How to Choose a Chandelier to Beautify your Dining Area

Lighting in your dining room area is important for how you and your guests enjoy your meal. In modern homes an informal and formal dining area are more common place, while more traditional homes may only have one dining area. Regardless of the form of dining area you have, the chandelier that adorns the space should feel welcoming and native to the dining room.  When choosing one, consider the size of your room, the décor and whether it’s for casual or formal dining. Read on to see tips for choosing a chandelier for your dining area.

What’s your décor style: Depending on your home, the dining area may be where your family congregates on Sundays for a huge dinner, or it may be an intimate area for you and a few friends. A chandelier should reflect your personal style and that of your home. For a casual dining room consider chandeliers with fabric lamp shades. Different than the typical lamp shade, dining room fixtures that hang down can be coupled with fabric and a down light.  This casts a soft glow in the room and delivers directional lighting too. Be original: Remember when chandeliers used to be comprised of 1000 pieces of lead crystal and they usually cost enough to furnish your entire house? Today chandeliers have come a long way. They no longer have to made of crystal and beads.  Nontraditional chandeliers can range from vintage glass bottles to sea shells! If you love crafts you can make your own from a light kit and your imagination. Your local arts and crafts or larger lighting stores will carry do-it-yourself light kits and have ideas for decorating it.

Focal point of the dining room: Chandeliers that are the main attraction of the dining room will never go out of style.  Often times an antique fixture in a modern dining room, or a red chandelier in a predominantly white room will give you added visual appeal.  Chandeliers can be the centerpiece of discussion at the table or they can be subdued and blend in beautifully with the surroundings.

Lighting can be sculptural: Often times chandeliers are thought of as brightly illuminating a space. Recently chandeliers have taken on a lighter and airy nature in forms of small candles and subtle lighting sources. Your dining room may be in an open floor plan concept and it receives plenty of light.  Use chandeliers as artwork and sculpture as opposed to having to be the obvious lighting source. The more you blur the lines of traditional and contemporary the more you will love your dining room space! Local artisans in your area may have creative chandeliers to make your dining room unique and special.

Chandeliers are gorgeous in today’s interior design. You have the choice of keeping the traditional look of the past or starting a new trend of your own! For those that build their own fixture, ensure that you use the proper electrical wiring and non flammable supplies for your chandelier masterpiece. Chandeliers are just one more way to make your home dining experience a true treat.

Freshome reader’s do you own a chandelier in your home? How did you decide on the fixture? If not, what type would you love to see in your home?