4 Easy Steps to Determining the Perfect Size Dining Room Chandelier for Your Home

If you've ever walked into a home where the dining room chandelier was too large, or if you've installed a chandelier that just wasn't quite right for your room, then you know how important it is to get the size of your dining room chandelier right. After all, while it's nice to imagine that people are focusing their attention on stimulating conversation and fine food rather than on the lighting overhead, it's not realistic. Without the right-sized dining room light fixture hanging over your table, there's no way to get the sort of dramatic elegance that will make your guests feel more welcome in your space.

So what size dining room chandelier do you need? The short answer is: It depends! The long answer involves taking careful measurements and applying them to some simple formulas we've got ready for you below. With these tools in hand (and perhaps in hand with a friendly professional!), you'll be able to choose the perfect light fixture for your space—so let's get started!

1. Measure the length and width of your dining room

The size of the dining room chandelier is determined by the size of your dining room. The table should be in mind when looking for a light fixture. If you have a small square table, it’s going to look silly if it’s surrounded by a huge chandelier that makes it look like some sort of dollhouse. On the other hand, if you have an enormous rectangular table, then no matter how big or small your chandelier is, it will overpower everything else in the room and make everyone feel uncomfortable—especially if there are other large pieces such as sideboards or credenzas nearby!

The best way to find out how big your table should be is out of necessity: Measure what fits comfortably so that people can walk around without bumping into anything while still being able to see each other plainly. If there are windows directly behind where diners sit (which might be distracting), consider making sure they're closed off during dinner so guests don't get distracted by them while eating--and so they don't needlessly draw attention away from their conversation partners too!

Measure the length and width of your dining room. If the average size is between 15 and 20 feet long, you’ll have plenty of space for a chandelier that’s about 22 inches wide and 36 inches tall. If your dining room is larger than that, then you should consider a chandelier that’s about 30 inches in diameter.

The length doesn't necessarily determine how big or small a chandelier should be; it's all based on what kind of look you're going for. A smaller one will create more intimacy while a larger one can add drama to an otherwise bland room.

2. Two ways to determine the size of the dining room chandelier

1. The size of the dining room chandelier is determined by the size of your dining room. The table should be in mind when looking for a light fixture. If you have a small square table, it’s going to look silly if it’s surrounded by a huge chandelier that makes it look like some sort of dollhouse. On the other hand, if you have an enormous rectangular table, then no matter how big or small your chandelier is, it will overpower everything else in the room and make everyone feel uncomfortable—especially if there are other large pieces such as sideboards or credenzas nearby!

Chandelier Size Guide by Room Size:

Room Size (In Sq. Feet)	Recommended Width/Diameter
Under 90	Under 19“
90-225	20” - 29“
225-400	Over 30”
Over 400	Large chandeliers

2. The best way to find out how big your table should be is out of necessity: Measure what fits comfortably so that people can walk around without bumping into anything while still being able to see each other plainly. If there are windows directly behind where diners sit (which might be distracting), consider making sure they're closed off during dinner so guests don't get distracted by them while eating--and so they don't needlessly draw attention away from their conversation partners too!

A chandelier should be 12 inches smaller than the table width (or diameter if it’s a round table).

Table width – 12 inches = Chandelier size

Example: if your dining table is 42 inches wide, your chandelier should be 30 inches in diameter (42 – 12 = 30).

Here’s the handy chandeleir size guide that you can print out to keep in your purse or wallet to use the next time you are shopping for a chandelier!

Chandelier Size Calculation and Chart:

My Table Width (inches)	Subtract 12 inches	My Chandelier Size (inches)
	– 12	=

3.Measure ceiling height to determine the chandelier's height

Measure the ceiling height. Measure the distance between the bottom edge of your dining room’s ceiling and where you want to hang the chandelier.

Measure the chandelier's height. Measure from where it will hang to its highest point, making sure that there are no obstructions like light switches or electrical outlets at this distance.

• Measure the ceiling height, from the installation site to the floor. At this stage, ensure that the installation site is at least 4 feet away from any adjacent walls.
• For every foot, estimate 2.5" to 3" of chandelier height
• Multiply the ceiling height by the chandelier height
• Convert the measurement unit to inches

For example, if your dining room has an 8-foot ceiling, then a 24-inch chandelier is the best fit for your space. Click on the image below to print our chandelier sizing guide.

Determine if you need to raise or lower your chain length/downrod size. The chain or downrod is what attaches between your chandelier and ceiling, so if you have a high-ceilinged dining room but a low chandelier, it means you must use a longer chain/downrod than usual; likewise, if you have a low-ceilinged dining room but want a taller chandelier than usual (which may require additional hanging hardware).

Please note: The above calculations assume you have a ceiling height proportional to the room size. Therefore, if you have a large room and a low ceiling, such as an open floor plan, or a high ceiling and a small room, such as a foyer, this may not apply.

4. Determine the chain length or downrod size of the dining room chandelier

The fourth thing you need to do is determine the chain length or downrod size of the dining room chandelier. The chain length is the distance from the ceiling to the chandelier, while downrod size is the distance from the ceiling to the top of your dining room chandelier.

If your ceiling is less than eight feet high, your dining room chandelier should hang 30" to 34" from the table top to the bottom of the chandelier and be centered over the table. If your ceiling is higher than eight feet high, the recommended clearance is 36 to 40 inches.

• Measure the ceiling to the tabletop in inches = _____
• Minus the recommended installation height = 32” (8’ or less ceiling) or 38” (>8’ ceiling)
• Minus the chandelier height determined in Step 2 above = _____
• Chain length = _______ 

If you don’t already have a specific chandelier in mind, this can be hard to do on your own. A good rule of thumb is that if your dining room table sits 8-10 feet high (or higher), then a full-length version with a longer chain might be best because it will hang lower than those with shorter chains or downrods and create more light below it where people are sitting at their chairs or tables. If your table sits lower than 8 feet (or less) then consider going with something shorter so that it doesn’t overwhelm smaller spaces and make them feel too busy visually by drawing too much attention upward toward itself rather than outward toward other aspects such as artwork or architectural details in the room itself!

Many restaurant chandeliers already have designs that can adjust the chain length of the chandelier, so you just need to know what the longest and shortest chain length of the chandelier.

You can choose the perfect chandelier for your dining room now

There are plenty of places from which to choose, including:

• Online stores
• Local stores and boutiques
• Catalogs and magazines that offer custom lighting options.

Now that you have a better understanding of the design process and how to choose the right dining room chandelier for your home, you are ready to get started! Before making any final decisions, it’s always a good idea to go back through these four steps and consider them carefully. After all, choosing the right lighting is an important decision that can impact every aspect of your daily life. When you find something suitable for your needs, you will know it's time to make that investment in quality hardware.