light source is the chandelier. We want to replace the 6 candle (60 watt) chandelier with one that provides more light. Any suggestions on size or style?
Lucy
Hello,
I am deciding on the size of a chandelier for a dining room which is also the entry in a victorian home. The ceilings are very tall. We already have the dining room table. It is 44″ wide and with leaves is 80″ long. The room size is 15 x 16. I’m planning on offsetting the table and chandelier due to the front entry. Would a 24″ chandelier look too small?
Thanks for your help!
Caroline @ How to Decorate
Lucy,
We would love to help you with your space, but it’s hard to help without seeing your dining room. If you complete this form, and our Design Solutions team can see your space and contact you with suggestions!
jackie curtis
I am looking for the right crystal chandelier for a foyer 10 feet long, 7feet wide and 20 feet high. What would you suggest?
Caroline @ How to Decorate
Hi Jackie,
We actually offer free design services that can help you with this. Simply complete this form and our Design Solutions team will reach out to you. Be sure to include photos of your space so we can give you the most helpful advice and tips!
The How to Decorate Team
Debbie
Trying to decide on size of fixture that will not be hanging over table, but between two huge fans in a sun room 16 ft long and 10 ft wide! Thinking round iwon piece!
Caroline @ How to Decorate
Hi Debbie,
We actually offer free design services that can help you with your space. They’d be happy to give you some advice about a chandelier in your sunroom. Simply complete this form and our Design Solutions team will reach out to you. Be sure to include photos of your space so we can give you the most helpful advice and tips!
The How to Decorate Team
lisa
What size diameter is appropriate for hanging 2 Chandeliers over a kitchen island. The island size is 73″ long x 35″ high x 24″ deep.
THANK YOU!!
Caroline @ How to Decorate
Lisa,
The rule of thumb is to leave 30 inches of space between each light fixture over an island, and hang the pendants or chandeliers 30-36 inches above the island. Using that as a guideline, we suggest you look for fixtures between 15 and 20 inches in diameter.
Best of luck,
The How to Decorate Team
Becky Claridge
Hello, I’d appreciate your help in making a decision on a chandelier size. We do not have a formal dining room but a large “dining nook” with large windows on one side of the space. The room is sized 14.5 x 10 feet. We just bought a table that is 8 feet, 4 inches long by 42 inches wide. We are considering either a chandelier that is 23 x 23 or one that is 28 x 28 inches (diameter and height). Could you please help me decide which would be the more appropriate size for that space? As a related note, people in the kitchen will be looking out the large bank of windows that are the back (long) side of the dining nook. Thank you very much!!!
Caroline @ How to Decorate
Hi Becky,
This sounds like a beautiful dining space! We’re happy to help. We would suggest either the Alexis 8-Light Chandelier or the Cosette 6-Light Chandelier. Both of them are closer to the 28″ diameter, but because they are both very open and not heavy, either should work well in a space where you’d like to focus on an outdoor view! If you’d like to create a more formal, feminine space, we would suggest the Alexis. And for a more casual, cottage vibe, we would suggest the Cosette.
Best of Luck!
The How to Decorate Team
Susan Weisel
I recently ordered the orb pendant lights, in the petite size to hang above my island, which will be about 8 feet long. Should I go with 2 or 3 pendants, They are each about 12 inches in diameter. Thanks
Caroline @ How to Decorate
Hi Susan,
We would love to help you make a decision about your kitchen lighting. It’s hard to say for sure without knowing more about your space whether you need 2 or 3, but we do have an entire design team dedicated to helping customers solve decorating problems in their home. If you’d like to submit a question to them, go to this page and complete the form. Someone from our Design Solutions team can get back to you with a answer!
Looking forward to helping you with your space,
The How to Decorate Team
Lea Land
I am building a new home. The foyer is large with a rotunda. I want the entrance to be dramatic
so I bought a large 12 light crystal chandelier.
Now, I’m trying to decide the best lighting for the dining room which is right off the foyer. The dining furniture is a dark wood and heavy looking with straight back wooden chairs. Since the foyer and dining lights are so close, do I go with the same style as the foyer chandelier or should it be totally different to define the areas? I’m thinking of a wood look, candle style chandelier for dining. Is this too different?
Both areas are same color walls, trim, and wood floors.
Lea
Susan Cooper
Lee Land,I have the same situation with the foyer and dining room adjacent. What was the advice you were given?
Jill Antonucci
I am interested in purchasing the orb chandelier. I don’t know whether to purchase the small or large. Our entryway is 12X10 ( that area includes a closet and a flight of stairs). The ceiling height is approx. 16 feet.
Julie HILL
I am looking at the 6 arm Talia Chandelier. Do you think it would be too large for a 11’2″ x 11’10” dining room?
DeeAnn Esposito
This has been very helpful. Thank you. Does the same apply for lighting in the entry way?