ChandeliersChandeliers were first used to light churches and halls in medieval times; although they were much less ornate than those we use in our homes today ? usually a simple wooden cross holding candles. Through the ages the chandelier developed into something of a status symbol becoming more decorative and more ornate in line with the current style favoured by high society. It was not until the eighteenth century when developments in glass production meant that crystal chandeliers could be produced on mass.Traditionally chandeliers were used to add a decorative element to dinning rooms. Today however, they are hugely popular both as a light fixture and as d?cor statements throughout the home. Chandeliers are available in such a huge range of shapes, sizes and styles ranging from dramatic art pieces in crystal and wrought iron to more simplistic, contemporary forms. Whichever style of chandelier you choose, you can guarantee that it will add something more than just light to the room; by their very nature they create a sense of drama. With so many varieties of chandelier to choose from it can be difficult to decide which shape or size would look best in a particular room. There are several guidelines which relate to chandelier size. For instance, when choosing a chandelier for your dinning room, you should aim to look for one that is at least twelve inches narrower in diameter than your dinning room table and about half the length long ? by following this principle you should have a chandelier that makes a dramatic statement without crowding the room. When selecting a chandelier for a hallway or living room, the general rule is to add the width of the room (in feet) to the length of the room (also in feet) and this should give you the optimum diameter of chandelier (in inches) to use in that room (i.e. if you have a room which is 20? wide by 24? long, the ideal width of your chandelier would be around 44?). These are only guidelines and the choice of chandelier is of course dependent on individual preference. Again there are guidelines as to how to hang a chandelier, the most popular being to mount it 30 - 34 inches over your dining room table ? this is the recommendation for an 8? room, however you should mount it 3? higher for each additional foot. Again, in other living spaces it really is down to individual preference, although you need to ensure that the chandelier is not placed so low that it is not high enough to walk under. When fitted with a dimmer switch, chandeliers can be used to provide both functional lighting and more discrete mood lighting. Additionally, to avoid glare, for a chandelier designed to hold 2 light bulbs you should use no more than a 60 watt bulb and for those designed for 3 or more bulbs, no more that 40 watt bulbs should be used. It is also possible to use energy saving and low wattage bulbs on chandeliers and they will still provide a dazzling effect. With the above guidelines in mind and the huge range of chandeliers available and the sense of drama and atmosphere they bring, there is no excuse not to install a chandelier in every room in your house. |
Home Light Sources: Ceiling Lights Chandeliers Chrismas Lights Energy Saving Lights Fan Lights Fibre Optic Lights Garden Lights Grow Lights Lamps LED Lights Mood Lights Neon Lights Night Lights Pendant Lights Rope Lights Salt Lamps Sconces Security Lights Solar Powered Lights Spotlights Under Cabinet Lights Lighting The Home: Bathroom Lighting Bedroom Lighting Children's Lighting Dining Room Lighting Hall Lighting Home Office Lighting Kitchen Lighting Living Room Lighting Outdoor Lighting Security Lighting Lighting Tips: Light Bulbs Lighting Controls Types of Lighting Methods of Lighting Room Lighting Christmas Lighting Suggestions Fibre Optic Lighting Suggestions |