Want a deluge of lighting in your living room? Or a showstopper luminaire for your bedroom. Then investing in a chandelier may be the right thing to do. There are multiple narratives of design and reasons to opt for this unique lighting installation in your space. According to Eleanore Cavalli, Art Director, Vissionaire, the Italian Luxury furniture brand, “Whether the chandelier is modern, formal or casual, it is able to capture attention in a way that many other light fixtures can’t. Being the centre of attention is no small feat, but chandeliers easily create a focal point in any room. Whether you go with vintage inspired, modern luxe, industrial or something in between, think about the style of your space and what message you are trying to send with your chandelier choice. If your room if full of architectural interest and charm- something elegant, classic and traditional will compliment perfectly.”
Size does matter. The luminaire should be that one thing that proportionately fills up the spatial volume. The design should also have at least four feet distance from the room walls, making sure that your chandelier ‘floats’ with enough space around it.
According to designer Shantanu Garg, “As far as volumetric proportions and spatial geometry is concerned chandelier as a suspension fills up the empty space and helps in adding visual drama and anchoring the layout.”
In large spaces and lobby, it helps in adding sense of space and anchor the furniture layout like dining table setting and lounges etc. Moreover, it helps in giving a contextual approach to space, and helps in conveying local or regional design sensibilities. For e.g. if space is modern and one wants to add Indian sensibility, the use the Indian traditional glass chandeliers influenced by ottoman style or an antique old piece would be a great idea to infuse past, create contrast and achieve visual balance in space.
What are the types of chandeliers available in the market? They can be classified on the basis of their structural dynamics such as single suspension or multi suspension.
The second classification is on the basis of design philosophy such as modern, traditional, contemporary, art deco etc. For example, during mid-19th century after industrial revolution, Art Deco design practice boomed and even objects and lighting played inevitable role in incorporating Art Deco attributes in space. Chandeliers can also be identified by their techniques of production such as the glass blown chandelier made in Turkey and Murano Italy or the classical metal chandeliers made by using lost wax casting technique seen in Victorian and classical design space.
The final classification comes on the basis of its setting – it could be a homogenous setting or a cluster chandelier composed of repetition of a unit or varied units.
The pricing of chandelier ranges from a few thousands to a few lakhs. The premium range of chandeliers are priced Rs 5 lakh upwards. For instance, the Italian Luxury brand Vissionaire has an exclusive selection of chandeliers to match the décor of contemporary and traditional homes, priced Rs 655,000 onwards.
- For every foot of ceiling height allow 2-3 inches in chandelier height.
- To find your perfect size- add the length and width of your room and convert the total to inches. For example, a room that’s 12-feet x 14-feet would require a design that’s around 26-inches wide
- For a chandelier for dining area, it should be about 12 inches narrower than the dining table surface.
- Sometimes one chandelier is the perfect size above a dining table or island. But sometimes, 2 or even 3 are better than one. If you have a long table for example- think length in lighting. You want to make sure to illuminate the center 2/3 of the table.
- A favourite way to get the look and right light is to go with several smaller chandeliers rather than one large chandelier.
- To add contrast and punch of pop color chandelier plays a pivotal role. · Chandeliers made of Materials like metal and glass adds opulence in the space.
- While selecting a chandelier one should always check the size and proportion, especially while dealing with heights, double height space gives the perfect leverage to use the big piece of lighting installation to add to its grandeur.
- Even if you have a small space where there is a height restriction you can place the chandelier in the corner space or even above the dining table where it doesn’t hinder circulation.
- It is not for spaces with false ceilings
Chandeliers are available in a variety of styles, designs and sizes that are apt for all sorts of living spaces.