How to Make Space for a Chandelier in a Small Home
Be it a compact bedroom or a tiny kitchen, no space is too small for a chandelier
Chandeliers evoke images of glamour and grandeur – and large amounts of space. The first two are spot on; the last, not quite. We show you how to introduce a glitzy chandelier in a compact space, while maintaining a perfect balance between functionality and style.
1. Follow form…
When deciding on the perfect chandelier for a small area, your decision depends on the room’s size, and the layout and shape of the furniture (if any). In a space such as this kitchen-cum-dining-room, where everything is linear, including the space size, the recessed ceiling and the dining table, it would be odd to have any shape other than rectangular. The series of lights fixed on a horizontal bar is a perfect fit for this kitchen.
Take advice from the Houzz community
When deciding on the perfect chandelier for a small area, your decision depends on the room’s size, and the layout and shape of the furniture (if any). In a space such as this kitchen-cum-dining-room, where everything is linear, including the space size, the recessed ceiling and the dining table, it would be odd to have any shape other than rectangular. The series of lights fixed on a horizontal bar is a perfect fit for this kitchen.
Take advice from the Houzz community
2. …and proportion
Going by the rules one would typically pick a long, rectangular installation for this single, deep space. But, the dinette at the end of the room changes the proportions of the linear form, allowing one to try a globular fixture, and succeeding spectacularly.
Browse to see more light designs
Going by the rules one would typically pick a long, rectangular installation for this single, deep space. But, the dinette at the end of the room changes the proportions of the linear form, allowing one to try a globular fixture, and succeeding spectacularly.
Browse to see more light designs
3. Matching isn’t always bad
Small spaces can benefit from uniformity, making the them look larger. Here, charcoal interiors are dressed up and accentuated with an all-black chandelier that creates a statement with simple dignity. So, go ahead and match away – dark colours…
Small spaces can benefit from uniformity, making the them look larger. Here, charcoal interiors are dressed up and accentuated with an all-black chandelier that creates a statement with simple dignity. So, go ahead and match away – dark colours…
4. Define space
Small or studio apartments, where open-plan spaces need to be defined by space separators, such as area rugs or a piece of furniture, chandeliers can do the job just as effectively and efficiently – and make a statement while doing it. Here, a stunning chandelier marks out the dining area while providing an inarguably chic sense of style in this hard-working little room.
Small or studio apartments, where open-plan spaces need to be defined by space separators, such as area rugs or a piece of furniture, chandeliers can do the job just as effectively and efficiently – and make a statement while doing it. Here, a stunning chandelier marks out the dining area while providing an inarguably chic sense of style in this hard-working little room.
5. Shrink them
Love the glitz and glamour of an oversized crystal chandelier but can’t fit it in your space? Look for its scaled-down version that is true to bigger designs in its shape and materials, but is a fraction of the size – and cost.
Tip: Shop in the kids’ section of furniture and lifestyle stores; you’ll be surprised at the mini chandeliers you can find there.
Love the glitz and glamour of an oversized crystal chandelier but can’t fit it in your space? Look for its scaled-down version that is true to bigger designs in its shape and materials, but is a fraction of the size – and cost.
Tip: Shop in the kids’ section of furniture and lifestyle stores; you’ll be surprised at the mini chandeliers you can find there.
6. Recess the ceiling
A drastic measure in case your ceiling is too low, yes, but the heart wants what it wants. In small bedrooms, the bed tends to dominate the room. But a high ceiling can accommodate oversized tiered designs, such as this bejewelled one, which adds a healthy dose of glamour besides making the room more intimate.
Tip: Add a dimmer switch to avoid harsh overhead light in your sleep space.
A drastic measure in case your ceiling is too low, yes, but the heart wants what it wants. In small bedrooms, the bed tends to dominate the room. But a high ceiling can accommodate oversized tiered designs, such as this bejewelled one, which adds a healthy dose of glamour besides making the room more intimate.
Tip: Add a dimmer switch to avoid harsh overhead light in your sleep space.
7. Any place is a good place
Small spaces can be restrictive in terms of finding just the right place to hang a chandelier, which is normally used to highlight a dining table, a bed or an entire room. In such cases, work on the principle: have space, will hang. Where you decide to hang your chandelier will make or break the spot, be it a niche – or beside a cabinet.
Small spaces can be restrictive in terms of finding just the right place to hang a chandelier, which is normally used to highlight a dining table, a bed or an entire room. In such cases, work on the principle: have space, will hang. Where you decide to hang your chandelier will make or break the spot, be it a niche – or beside a cabinet.
8. Move away from the focal point
For the apartment bedroom that finds itself tight on ceiling space (being too small or too low, as in this image), look away from the typical focal point (over the bed, in this case). Suspend your chandelier on the side, where it can do double-duty as a bedside lamp, too.
For the apartment bedroom that finds itself tight on ceiling space (being too small or too low, as in this image), look away from the typical focal point (over the bed, in this case). Suspend your chandelier on the side, where it can do double-duty as a bedside lamp, too.
9. Make your own ceiling
Look for other locations for a chandelier besides the ceiling. This allows you to squeeze your must-have piece into a recess, or suspend it from a beam, a window frame – or a four poster bed, as shown here.
Read more:
7 Chandeliers That Cast a Spell in Petite Areas
14 Beautiful Chandeliers for All Spaces
Tell us:
Do you have a chandelier in your home? Do share the image in the Comments section below.
Look for other locations for a chandelier besides the ceiling. This allows you to squeeze your must-have piece into a recess, or suspend it from a beam, a window frame – or a four poster bed, as shown here.
Read more:
7 Chandeliers That Cast a Spell in Petite Areas
14 Beautiful Chandeliers for All Spaces
Tell us:
Do you have a chandelier in your home? Do share the image in the Comments section below.
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Which is, to choose a chandelier that’s correct for the size of your room. While this depends mostly on perception and proportion, there is a mathematical formula for those in doubt: add the length and breadth of the room in feet; the result in inches would be the desired diameter of your chandelier. (So, if length, 18 feet + breadth, 20 feet = 38 feet, the diameter of your chandelier should be around 38 inches.)
Tip: If you find a chandelier is either too big or too small for your space, it’s a safe bet to put in two small ones.
Now, that you know how to make your pick in terms of size, let’s see how we can fit it into small spaces.
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