where to hang a chandeliers
Exactly where chandelier goes in the room is an important design consideration.
A chandelier is usually a significant part of a room's decorative scheme
and has a strong visual presence. The first thing to consider is the
wiring because it involves not only electrical work, but often
carpentry, plasterwork, and painting. So where to place the junction
box, which will determine where the chandelier will be hung, is something
you want to get right the first time. This is often a decision that
needs to be made during construction or renovation and so it is often
made in advance of choosing the exact fixture. You can make this
decision while you're standing in the room with your contractor, but it
might be better to start thinking about it with the aid of a floor plan.
using a floor plan for chandeliers placement
If the chandelier will be hung over a table, either in the hall or the dining
room it is important that you determine the exact placement of the
table, because the chandelier, in turn, needs to be
centered over it. The table and chandelier together become an
inseparable unit.
Generally, chandeliers over tables are hung below
average head height so if you move the table, you'll bump your head.
Chandeliers that are not exactly centered over a table look awkward and
poorly planned. Using a floor plan, you can make sure that there is
adequate space to walk all around the table if it's in a hall or
library, and room for chairs in the case of a dining table. There has to
be enough room around the chairs, even when they're occupied, to pass
by. Once you've placed the table, the chandelier simply gets centered
above it. If you are uncomfortable using a floor plan, a large piece of
cardboard cut to the size of the table works just as well.
chandeliers height adjustment
The second consideration is the height, "How high should
I hang the chandelier?" This is easier in a
living room or library or den, where the chandelier is hanging above you
and you should pass under it. The final height is determine once the
exact chandelier is chosen such that their is enough clearance to walk under
comfortably and high enough that it is not in your peripheral vision
such that you feel the need to duck every time you pass under it. The
chandelier should be centered in the room or aligned architecturally and
you should not worry about the furnishings below it. In other words, if
there are significant architectural features in the room - a fireplace,
and arched opening, a pair of windows - use those as a guide for the
chandeliers placement.
If the chandelier is to be hung above a dining table, the lowest point of the chandelier should be 36"
above it, this allows a pair of diners to see across the table when
seated. The chandelier should be centered above the table surface.
