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!
Mary Wilburn says
These are all fabulous choices Kris! Can’t wait to hear what you chose! would love your advice for 2 chandelier questions-
I love your kitchen island pendants so Im considering changing my existing entry/foyer pendant light for this one. How do I know which is the correct size?
Secondly, i have a round dining room table that extends to an oval shape. What shape chandelier would you suggest and should i get it in a size that is in proportion to the table when its extended or not?
Thank you so much for your help!
JennyBC says
This is so unlike me…I am a bargain shopper by nature but I am going to say go with your gut and get #8. I recently swapped my living room and dining room. My original dining room was tiny and could not accommodate anymore people. My living room was bigger and seemed a waste of space so we swapped them. Why did I not do that 20 years ago? Now I have a table everyone fits around comfortably and a cozy living room space that is perfect for just another couple visiting. All that to say, I needed a new dining room fixture that had a little more presence than the other one. Like you, it’s the first room you see when you enter my house. I am so glad I went with the fixture I liked and one that had the weight and feel I was looking for. If you keep going back to it, I am betting it will be the finishing touch and will withstand the test of time as your color scheme and other decor changes. Enjoy!
Gayle says
Lots of lovely options, but I’d wait for the one you love to go on sale, or decide it’s worth it to splurge & buy it now. You’ll be happier in the long run!
Dian Owens says
I like 2, 3 & 6. They all have clean lines and the squared-off candlestick bases like your gorgeous island carriage fixtures. My favorite is the #2 drum, which also mimics your plate collection.
Shari says
Ten! Classy, not too spendy, and simple, clean lines that compliment, but don’t compete in your room or with the terrific lights in kitchen?
Kelsey says
I love number 6…and totally affordable too!
Eleanor says
Trust your gut and heart! And remember how hard YOU work! You deserve to get what YOU want. Shouldn’t they give you a decent discount for the one you LOVE with all the advertising you provide to THOUSANDS? I myself would encourage #4 for a touch of variety and dinning room SPARKLE! After all, you have other eating areas to do enjoy a matched light feature. But the dinning room is where we celebrate the special days and special people we love! Make those meals and guests SPARKLE!
Kari says
#8! It will refresh and elevate your beautiful dining room, is the perfect size – and you won’t be as tempted to change your dining table and chairs (that will be pricey) as you will be with other choices. Thank you for sharing!
Beverly says
#8 is stunning, and my personal favorite. You should get what you love — don’t settle! Yes, it is rather expensive, but you can (and do!) find other ways to be frugal. Can’t wait to see your post showing #8 in your dining room! It is classic, but it is not boring. It will stand the test of time!
Jan says
Oops, I did find #3. Love the simplicity.
Jan says
Love, love your #8, but way way more than I would pay. Super cool if you could find on sale. Otherwise, I love #3 but was unable to see it when I clicked on “here”. Would be great for my DR, as I am looking to update mine too.
Joan says
I love #6 (gorgeous and classic). However I would suggest whatever you LOVE the most is what you should go for. I never let a few hundred dollars dictate my decision. Now having said that if we’re talking thousands of dollars that’s a different story. In this case I see just a few hundred dollars difference . You will live with that chandelier for a long time. Good luck!
Melissa Crider says
Go with your gut and get the pricier chandelier that you love. It’s absolutely gorgeous!!
Anonymous says
I like #8 (looks like it would complement your kitchen fixture?). #4 & #7 will be beasts to clean; I know, I have a similar chandilier … lol. They are all pretty so if #8 is too pricey, just go with another because they are all nice.
Jean Santosuosso says
Didn’t mean to post anonymously. My name is Jean.
Cathie says
I like #s 3,6 and 9 . Honestly all ten are very pretty, and visually it’s an investment both aesthetically and monetary. Good luck with your search…your house is stunning! More importantly you are so real!,thanks.
Sherry says
2, 6, or 10 are my faves. These would match your kitchen fixtures and would not go out of style so quickly as they are more classic in design.