How High to Hang a Chandelier Over a Counter Height Table

Selecting the right modern decorative lighting for your home is important, particularly if you want your home to look updated and well maintained. One modern trend is to position small chandeliers over bar areas. These miniature chandeliers are sometimes called chandelettes and they range in diameter from 9 to 12 inches. Often this style of miniature chandelier is grouped over bars or islands for added impact. It is important when you place your chandelier or chandelette grouping to position your lights at the correct height. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Measure the distance between the top of your countertop and the ceiling. If your ceiling is from 8 to 10 feet from the floor then the height portion of your ceiling volume will support two small size chandeliers or a single medium to large chandelier.

2

Measure the distance from the center point of where you want to position the new chandelier to the closest wall, wall height cabinet or end point in each direction. An end point may be the end of an island or peninsula. What you are looking for is the natural width area over which the chandelier dominates. This will give you the width portion of your ceiling volume measurement. If you have an island that is 4 by 6 feet and your chandelier relates to the island then you may have enough ceiling volume for two 8 to 10 inch chandelettes or a single 12 to 14 inch chandelier.

3

Calculate your fixture size by adding the dimensions of your island or bar width together. Example: a 4 by 6 foot island can handle a single 10 inch fixture but an island is surrounded by walkways that usually measure 7 or more feet. This additional volume is visually available to you in positioning your fixtures and it allows you to double your fixtures with two small chandelettes. While the fixtures will primarily relate to the island and hang over the island, they will also light the walkways all the way to the cabinets or walls.

4

Measure up from the bar top 30 to 32 inches. It is a good idea to take a yardstick and tape a piece of paper centered at 30 inches that is the height and width of your intended fixture. Stand the yardstick up on the counter and stand (or sit) at the bar. Have each family member stand on the other side and see if the fixture would potentially block the view of a person sitting across the counter. Move the fixture (yardstick) upward to open the view. This is particularly important if you entertain frequently or have tall family members or guests. Your objective is to position the fixtures low enough to be dramatic and high enough not to obstruct the view from one side to the other.