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!
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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!
Cher says
I like #4. I am wondering if you would need to change out your curtain rods if you had a shiny brass chandler in the dining room? #4 provides the right amount of bling and will remain timeless with the current furniture designs you have in the dining room.
Jennifer says
Kris,
I have no 3 in my dining room and the Darlana in my staircase
Love them both – are in gold
Your favorite comes in a linear shape around $600, I considered that one for awhile – it should be easy to find – Visual Comfort
Knowing what I have, I am in the search for bathroom lights that will coordinate with my new chandeliers
Any ideas ?
I would go with what you love and in the price range you are comfortable with – and I vote for no 3
It really is stunning in my dining room ( my dining room table has very large blue and white Chinese urns, looks nice with the bronze gold finish )
Happy Shopping!!
Jennifer
Cindy says
Lots of great choices which is not a surprise since you have impeccable taste. I would tough it out and wait for a sale and get the one you love—#8! I am sure McGee & Co would be happy to have you showing off their beautiful product;)
Debbie says
I like number six best.
Tiffiny Wolf says
Hi…I’m in the middle of a total renovation and love all your inspiration! I’d definitely go with number 8. It has the same medium but in a muted tone as your pendants over the island, the shape provides a nice contrast to your rectangular table and based on my initial browsing of your website, it looks like you love to decorate your lighting fixture so this will be perfect to drape a garland around or switch out the lampshades according to the season….
Karen Bunch says
Kris,
I don’t blame you for not wanting to spend more than you had budgeted, but if you love it, I think you would be wise to splurge and write it into the sale price, or better yet, take it with you to the next house. I’ve discovered (the hard way) that some items are worth the extra—amortized over the life of use, it is probably a bargain!
🙂
Karen
Suzanne says
I love # 4 and # 6 … have you thought of refinishing your current light fixture ? New brass paint and new shades ? Just a thought as I do like the shape. Good luck, I know you will make a great choice!
Janet says
Oops should have added, there is a rectangle & oval Clarissa through Pottery Barn as well. I have the round. They are all on sale right now too 🙂
Gail Storti says
Your favorite wins my vote, I love it and think it’s perfect. The others are nice but very ordinary and I’ve seen them everywhere. Start saving and watch for a discount code! I’d like to change ours but haven’t found one that I love. Actually, your favorite would be gorgeous so I’m adding it to my wish list. Can’t wait to see which you choose. Any one would be fab in your beautiful home.
Janet says
Hello
I have the same PB Clarissa chandelier & matching sconces in my dining room. I do love it, but will love it more once I change our dining table. If you have the opportunity to view in person at a Pottery Barn store, I’d recommend doing so. In photos on their site, it appeared to me a bit more antique silver, it’s certainly not super shiny silver though. I have used led bulbs, but next time I’ll go for less bright white bulbs. I highly recommend getting a dimmer for this, (if you chose this one), it’s gorgeous in the evening turned low. I have the chandelier & sconces on separate dimmers. I’d be happy to send you a photo via email if you’d like. The thing I like about this chandelier IMO, it can go casual, glam, or traditional formal. If you decide on this, let me know, I’ll give you a couple of pointers before you begin set up on crystals (lots & lots of crystals). I try to go with less trendy and try to think, will I love this in 5 years. I’ve had this about 5-6 years now & still love it. Good luck with your decision.
Mary says
I recently went through this! It’s a tough decision.
I initially purchased #6, but that solid piece that extends to the ceiling did not work with my ceiling height. It was either going to be to high or too low. Had to send it back. Ha! Then I bought #7 and I’m very happy with it. Love the sparkle. I think you should get #8. It is beautiful and would go so well with your kitchen fixture. It’s about the same price as some of the others. Don’t settle just to save $200. I don’t throw money around, but when you love something and it’s a highly visible feature in your home, get the one you really want.
Debbie says
I think you should go with the one you love #8
Robin says
I prefer #2. Just enough it is.
Lynn says
Hi Kris — After looking through them, and looking again, 2, 4 and 6 are my top picks, with 4 pushing forward. That surprised me because at first I thought it was too different, but in the end that what makes it special — it’s different and unexpected. The feature that had me hesitating was that it’s round. I like an oblong or oval fixture better. I found one on Houzz: the Jaden 4-Light Crystal 30″ Chandelier. It’s price seems decent. You’re always giving us ideas, I had fun finding something for you.
I’ll be interested to see what you end up getting.
Stay warm.
Rita says
Ouch is right, but you know you will love it and it goes well with your kitchen pendants! Go for the one you love and take it with you it you ever move!
Siobhan says
Definitely #6. Gives a more formal look than #3 another of my favorites. I think over time their classic style will hold. I REALLY ENJOY your blog. I particularly love your “finds” and where to purchase. I find my taste to be very similar to yours. Thank you for sharing.