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Ideal chandelier height over dining table: 30-36 inches
Out with the old, in with the new! It’s time to replace your chandelier over your dining table. For me, I have wanted to replace ours since the day I moved into our house, 3 years later it finally happened!
You never really think about it until it comes time to do it, but the height of your chandelier over the dining table is super important. Hang it too low and you’re going to be face to face with your chandelier when you sit down. Hang it too high and that’s going to make the room look very awkward!
Most of the time, a chandelier is the focal point of a dining room. Sure, the table may be up there as well, but chances are people will comment on the chandelier before they comment on anything else. And you do not want those comments to be about chandelier height! 😉
In this blog, I’ll be covering exactly how high to hang a chandelier over a dining table. I’ll also talk about chandelier placement over a dining table so that you get the perfect-sized chandelier for your space! Consider this your very own chandelier size guide!
How high to hang a chandelier over a dining table?
The perfect height for your chandelier over the dining table is within the range of 30-36 inches. This measurement is from your tabletop to the bottom of your chandelier. The height can slightly change based on the height of your ceiling. Essentially for every foot after 8 feet, add 3 inches to the range.
Here are the different ranges to stick with for each ceiling height.
How high to hang a chandelier over dining table with 8-foot ceilings?
30-36 inches will be the ideal range for hanging a chandelier over a dining table with 8-foot ceilings.
How high to hang a chandelier over dining table with 9-foot ceilings?
33-39 inches is the perfect height to hang your chandelier with 9-foot ceilings.
How high to hang a chandelier over dining table with 10-foot ceilings?
36-42 inches is the best chandelier height for your dining table with 10-foot ceilings.
How high to hang a chandelier over dining table with 11-foot ceilings?
39-45 inches above the table is the best range for your chandelier with 11-foot ceilings.
How high to hang a chandelier over dining table with 12-foot ceilings?
42-48 inches will be the best height for hanging your chandelier with 12-foot ceilings.
Keep In Mind
Another thing to keep in mind is that you will always want to base your chandelier height off the dining table, not from the floor. I’ve seen people ask about the chandelier height from the floor, but it’s important that you focus on the height from the table.
I hung this chandelier over my kitchen table at 32 inches from the top of the table to the bottom of the chandelier. I personally feel that if you have a taller chandelier you will want to hang it near the bottom number of the range you’re working with.
This way there is a good amount of distance from the top of the chandelier to the ceiling without it looking overcrowded. But that’s just personal preference! You truly cannot go wrong as long as you stick within the range, which is the best rule of thumb when hanging your chandelier.
How wide should a chandelier be over a table?
The chandelier height over the table is just the beginning. Something that is equally as important as the height of your chandelier is how wide your chandelier should be compared to your dining table.
Your chandelier should have at least 6 inches from all sides of the table. This means for both the length and the width of your table. If it exceeds 6 inches, then there is a good chance that when you go to sit down, you and your guests may bump their heads. Ouch!
PLUS, the closer your chandelier gets to the edge of the table, the less proportionate it will look in your space. The last thing you want is a chandelier that’s the same size as your table. That’s just going to look strange!
This will ensure you have the best chandelier size over your dining table, and that it’s not too big or too small!
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How much space should be in between the top of a chandelier and the ceiling?
This is a question that I just can’t seem to find the answer to after searching around. In my personal experience, I feel that you should aim to have at least 12” in between the top of your chandelier and the ceiling.
That way you’re not worrying about the chandelier looking too close to the ceiling and having that overcrowded feeling.
I think this topic is only a concern for those of us with 8-foot ceilings. As you get up to 9 feet and above, you’re not going to find many chandeliers specifically for dining tables that are super tall in height.
Most of them stay proportionate to the length of the chandelier, and I haven’t come across many chandeliers that are 3+ feet tall, or at least any that would be good above a dining table.
This chandelier over my dining room table is 24” tall, and that’s truly the maximum height for a chandelier that I can have between this 30-inch tall table with 8-foot ceilings. That’s taking into account 12” from the top of the light fixture to the ceiling, and 30” from the top of the table to the bottom of the light fixture.
What’s the best shape for a chandelier over a dining table?
Now that you know how high to hang a chandelier over a dining table and a few other dimensions, what’s the best shape for your chandelier?
The answer is: it’s up to preference and your specific situation! The most popular option for a rectangular table right now is an open-style rectangular light fixture. While a round drum-style light fixture is most popular for a round table.
Let’s talk about what the best chandelier shape is for each table shape.
Can you hang a round chandelier over a rectangular table?
Yes! You absolutely can hang a round light fixture over a rectangular dining table.
In fact, I’m happy to show you mine to get an idea of what this looks like. The round chandelier can help soften up the strong lines of a rectangular table.
It also provides great contrast and typically makes the space more interesting. Of course, that’s dependent on the chandelier you go with. I wanted mine to be a little more of a statement piece, and it looked really good over my DIY butcher block table!
As I mentioned previously, rectangular shapes are more popular, but sometimes going outside the mold is a little more fun! 😊
Can you hang a rectangular chandelier over a round table?
Unfortunately the same doesn’t hold true when it’s the other way around. I recommend sticking to a round chandelier if you have a round table. The reasoning? It simply looks better!
Can it be done? Sure, but 9 times out of 10 you will see a round chandelier paired up with a round table!
However, I have seen some adorable square or lantern-like chandeliers that look fabulous over a round table and that’s because they remain proportional to the table.
What’s the best-shaped chandelier for an oval table?
An oval table can be treated exactly the same as a rectangular table! You can go either way here, and it’ll look amazing.
My table is technically considered scalloped but it gives off the appearance of an oval table. This will give you a good idea of what a rectangular chandelier looks like with an oval-ish table!
Now, Let’s Recap
And there you have it! You know exactly how high to hang a chandelier over a dining table and much more. Just for a quick recap:
- Chandeliers should be 30-36 inches above your dining table. For every foot after 8 feet, add 3 inches to the range.
- You should have at least 6 inches of space between the edge of your chandelier and the table to avoid hitting your head when sitting down.
- Leave 12 inches of space between the top of the chandelier and the ceiling.
- Rectangle or round chandeliers are best for rectangle and oval tables.
- Round chandeliers are best for round tables.
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