Best Chandelier Buyers Guide

You can choose between very different models, classic crystal chandeliers or even antique chandeliers or modern chandeliers. One of the things to keep in mind when purchasing is that the pendant light must fit into the room: a small chandelier looks lost in a large room. If the chandelier is big, you should not use it in a small room. 

Our Chandelier buyers guide will help you to find the best chandelier for your room. After all, there are very different types of chandeliers and some important points to consider when buying. The most important things to consider and the information in our post will surely make your purchase decision easier.

Chandeliers are available in a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. You can decorate and enhance the appearance of any room with them.

You can equip your chandelier with energy-saving lamps, LED bulbs, incandescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps or halogen lamps.

The workmanship, weight, material, dimensions, and design are decisive criteria that you should consider when choosing a chandelier.

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Buyers Guide for Best Chandelier

Types of chandeliers and which is the right one for you

You can use chandeliers as ceiling lights or pendant lights. The following section briefly introduces four different types:

• Classic candlesticks
• Venetian candlestick
• Modern candlesticks
• Retro chandelier

Chandeliers consist of several light sources and materials, which help to refract light. This interplay of the elements leads to the desired lighting effect. 

For centuries, chandeliers have served as important design objects in decorating palaces, religious sites, theaters, operas and of course private households.

A wide variety of models allows you to give your interior a personal and extravagant touch or to underline it.

Chandeliers can differ based on their shape, application, color, and materials. Most chandeliers are ceiling lights, but you can also use them as wall lights or floor lamps.

They consist of various materials such as brass, silver, bronze, chrome, or glass, crystal, and wood. Crystal chandeliers create a special play of lights and are therefore very popular. 

In the past, chandeliers were lit with candles. With the advancement of technology, however, nowadays they have different types of lamps such as LEDs.

Finally, the stylistic differences between chandeliers are also noteworthy. Classic variations are available in basket shape or made of Murano glass. In addition to these models, there is a variety of chandeliers that perfectly adapt to a modern style of furnishing.

Where can I find my ideal chandelier?

You can purchase chandeliers in specialist shops, in antique shops or of course on the Internet. In the shop, one can examine the product on the spot. However, there is often a lack of variation in the stores. 

Buying online does not limit your choice! Furthermore, you can also order from anywhere and have the delivery to your home. 

How much is a chandelier?

In terms of price, there are no limits, as there are models whose production and materials alone cost a lot. Add to that the design and the name, if it is from a well-known manufacturer.

Models with artificial crystals start from about 30 dollars.

You can pay 150 or up to 30,000 dollars for a multi-arm crystal or glass chandelier. Imitations of antiques are usually a bit cheaper than the originals. 

For a retro chandelier, you sometimes have to leaf down a few thousand. Of course, cheaper models with artificial crystals are also available from 30 dollars.

Use of chandelier to complement the design

Chandeliers are eye-catchers and you can use them specifically to contrast with or complement the decor. When buying a chandelier, make sure that it fits into the room it is intended for. This affects both the size, as well as the style and the furnishings.

While in smaller rooms you should rather use smaller chandeliers and for large rooms use a massive crystal chandelier is perfect.

On the other hand, gold or brass chandelier, a glass chandelier or a chandelier in a country or vintage style is more appropriate depending on the furnishings. 

Lamps for chandeliers

Nowadays, even in chandeliers, LED lighting is becoming more and more popular. If you want the most energy-efficient chandelier possible, you should resort to this variant.

It is great that there are even LED lights in the form of candles for some time now. This make the chandelier look almost like in the old days, gives pleasant light and still consume little energy.

How to find the perfect bulb?

How much watts (the amount of energy it can produce) has your light bulb? See that the wattage matches that of your lamp!

How much lumen (the amount of light that it can produce)? The more lumens, the more it looks like sunlight.

For example: E number = outer diameter of the thread!

E27 = outer thread = 27 mm

Which shape suits your chandelier?

Pears, – spiral, drop, ball, flame shape

Which color temperature?

Types of lamps

This table gives you an overview of different bulbs and how they compare to conventional light bulbs:

Energy-saving lamps & LED lamps

Both LEDs and Energy saving lamps save electricity and are energy efficient. Energy-saving lamps are cheaper to buy than LEDs, but they do not last as long and release mercury when broken. 

LED bulbs cost more than energy-saving lamps when you buy them, but they are significantly more robust and offer a wide range of light colors.

Factors to compare Chandeliers

Since chandeliers are furnishing and lighting items in one, the choice of the ideal lamp is often a little difficult. In the following section, we would like to give you some useful tips on how to make the right decision when making a purchase.

We have summarized the following purchase criteria as a guideline:

• Weight
• Light
• Material
• Dimensions
• Design

Tip: Take a look at our comparison table for chandeliers! There you can take a look at the products and have an overview of the criteria!

Weight

To make sure that your chandelier doesn’t fall on your head, determine the load-bearing capacity of your ceiling. With our instructions, you can do this a little easier. If you have a concrete ceiling, the weight of your chandelier shouldn’t play a big role. With the right attachment, your ceiling can withstand almost anything.

It can get tricky with old ceilings – you should hang a heavy lamp here directly on the ceiling beams. With a plasterboard ceiling, you can attach chandeliers up to 3 kg directly to the plasterboard and up to 10 kg to the substructure.

You should only start looking for the ideal lighting fixture once you are clear about the weight holding capacity of your ceiling.

Light

Depending on what kind of lighting effect you want to create, the following points can help you decide:

How many light bulbs should my chandelier have?

There are 1-lamp models, but also 12-lamp models. Single lamp models mostly have crystal curtains or, in modern models, a kind of “raindrop optics” – the light is ideally reflected by the light bulb and ensures a great play of lights.

If you prefer a simple model, but still want enough light, the multi-bulb model would be ideal.

Which lighting effect do I want?

Crystals reflect the light in several colors. If you want a similar effect, but crystals don’t fit your room style, you can look for models made of glass. There is also the possibility to choose colorful glass – so you can also opt for a warm or rather colder light temperature.

For a more indirect, soft light, look for models with lampshades. If it is important for your purchase decision which accessories are necessary, you can find out more from our guide.

In short, your chandelier should complement the furnishings in your room and impresses with elegance.

Material

The choice of the right material for your chandelier is a decisive factor, which depends on your decor, the wall color, and preference. You should pay special attention here since you also need to clean your chandelier now and then.

Chandeliers are conventionally made from the following materials: metal, glass, crystal glass, textile (if there are shades, then usually made of glass or textile). 

Many factors depend on the material of your chandelier:

• The weight
• Light effect
• The style

Certain materials are typical for some designs. Classic chandeliers, however, are mostly covered with crystals. However, there are also modern models where the paper screen can produce extraordinary effects.

If you feel that the material is in line with your interior and that the colors and texture match, you can simply listen to your gut feeling.

Dimensions

As with any piece of furniture, before buying measure the space that the furniture may take maximum!

This depends on the height and size of the room and the rest of the facility. If the chandelier hangs over a dining table, it should not be too large and should not hang too low. 

As a precaution, try not to choose the smallest possible model, but make sure that the size of your chandelier fits proportionally in the room and does not disturb the eye. 

If you can’t imagine how the chandelier will work in the room, or you don’t have any furnishings yet, make sure to get a second opinion!

In 2000, the company received an entry in the Guinness Book of Records for the largest chandelier hanging since 2007 in a mosque in Oman.

Design

After looking at different models for hours, you may lose any feeling for how the chandelier should fit into the corresponding room. At some point you will only be looking for the perfect model – but not for the ideal chandelier for your interior.

When buying, remember that you don’t hang the chandelier in an empty room, but usually in one that is already set up. 

If you want to have a chandelier, but you are not sure which style fits your interior, you can ask yourself the following questions before buying:

For which room

• Living room, bedroom, dining room, bathroom, etc.

Style of the room

• Modern, classic, minimalist

Which colors does the furniture have?

What color is the wall painted in?

Which piece of furniture should it hangover?

• Table, sofa, coffee table, bathtub, bed

Things to consider

Depending on what is particularly important to you about a chandelier, there are other things that you should pay attention to.

Dimmability: If the chandelier is compatible with a dimmer, you can adjust the intensity of the light at any time according to your needs.

The number of bulbs: The more “lamps”, that is to say sockets for light bulbs, the brighter it can be and the more it stands out. However, energy consumption also increases.

Sockets and watts: Pay attention to which bulbs you need. Most chandeliers have E14 sockets. The wattages are usually between 25 and 40.

Easy care: The more elaborate and pompous a chandelier is decorated and the more crystals or glass parts there are, the more difficult it is to clean. Don’t forget that when choosing. It is good if you can remove individual parts for cleaning.

Length of the chain: The chain of the chandelier should be long enough, especially if you want to hang it in a very high room. 

If a chain is only 60 centimeters long, it can be difficult to hang the chandelier at the correct height. This point therefore also plays an important role in a chandelier selection.

FAQ about Chandeliers

How do I hang up a chandelier?

At first, hanging a chandelier seems like an impossible task. With our step-by-step instructions, you can also climb this mountain!

Check the ceiling and weight of the chandelier

Before you buy your chandelier, you should check the load-bearing capacity of your ceiling. 

It depends on whether you have a concrete ceiling, old building ceiling, suspended ceiling, or plasterboard ceiling. When buying, make sure that your ceiling can hold the model you want. The weight of your chandelier is usually specified by the manufacturer.

Turn off the power

First, of course, you should switch off the power supply via the corresponding switch in the room. Alternatively, unscrew the fuse for the fixture you want to replace. If the circuits are not marked, test them by trying them out until you have switched them off.

If the fuse box is also accessible to other people, write a note so that nobody turns on the power again while you are assembling. To make sure you’ve turned off the power, turn the lights on and off and check. 

Remove the parts of the old attachment

For this step, you will most likely need a ladder and a screwdriver or key. It’s best to have the attachment held by a helper while you unscrew it and remove it from the ceiling.

First remove the light cover, light bulb, if present, and then the parts of the old fastening. You shouldn’t remove the cables yet and make sure that you don’t let the old attachment hang without a bracket.

Disconnect the wiring

Usually there is 2-3 cables attachment from your electrical system. If these can not be identified by colors or lettering, mark them yourself, eg with colored adhesive tape.

You can then disconnect the wiring by unscrewing the plastic connections counter-clockwise and removing the cables. 

Now it’s time to get down to business and you can install your chandelier.

Shorten the chain and cable

Measure how long the chain should be and shorten it if necessary. There should be a distance of 2 m between the floor and your pendant lamp. 

If it hangs over a table, the distance to the table should be 75 cm. The distance to the ceiling should be at least 30-50 cm.

Attach the assembly box

Now you can attach the mounting box, behind which you can hide the cables. Usually manufacturer provide chandelier with a mounting bar (otherwise one is available at the hardware store). You attach this to your assembly box.

Luster clamp

If necessary, attach a luster clamp to the cable. You can use them to connect several cables.

Establish electrical connection

In this step, connect the cables of the chandelier to the power connector. There are usually three cables at this point: a blue, a brown (sometimes black or gray) and a yellow-green.

The brown is the outer conductor, the blue is the protective conductor and the yellow-green is the grounding, which is usually not available in old buildings. 

If necessary, shorten the cables 

Then remove the sheath (approx. 5-6 cm) from the cables with a cutter. Simply cut in, pull off, and turn with the cutter. Please be careful when you connect the cables.

Hang up the chandelier

Now your help should hold the chandelier to the holder or dowel while you screw it on. Check that the hold is secure and push the canopy up until the cable is covered. 

Now you can install a lamp and switch on the fuse.

Two things are important:

You must turn off the power before hanging the chandelier.

You must ensure that your ceiling can support the weight of the pendant light. After all, some models weigh five kilograms or more.

Find a stable beam and anchor the screws.

Especially in the 18th century, the chandeliers had their heyday. They were considered a status symbol and were often expensive than paintings.

How do I clean my chandelier?

Chandeliers impress with their opulence and their elaborate design. Crystal chandeliers or models made from Murano glass are unfortunately ideal dust catchers. Therefore, it is important to clean them regularly. 

Treat your chandelier like a piece of jewelry and be careful not to damage or detach the crystal curtain while cleaning. We have summarized some household tips that will also make this task easier for you.

Remove the coarsest dust with a brush or feather duster. Here you can also use a blush brush for other purposes. This makes it easier to get to the small corners between the crystals. Rouge brushes are available in different sizes.

Now that the coarse dust is gone, you can remove the finer deposits. If you need water to clean stubborn dirt, be sure to turn off the power beforehand.

To remove the coarse dirt residue, dampen a cloth with water and scrub it carefully. Please do not switch the fuse back on immediately after cleaning, but only when your chandelier is completely dry.

If you don’t want to buy a chandelier or crystal cleaner, you can mix the following:

• 5 L of water
• 250 ml of vinegar
• A few dashes of shampoo

Chandeliers with removable parts are relatively easy to clean. You can wash them in the sink with detergent.

But first, lay out the bottom of the sink with a cloth so that the delicate parts do not get scratches. Then dry the parts well – this is great with a microfiber cloth – until they shine again.

Parts that are not removable or entire chandeliers that have no removable parts at all can only be cleaned as a whole. 

To do this, you either have to climb a ladder or remove it or carefully clean it on the bottom.

In any case, a light detergent water mixture is sufficient. You can also clean metal parts with a glass cleaner.

Tip: If you have a chandelier with a curtain, you can usually remove and wash it. You should do this about once a month, as a lot of dust accumulates here.

How high do you hang chandeliers?

It is generally said that hanging lamps should hang between 2.10 and 2.45 meters above the floor, so that tall people can stand well underneath. If the chandelier is to hang over a dining table, the distance between the table and the chandelier should be at least 70 cm. But it can also be a little bigger. Ultimately, it’s also a question of proportions.

In a high room, the chandelier can hang a little higher. If it is placed too high, it will not work properly anymore.