One of the most beautiful and elegant forms of lighting is the chandelier. A stained glass chandelier or pendant of the right kind and size can add a whole new dimension to a room.

Both chandeliers and pendants are lighting fixtures hung from the ceiling.

A chandelier has many arms and light bulbs. A pendant has one shade and usually one light bulb.

The size of the room determines which is used.

Stained Glass Chandelier for the Dining Room

Traditionally, you hang chandeliers in the dining rooms, adding atmosphere to the dining experience.

Chandeliers and pendants work best with dimmers in dining areas.

You can control the light mood from a state formal dinner to an intimate dinner for two and every mood in between.

Pendants and Chandeliers in Foyers & Lobbies

The use of chandeliers or pendants in foyers and lobbies has grown immensely popular this century,

Depending on the size of your lobby or foyer, a chandelier or pendant is an excellent way of providing ambient lighting to greet guests and to assure safe passage into other areas of your home.

Bedrooms, Family Rooms and Kitchens

Recently, chandeliers and pendants are appearing in other rooms of the house, including bedrooms, kitchens, family rooms, and bathrooms.

You use chandeliers and pendants with shades designed with bulbs facing down to adequately light game tables, homework areas, kitchen islands or to accent table settings.

Chandeliers with bulbs facing up reduce glare and provide artistic elements and mood lighting to a room.

Proper Way to Hang a Chandelier in a Dining Room

For the chandelier lighting to have the right impact on the room and its décor, the light must be hung properly. Here are a few tips to follow while hanging a chandelier light:

A chandelier hung in the dining room should hang in the middle of the dining table and the room.

It is best to buy a chandelier that is about a foot smaller than the width of your dinning table.

The bottom of the chandelier should be 30-34 inches above the table. Stained glass chandeliers have multiple bulbs and tend to shed a lot of light and heat. The amount of illumination that you will need for the dining room is based upon this formula: Length X Width X 1.5.

If a room is 12 X 15, then you will need bulbs that produce a combined total of roughly 270 watts. A chandelier with 6-40 watt will most likely provide adequate illumination, especially if complemented by wall sconces, buffet lamps, or other light fixtures.

Choosing a Chandelier or Pendant for Other Rooms

When choosing a chandelier for a foyer or other room keep in mind the length and width of the room. In general, the size of the room and its height determines the size of the chandelier or pendant.

Measure the length and width of the room, and add the numbers together, rounding to the nearest foot. For example, if your room measures 14' long and 10' wide add 14 to 10, with a result of 24'. Your chandelier or pendant should be 24 inches in diameter, and hang high enough to clear a tall person's head.

A dimmer should control a chandelier or pendant. Make sure that the dimmer works with the type of bulbs you are using. Incandescent, fluorescent, halogen bulbs all need specifically designed dimmers.

You may want to conceal the wire or chain of the chandelier or pendant with a sleeve of some decorative fabric.

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