How to Choose the Right Size Chandelier or Pendant

A beautiful chandelier or pendant can transform a room, but only if it is the right size. Too small and it looks lost; too big and it overwhelms the space. Use these simple rules to get the proportions right every time.

Step 1: Get the diameter right

For a fixture in the centre of a room, add the length and width of the room together in metres, then multiply by roughly 8 to get a guide diameter in centimetres.

Example: a 4m by 5m living room: 4 plus 5 is 9, then 9 times 8 is about 72 cm. So a chandelier around 70 to 75 cm wide will feel balanced.

Step 2: Hang it at the right height

As a general rule, the bottom of a hanging light should sit at least 2.1 m above the floor in walkways and open areas so nobody walks into it.

Over a dining table or kitchen island it is different. There you want the light lower, with the bottom of the fixture about 75 to 90 cm above the table surface so it lights the table without blocking sightlines.

Step 3: Size it to the table or island

Over a dining table, the fixture, or group of pendants, should be about one-half to two-thirds the width of the table. A 90 cm-wide table, for example, suits a pendant or cluster around 45 to 60 cm across.

Step 4: Allow for high ceilings

Standard advice assumes a 2.4 m ceiling. For higher ceilings, add roughly 7 to 8 cm to the hanging drop for every extra 30 cm of ceiling height, so the fixture stays in proportion and fills the space.

Using multiple pendants?

Over a long island or table, two or three smaller pendants often look better than one large fixture. Space them evenly, keep equal gaps from the ends, and leave roughly 60 to 75 cm between each pendant.

Find your perfect fit

Browse our indoor lighting range for pendants and chandeliers in every style, and our bulbs and globes to finish the look. Still deciding on warm or cool light? Read our guide to LED colour temperature. For personal advice, contact our team, we deliver nationwide across South Africa.