Planning notes

Size & Placement

Starting points for a typical home, not installation rules. Check the size on the product page, and have an electrician install the fixture.

Check it in your own room

1. Sit where you eat

If the lowest crystal blocks the person across from you, trust that view over the chart.

2. Stand in the path

Have the tallest person stand in the walking path. Use the 7-foot and 7.5-foot clearances below.

3. Tape up cardboard

Tape cardboard to the width on the product page and leave it up for a day. Crystal looks larger in the room than in the photo.

4. Check before you order

The body height is fixed. Only the chain changes the drop. Ask an electrician if the ceiling box can hold the weight before you order.

Dining room and kitchen island 30–36 in above the table

Dining room and kitchen island

Round or dense crystal: use the shorter side, about one-half to two-thirds. A slim linear light uses the length, about one-third to one-half. Hang 30–36 inches from the surface to the lowest crystal. The drawing is a 72-inch table.

A heavy crystal light usually looks better toward the smaller end. If you still want the larger one, plan the table first.

Round or dense crystal. Use the shorter side.

Shorter sideStarting diameter
36 in18–24 in
42 in21–28 in
48 in24–32 in
54 in27–36 in
60 in30–40 in

Slim linear. Use the length, and stay within about one-third to one-half.

Table or island lengthStarting length
60 in20–30 in
72 in24–36 in
84 in28–42 in
96 in32–48 in
108 in36–54 in

On a round table, use the diameter. On a rectangle, do not size a round crystal light from the length.

Length and height on one table EXAMPLE · 72-inch table. Dashed line is eye level. 24–36 in long 72 in long 30–36 in lowest crystal to the tabletop or island Seated eye level
Upper arrow: fixture length. Lower arrow: table length. Vertical arrow: lowest crystal to the surface. The dashed line is eye level, not a size.
Foyer and entryway At least 7 ft clear

Foyer and entryway

Keep the lowest point at least 7 feet above the floor, and 7.5 feet where people walk. In a two-story foyer, also check the view from the stairs.

Leave clear space to walk belowFRONT VIEW · check the view from the stairs, too7–7.5 ftbottom to floorPerson shown for scaleUse 7.5 ft of clearance where people walk underneath.
Measure to the lowest crystal, then to the floor.
Living room Start near length + width

Living room

Over open floor, keep at least 7.5 feet to the lowest point. Add the room length and width in feet, and read that sum as a starting diameter in inches. A 16-by-12-foot room starts near 28 inches. Go smaller for a dense crystal body.

A starting size for your living roomEXAMPLE · feet become inches16 ft long12 ft wideSofaCoffee tableTOP VIEW · room length and width16 + 12 = 28Start near 28 in diameterFRONT VIEW · chandelier28 in diameterA starting estimate. Check it in the room.
16 ft + 12 ft = 28 inches across. That is the diameter, not the hanging height.
Bedroom 8-ft ceiling leaves about 12 in

Bedroom

An 8-foot ceiling leaves about 12 inches once you keep 7 feet clear. A flush or low light fits. Most hanging chandeliers need more than 12 inches with the canopy and chain.

Low ceiling? Choose a low-profile light8-FT CEILING EXAMPLE · clearance is not the person’s height12 in maxtotal fixture drop7 ft clearlight to floor8 ft8 ft ceiling − 7 ft clearance = up to 12 in total fixture drop.
The dashed line is the 7-foot clearance, not the person’s height.
Hallway About 2–2.5 in per foot of width

Hallway

Allow about 2 to 2.5 inches of diameter per foot of width. 2.5 is the top of the range, not the start. An 8-foot-wide hall is about 16 to 20 inches. Space the lights 8 to 10 feet apart, at least 7.5 feet above the floor.

Hallway width is wall to wallMeasure across the hall—not along its length8–10 ft apart8 ftwidthTOP VIEW · both lights on the centerlineExample: 8 ft wide × 2 to 2.5 = 16–20 in. 20 in is the top of the range.
Vertical arrow: hallway width. Horizontal arrow: space between the lights.

Ceiling lights, wall lamps, table lamps, and floor lampsOther lights

These do not use the chandelier drop. Each arrow marks the edges to measure.

Ceiling light Length + width, read as inches

Ceiling light

Add the room length and width in feet. That sum is a starting diameter in inches. A 10-by-14-foot room starts near 24 inches. On an 8-foot ceiling, choose a flush or low light.

RoomLength + widthStarting diameter
8 x 8 ft16 ft16 in
10 x 10 ft20 ft20 in
10 x 14 ft24 ft24 in
12 x 16 ft28 ft28 in
14 x 18 ft32 ft32 in, or two smaller lights
Size the ceiling light to the roomTOP VIEW + LOW-CEILING SIDE VIEW14 ft10 ft10 + 14 = 24Start near 24 in diameterLow-profile bodyFor low ceilings, check total drop as well as diameter.
Diameter comes from the two walls. An 8-foot ceiling needs a low body.
Wall lamp 60–72 in to the center

Wall lamp

Measure from the floor to the center of the backplate. Beside a bed, line it up with the person sitting up. Elsewhere, start at 60–72 inches. There is no standard width. Keep the shade clear of doors and the walking path.

PlacementHeight to center
Beside a bedLine the center up with the person sitting up
Living room60–72 in from the floor
Hallway60–72 in from the floor, about 8–10 ft apart
Measure to the backplate centerBeside a bed, match the person sitting upTo centerfloor to backplateBackplate centerLiving room / hall: 60–72 in to center is a starting range.
The arrow runs from the backplate center to the floor.
Table lamp 14–18 in to the shade bottom

Table lamp

Measure from the tabletop to the bottom of the shade, not the top and not the floor. On a 24-inch table, start at 14–18 inches. Keep the shade narrower than the top.

Table heightShade bottom above the tableShade width
22–24 in14–18 inNarrower than the top
26–28 in10–16 inNarrower than the top
30 in8–12 inNarrower than the top
Table lamp: stop at the shade bottomEXAMPLE · on a 22–24 in side tableSeated eye level14–18 intable to shade edgeMeasure from the tabletop—not the floor or the shade top.
The arrow stops at the bottom of the shade.
Floor lamp 38–42 in for reading

Floor lamp

Measure from the floor. For reading, the shade bottom should meet your eyes, about 38–42 inches up. A taller lamp, 58–64 inches to the top, is for general light. Keep an arc lamp’s base off the path.

UseWhat to measureStarting size
ReadingFloor to shade bottom38–42 in
General lightFloor to top of lamp58–64 in
ArcReach over the seatBase off the path
Reading lamp: measure up from the floorThe shade bottom sits near your eyes when seatedSeated eye level38–42 infloor to shade edge38–42 in is to the shade bottom—not the total lamp height.
38–42 inches is the shade bottom. 58–64 inches is the top of a taller lamp.