I’ve combed through hundreds of dining room chandeliers on a search to find the perfect one for our home and am sharing my ten favorites!
(affiliate links included in post – full disclosure statement available {here})
When we bought our home, it was in the contract that the previous owners were going to take the chandelier with them. Knowing how chaotic our lives would be after moving in, I picked up a chandelier on the cheap at our local Ballard Designs Outlet before our move so I’d have something to put up right when we moved in:
I figured I would just have it for a few months or so and then sell it after having the time to shop and find the perfect one. Little did I know that it would end up being over five years before I finally got around to swapping it out!
While I liked our rope chandelier, as soon as the doors between our dining room and kitchen were removed as part of kitchen remodel, allowing you to see from one room into the other, I knew that I needed a fixture that would coordinate better with our kitchen island pendants to create better flow between the two spaces:
Sources: Lantern pendants | Rattan counter stools in Fog | Pulls on island drawers (12″) | Pot Filler (Kohler Artifacts in vibrant stainless) | Cabinet pulls | Glass storage jars
That’s when my search for a new dining room chandelier began!
What Size Dining Room Chandelier Is Best?
When you’re searching for a dining room chandelier, the first thing you need to figure out is what size chandelier is best for your table. Here are a few tips:
- The width of your chandelier should be about ½ to ⅔ the width of the table it will be hanging over. I tend to choose fixtures closer to ⅔ the width except for really narrow tables.
- Getting a fixture that’s at least 10-12″ less than the width of your table is important so that you don’t bump it with your head when getting in or out of your seat. An exception to this rule is if you have tall ceilings and the chandelier will be hung high overhead (where no heads could run into it) as ambient lighting.
And what about height? In general, the bottom of the chandelier should hang between 30″ – 36″ above the surface of the table when there is an 8′ ceiling. For higher ceilings, you can hang the chandelier up to 3″ higher for each additional foot of ceiling. See my post on dining room measurements for tips on sizing your dining room chairs and rug too!
The very first chandelier that I crushed on when I started my dining room chandelier hunt was actually this gilded iron beauty found {here} and {here}. It’s stunning and I LOVE the design but the 35.5″ width of it was sadly too much for my space. But if you have a round dining table, it’s a fabulous option!
After searching more, these are the other dining room chandeliers I found that I loved and thought could work in my space:
Sources: 1. Brass linear chandelier (also check out {this similar option}) | 2. Cream beaded pendant | 3. Wagon wheel chandelier (3 finish options) | 4. Wood beaded & rope pendant | 5. Candle style chandelier | 6. Tapered glass shade chandelier | 7. Swoop arm chandelier | 8. 6-Light chandelier with fabric shades (3 finish options) | 9. Drum chandelier | 10. Glass droplet chandelier
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One of my favorites of this bunch is this round drop crystal chandelier found {here}:
I bet is sparkles beautifully at night! I love mixing metal finishes and think that the antique nickel finish of this chandelier would pair beautifully with the gilded iron of my kitchen pendants.
If you love the look of that chandelier, also check out this round crystal chandelier found {here} that comes in two sizes – the large is 26″ which is a good size for most dining room tables:
I also love the softness of a drum shade chandelier! Along with the one I linked earlier in the post, I love this beauty found {here}:
Decisions, decisions… which chandelier do you think I went with? Which is your favorite?
Update! I decided that a wood bead chandelier would be perfect since the natural wood tones would allow it to blend with any metal finishes, including the golds in our kitchen. I chose {this beautiful beaded chandelier} and it was even more gorgeous than I expected!
It just fits right in with everything else I have in this space doesn’t it?
Thanks for stopping by everyone! Hope you’re all having a great week!
Jerry says
Number 8 is my favorite with # 6 my second, if #8 isn’t in the budget. IMO #8 makes more of a statement. If #8 is really calling your name, but you are concerned about what you perceive as the price possibly being too much, I would discuss it with your husband and get his opinion and input. Thumbs up: get that order entered pronto, thumbs down: go with your #2 or keep looking and waiting for #8 to go on sale. My wife and I enjoy the items in our house the most when we both have given our input and come up with the same choice as being one which we like and one which we agree on the amount being spent. So this is my 2 cents, actually 0 cents since it is free advice, and you asked for it. :-]
Regina says
I vote #4! Some bling but the metal has almost a rustic look to me. Just gorgeous!
Caroline says
Well, I ADORE your favorite, number 8, and if I had that kind of price range to work with, that’s the one I would choose. But I think that it (and most of these) are really too much money. You didn’t talk about number 6 in your notes; I really like that one also. Or number 2 or 10 would look great there. I don’t like the crystal ones for your room, although they are very pretty. Number 5 is a terrific price! And for some reason, I really do NOT like number 9. But if you can, just go with Etoile and love it!
Nicki Lossing says
I read somewhere that if you spend too much on something you love, you only cry once. If you settle, you may cry every time you look at it because you wish you had what you REALLY wanted. That has been true for me more than once. I am usually very conservative with my spending but every once in a while something comes along that you’ve just GOT to have! 🙂
Susan Horn says
Life is short! Go with your favorite but wait till it goes on sale. You have waited this long and as mentioned you see immediately ! Trust your judgement! Love your home!
Barb says
Hi Kris, If this was my space, I’d go with #2. I love the vertical lines that refer to your kitchen pendant, plus the brass. I love the large round shade that distinguishes it from the kitchen. Just my opinion. Thanks for sharing what you’ve found.
Sandi says
Number 4 is my favorite! I love the open and breezy beachey look of your kitchen renovation. And I think a touch of this bling adds just a touch of glamour to the rest of your gorgeous space. Though your first choice is certainly a great choice and if it makes you excited and happy then I say go for it. And definitely take it with you!
Joanna says
I vote for #6. I think it would be perfect in your dining room. It won’t date quickly as it is truly classic. And, I think it suits your aesthetic.
Shirley Bassett says
My vote is for #4-I have it over my dining room table and I absolutely love it!
Nicole Hunt says
I vote either 1 or 4. Both are fabulous.
Anonymous says
I think your first choice is WAY too expensive. And the crystal drop chandeliers are too fancy for your furniture. I think one of the antique brass ones would be best…..like # 6……Your house is modern, but classic and these would be best. You have beautiful taste…..I always enjoy your posts.!
Karen says
Kris, go with number 8! It sounds like you truly love it and if you do, you’ve probably been dreaming about it too! If you chose something else and you’re like me, you’ll always be thinking of it in the back of your mind and at some point wished that you had. Not sure what compensation you may have received from Serena & Lily, but you chose those kitchen stools which are a tad pricy … so …. go for it! And good luck! Can’t wait to see what you decide.
deanne says
I like number 6 the best,classic but fresh and edgy, doesn’t match the other but they are friends.
Nancy Guerra says
Hi Kris,
Number 4 is my favorite! I think it’s stunning.
KT says
The answer was obviously #8 or #4 but the I clicked through to the prices. Ouch. But you’ve waited so long and can you really put a price on the joy you’ll feel seeing one of those lit up? You’ll have to entertain more to drive down the cost per use but that’s not really a bad thing : ) #8
Michele M. says
Well, they’re all beauties in their own rights – but for your space I think those drum shade chandies are perfect.
You didn’t make it easy to choose – you have exquisite taste – and I liked them all very much.
Bonnie says
Number five is my favorite!