More Bling for Your Buck: How to Use Chandeliers at Home


Here at Pegasus, we recently added some brand new affordable chandeliers and pendant lights to our website. So, I think now is the perfect time to give you a few tips on how to use them. Read on for practical advice and some unexpected design inspiration for using chandeliers and hanging lights…

For the Dining Room:

I’m sure I only have to type the word “dining room” to make most everyone conjure up an image of a fancy table with an opulent chandelier. Though very little thought probably went into that association, adding a chandelier to your own dining room does take some planning. Two basic rules here:

1. A chandelier should always go about 30” above the table.

2. It should also be about 6” narrower than the width of the table on each side.

If you like the traditional look of a chandelier, but have a larger space to fill, try multiple fixtures instead of one large chandelier, which might look too bulky.

For the Living Room:

For those of you with a living room and dining room in one large space, or if your den has multiple seating areas, double chandeliers will also help the space look more cohesive.

For the Kitchen:

Even though it’s one of the more “functional” rooms in the home, a chandelier can add the perfect ambiance to your kitchen, making everyday tasks feel more fanciful.

While the 30” rule is a go-to for the dining room, a chandelier over an island or open counter top should rest slightly higher, as to not block your range of movement.

For the Foyer:

A chandelier or pendant in the foyer adds a needed focal point, and if you have a window above your door or off the staircase, unforgettable dramatics inside the house and out. Just make sure that if you do have a window, the light lines up with it.

When figuring out what size light to get for your foyer, simply add the length and width of the space, and convert that measurement to inches. For example, if your foyer is 12’ by 12’, than your chandelier should be about 24” wide.

For the Bathroom:

Putting a chandelier in the bathroom is an unexpected choice, but one that will make it feel more personal and luxurious. Just make sure whatever fixture you choose is approved for use in wet locations. (A bathroom chandelier might be shocking – but it shouldn’t be that shocking!)

Annie Josey

Annie was the E-Commerce Marketing Specialist at Pegasus Lighting from June 2012 to October 2013. She has a background in English literature, and loves using language to help illuminate the world. So covering lighting news and tips naturally fit her interests. In her personal time she enjoys painting, biking, and reading.