Chandelier Lighting In Your Home

Chandelier lighting is a great way to give your home an atmosphere of class and sophistication without a prohibitively high cost. With the right chandelier light and a little know-how, you can change the entire appearance and ambience of a room. Chandeliers have been used since medieval days, when they were hanging candle-holders. They were considered to be something only for the higher classes, because candles were so expensive. Believe it or not, chandeliers designed to hold candles are still available today! However, considering convenience and fire safety, you will probably want an electric one. And "green", energy-efficient chandeliers are now available.

Beautiful chandelier light fixtures come in many sizes and styles and it's almost guaranteed you will be able to find one that matches your home and decor. Chandeliers are easy on the eyes in more ways than one; they provide brilliant but indirect light, without glare, and many are made with prismatic pendants or drops which refract light and shed rainbows on a wall or ceiling. A large, classical crystal chandelier lighting fixture can cost as much as a thousand dollars, but can represent an investment and an heirloom for your children. If you are trying to minimize cost, consider glass or wrought iron rather than crystal. Even some inexpensive glass chandeliers come with many prisms.

Chandelier lights can go anywhere in the home, not just the entryway, living or dining rooms -- they are appropriate for bedrooms and even bathrooms and hallways. There is such a thing as an outdoor chandelier which is hung from a patio or deck roof, a sunroom ceiling, or even a tree. But let's say you want a chandelier indoors. First, consider the size of the room, particularly the height of the ceiling, the color of the walls or design of the wallpaper, and the color and style of furniture. You may even want to take a few photographs.

Make sure the wiring in your home is safe and in good repair. See if the ceiling in which you want to install the chandelier already has a place for it -- if so, look at the "J-box" (electrical junction box) to see if it appears to be in good shape. You may need to replace it, but they are not expensive -- $30 to $50 -- and they are easy to find in hardware stores, or check acehardwareoutlet.com. In an older home, you might want to have an electrician come out and inspect the wiring in the ceiling where the chandelier is to go, just to be on the safe side.

The next step is to go to a local lamp store and see what they have. Some antique shops have beautiful chandeliers -- check the wiring. National chain hardware stores such as Menards, Home Depot and Lowes often have good selections, but always check the local stores first. You may be able to pick up an amazing bargain. Online, try lampcentral.com, lightingshowplace.com, simplychandeliers.com, and minichandeliers.com (despite the name, this site carries a wide variety). If you cannot afford or do not have room for a large chandelier, you might consider a mini-chandelier -- these are often used in hallways and bathrooms. You can get smaller versions of the classic types for as little as $100.

There are several websites on line, including hammerzone.com and doityourself.com, with clear, illustrated instructions on how to install a chandelier. Doityourself.com includes a video by Mark Donovan. If you don't feel up to installing the chandelier yourself, ask at the store where you bought the chandelier. They should be able to give you a few names of local handymen, or they might even have someone on staff who comes out to your home. Do a little price comparison shopping on this service, too.

If you are looking for an atmosphere of elegance and romance in your home, the right lighting can make all the difference. Consider chandelier lighting today!