Chandelier
The piece everyone looks up at
A chandelier tells you what kind of room you're in before the light is even switched on. Crystal, glass, metal, modern or traditional — it's a statement first, a light fitting second.
Choosing the right chandelier for your space
A chandelier is rarely an impulse buy — and it shouldn't be. It's the single piece of lighting most likely to define a room for the next decade, so it pays to get the sizing, the style and the ceiling height right before anything else.
Our range covers everything from traditional cut-crystal chandeliers and classic candle-branch designs to modern LED ring pendants and sculptural contemporary pieces. The right choice depends on three things: the room's size, its ceiling height, and whether the chandelier needs to complement existing decor or set the tone for a new scheme.
Sizing a chandelier to the room
The quick sizing rule: add the length and width of the room in metres, then use that number in inches as a rough diameter guide. A 5m x 6m room suits a chandelier around 28cm in diameter. For a dining chandelier hung over a table, the diameter should be around half to two-thirds the table's width, with the bottom of the chandelier sitting 75–90cm above the tabletop.
Drop length matters almost as much. For rooms with standard 2.4m ceilings, keep the chandelier drop short — 30–50cm is usually right, or consider a semi-flush chandelier. For rooms with ceilings 2.7m and above, you have room to go longer; a 60–90cm drop feels balanced, and in hallways or stairwells with 3m+ ceilings a multi-tier chandelier starts to earn its space.
Chandelier styles worth knowing
Crystal chandeliers are the classic statement piece — cascading glass or lead-crystal drops that throw light across the room. Works best in traditional and transitional interiors, dining rooms, formal living rooms and large entrance halls. Needs decent ceiling height to show off properly.
Candle-branch chandeliers take the traditional chandelier silhouette and strip it back — metal arms, candle-style bulbs, sometimes with a small shade on each. Works in almost any room and sits comfortably alongside both period and modern furniture.
Modern and contemporary chandeliers step away from the ornate and lean into geometry: rings, halos, asymmetric drops and integrated LED bars. Ideal in open-plan living, stairwells with clean lines, and any modern room that needs a single design-led focal point.
Tiered chandeliers stack two or more rings of lights at different heights. Made for double-height hallways, stairwells and vaulted ceilings where a single-level fitting would be lost.
Ceiling height, weight and installation
A chandelier is usually heavier than a standard pendant, sometimes significantly so. Always check the product weight against your existing ceiling rose and joist — anything over 5kg should be supported by a proper fixing into a joist or a rated ceiling hook, not just a plasterboard fitting.
Almost all chandeliers should be installed by a qualified electrician. The combination of weight, cable routing through multiple arms, and the need to balance the fitting on a single chain or rod means a professional installation is the right call — and it protects the warranty on most brands.
Bulbs, dimming and warmth
Most chandeliers take small E14 candle-style bulbs, often four to fifteen of them. LED filament candle bulbs in warm white (2700K) are the right default — they mimic the warm flicker of incandescents, run cool enough for fabric and crystal shades, and dim smoothly on a modern LED dimmer.
Dimming is where a chandelier earns its keep: full brightness for cleaning and entertaining, a low warm glow for a dinner party or an evening in. Pair a dimmable chandelier with a trailing-edge LED dimmer switch and dimmable LED bulbs — older rotary dimmers cause flicker and buzz.
Frequently asked questions
How big should my chandelier be?
Add the room's length and width in metres — the total in inches is a rough guide for the chandelier diameter. For a dining chandelier, aim for half to two-thirds the table width. Always cross-check against ceiling height: a large-diameter chandelier on a low ceiling looks crushed.
Can I hang a chandelier over a dining table?
Yes — this is one of the most popular places for a chandelier. Keep the bottom of the fitting 75–90cm above the tabletop and centre it on the table, not the room. If the table isn't central in the room, either hang the chandelier off-centre to match the table, or choose a pendant arrangement instead.
Will a chandelier work with a low ceiling?
A standard chandelier on a ceiling under 2.4m usually doesn't work — the drop eats too much vertical space. Either choose a semi-flush chandelier designed for low ceilings, or pick a pendant-style fitting with a short drop. Our ceiling lights range has semi-flush options styled like small chandeliers.
Do I need an electrician to fit a chandelier?
In almost all cases, yes. Chandeliers are heavier than pendants, often have multiple cables running through the arms, and need a securely rated ceiling fixing. A qualified electrician will also check the existing rose and bracing before fitting, which protects the warranty on most brands.
Can I dim a chandelier?
Most chandeliers are dimmable, but it depends on the bulbs and the dimmer switch. Pair a chandelier with dimmable LED candle bulbs and a trailing-edge LED-rated dimmer for smooth, flicker-free dimming across the full range.
What bulb does a chandelier take?
Most chandeliers use small E14 candle bulbs, with anywhere from three to fifteen in a single fitting. Some modern ring chandeliers use integrated LED strips instead. Check the product page for the exact cap type, quantity and maximum wattage before ordering bulbs.
Related categories
- Pendant Lights — when you want a statement ceiling light without the scale of a chandelier
- Ceiling Lights — flush and semi-flush chandelier-style fittings for lower ceilings
- Crystal Finish — every fitting in the range with a crystal detail, filtered to one page
- Wall Lights — match a chandelier's finish with coordinating wall lights
- Traditional Lighting — the full traditional range if you're styling a period or classic room