Is It A Good Idea To Hang A Chandelier In Your Bedroom?

If you love the elegance of chandeliers, you may be tempted to install these light fixtures throughout your home. Traditionally, chandeliers are placed over foyers and dining room tables, but it's much less common to see them in bedrooms. However, that doesn't mean they wouldn't make good bedroom lighting. While the image of a classic piece dripping in crystals or with arms that hold candle-like lights may come to mind, the term "chandelier" can actually refer to any suspended light fixture with multiple arms that branch out from the main body. This means that, when buying a chandelier, you'll find that there are many styles to choose from including sophisticated traditional, sleek modern, and more.

You should never underestimate what the right light fixture can bring to a design, even in a casual room like the bedroom. A chandelier can add a focal point and help draw the eye upwards, making the space feel taller and larger. However, there are also a few considerations to keep in mind before installing this large light fixture in the bedroom.

When adding a chandelier to a bedroom, ceiling height should be the first factor to consider. Because chandeliers hang down, you'll typically want ceilings that are at least 9 feet in height to avoid hitting your head on the light fixture or having it bump into other furniture pieces. Shorter ceilings may benefit from miniature types, which will create a similar look with less length. However, you should always avoid hanging the chandelier too close to the ceiling. 

Along with the size of the chandelier, the scale of the feature in the room is just as important, as smaller bedrooms may feel overwhelmed by a large light fixture. In general, it's a good idea for the chandelier's diameter to be about the length plus the width of a room but in inches. For instance, a 10-foot by 10-foot room would benefit from a light fixture with a 20-inch diameter. For many people, the size of the room and the size of the fixture is what will be a sticking point.

Having one central ceiling light can also create dark areas in a room, as the light may not be able to reach every corner. Since most bedroom chandeliers are either placed over the bed or directly in the center of the ceiling, there may be some areas that are more lit than others, particularly in larger rooms. This can easily be combatted by using lamps or smaller lighting features to illuminate these corners.