Chandelier lights have been around for ages. Medieval records show their usage in large assembly halls. However, the initial design of a wooden cross with 4 candles on each arm has gone through some much needed change. The initial changes adorned these lighting items with a look of royal beauty. This was done at the cost of convenient dimensions. These models could only be installed in big mansions or large summer houses. Much had to be done to introduce them to the simple British home.

This change started with the rise in the economy of the UK. More and more shunned the norm, which was that chandelier lights were an adornment of only the royal homes. People were ready to pay higher prices just to have these regal lighting options in their homes as well. This market demand led manufactures to consider an evolution in the creation and use of chandeliers.

Chandelier Lights: Things to Consider

Chandeliers now come in varying sizes and weights. There is one for everyone. However, several points must be considered first, such as:

• How high is the ceiling on which it is to be installed?

• What is the size of the object over which the chandelier will be suspended?

• What are the dimensions of the room where it will be installed?

• What design are you looking for in the chandelier?

Here is an important tip from Joe Rey-Barreau, educational consultant for the American Lighting Association (ALA):

"Placing a chandelier that is too small in a space is likely the biggest mistake because it's very noticeable. Great designers, therefore, tend to make their decisions on fixtures that may appear slightly larger than might be appropriate. It's generally always best to make the mistake on a fixture being too big than too small."

Every room has a different set of parameters to be considered before adorning it with chandelier lights. For instance, the dining room. The chandelier for this room should be at least 50% of the dining table's width. Larger is better. For an 8-foot ceiling, you should hang the bottom of the fixture nearly 30 inches above the table. If the ceiling is more than 8 feet, increase 3 inchesfor each additional foot in the ceiling. All these calculations are based on the fact that the table size fits the room.

Chandelier Lights: Following the Trends

Regarding trends, Joe Rey-Barreau says, "Beyond laundry rooms and garages, any room is an open target for hanging a chandelier. More commonly, kitchens and bathrooms have become the popular locations for chandeliers." These words best reflect the popularity of chandelier lights. People have started decorating their homes to bring in a touch of elegance and luxury in their day to day life. Dan Blitzer, Director of Education for the ALA, says, "People are treating their bedroom suites as more luxurious personal spaces with elaborate bathroom areas, so it is not unreasonable to consider chandeliers there, either."

The fact that chandeliers have shrunk and can fit into any room also helps to this effect. The master bedrooms of middle class couples often spell luxury because of the designer bathrooms, chandeliers and luxury beds. Some even have a matching pair of chrome floor lamps to enhance this luxurious feel. Mix and match can also be a theme for the modern urban home, with a classic chrome floor lamps and transitional chandelier lights.

Chandelier Lights: Children's Light

The master bedrooms and the drawing rooms are not the only spaces that have gone through modification with chandelier lights. Even the children's quarters have been coloured with a dash of warmth. These products are called children's lights and come in designs that can best capture the adolescent minds. The most popular designs are helicopters and airplanes made of frosted glass and hollowed to contain the light bulbs.

For the more sophisticated mind, chandeliers designed in the form of ice particles are preferred. These light fixtures do not weigh heavily to pocket and can bring a peaceful feel to an otherwise chaotic children's room.