Height of a Chandelier Above a Table

Whether it's dripping with cut crystal, hand-forged from blackened iron or made from a prized set of deer antlers, a pretty chandelier hanging over a dining table is the crowning glory of the room. With all the drama and attention a chandelier commands, hanging it correctly is important. While there is no hard-and-fast rule dictating the exact height at which a chandelier must hang, there are guidelines and pointers to take into consideration. Does this Spark an idea?

Hanging a Chandelier Over a Standard-height Table

If you hang your chandelier too low, it will be in the way of diners. On the other hand, if you hang it too high, it will lose visual impact and won't properly illuminate your table. The top surface of a standard-height table is about 30 inches from the ground. You should hang your chandelier so that there is about 30 to 34 inches between the tabletop and the bottom of the chandelier, which gives you plenty of clearance for tabletop flower arrangements, candlesticks and serving dishes and also gives you and your guests an unobstructed view of each other when you're sitting at the table.

Hanging a Chandelier Over a Counter-height Table

With counter-height dining tables rising in popularity, homeowners who purchase them may find they need to raise their dining room chandeliers slightly. The top of a counter-height dining table is approximately 35 to 36 inches from the floor; therefore, a chandelier that was installed over a 30-inch-tall table should be raised about 6 inches for a counter-height table. By the same token, if you install a chandelier based on a counter height table and then put a standard table in its place, the chandelier will seem too high and will need to be lowered slightly.

High Ceillings

While hanging your chandelier 30 to 34 inches above your tabletop is a good rule, that measurement is based upon 8-foot ceilings. Designers recommend raising your chandelier's height slightly, about 3 inches for 9-foot ceilings, and adding another 3 inches for 10-foot ceilings. If your ceilings are 9 feet or taller, get a larger chandelier with two tiers, which will help to fill and visually balance the space above your table.

Other Considerations

Factor in your chandelier's's style when determining how high or low to hang it over your table. Because there is no hard-and-fast rule, sit at your table while a friend holds your chandelier at various heights. The right height is one that you feel comfortable with and like the looks of and that allows ample room for eye contact, serving dishes and floral arrangements. Another consideration is the light itself. For example, if your chandelier has bowl-shaped glass shades, hang it so that you or your guests cannot easily look inside it and see dust, crumbs or bugs that have met their demise.