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!
Celeste says
Number 8 for the win!
Ann says
I love #8 but as others said, you really can’t go wrong with any of them. I personally would go for it!!! Good luck …
Anonymous says
#6 would be perfect for your space. My second choice would be #2 or #10.
Charlene says
I love #2 and #10. I’m partial to drum shades and it’s a clean streamlined look. Not sure the blingy chandeliers would be the best choice for your beautiful space!
Love your blog by the way!
Teresa says
Love #8, your favorite! It’s unique and beautiful! I also like #6. Go with what sparks joy every time you see it! It’s a focal piece 🙂
Thanks for your beautiful posts! Inspiration!
Traci says
I had a similar issue with my dining chandelier. The price was the only thing holding me back. I searched forever to find something I liked *as much* – – – I finally splurged and still, 2 years later, get a thrill whenever I see it. Go with what you love. Lighting is the jewelry for your room.
Patti says
Great picks! I like #6 and #8 best for your space. I went through same process and was thrilled to find gorgeous fixture from Troy Lighting on sale for $500! Got it! You might love it too. Reminds me of modern bouquet of flowers. Can’t post photo(?) but here’s info: F6166Textured Gold Leaf Juniper 6 Light 25-1/2″ Wide Chandelier with Hardback Linen Shades.
Marilyn says
Your favorite is head and shoulders above the others. It’s pricey, but save somewhere else and get it. If you don’t, you ll always be disappointed.
Beverly says
Agree!!
Penny says
Go with your fave, but mine would be #5 for my décor.
Mary T says
Number 8! It’s not only beautiful, it’s unique. Number 6 would be my second choice.
Shawn says
My favs for coordinating with your kitchen light are #3 and #6. That Pottery Barn Clarrissa chandelier is gorgeous in the room they photographed! I also like their Adeline line of lights for their sparkle. Good luck. I feel certain you will select the perfect one.
Maureen S Donahue says
Go with what you love. It will bring you pleasure everytime you see it.
Barbara says
Go with first choice, what you love. All of your choice are good. Trending today is “keep what gives you joy”. Price – where’s there a will there’s way. Maybe cut back on something in future less important.
Barbara
Doris Campbell says
Love the drums. I have one in my dining room and another over my breakfast table. You can use anything with them because they are very classic. I get more compliments over them than any other fixture. We’ve been remodeling a 20 year old home that we recently purchased and have replaced all of the light fixture. The drum fixtures win, hands down. Good luck!
Laura says
Number 4 is gorgeous; a sumptuous, timeless feel.
Jeri says
My favorite is number 8! Beautiful!