How to Get the Chandelier Size Right Over Your Dining Table

One of the most common questions we get in the showroom is some version of 'will this be too big?' It's a fair worry. A chandelier that looks stunning in a photo can feel oversized once it's hanging over your own table, and one that's too small just looks a little lost. The good news is there's no guesswork needed, a couple of simple rules get you there almost every time.

Start with the width of your table. As a rough guide, you want the light to be about half to two-thirds the width of the table underneath it. So if your dining table is 100cm across, something in the 50 to 65cm range looks balanced. Go much wider and it crowds the space; much narrower and it doesn't hold its own.

If you've got a long rectangular table or a kitchen island, don't force a single round fixture to do the job. A linear design works far better, which is exactly why pieces like our Crystal Wave and Arcus pendants come in 100cm, 120cm and 150cm lengths. Run the light along the length of the table and the whole thing feels intentional.

Then there's height. Over a dining table you can hang a fixture lower than you might elsewhere, because nobody's walking under it. Aim for the bottom of the light sitting around 75 to 85cm above the tabletop. If your ceilings are higher than the standard 2.4m, add roughly 7cm of drop for every extra 30cm of ceiling. Low enough to feel like a centrepiece, high enough that you can still see the person across from you.

One last thing people forget: the room matters, not just the table. If a fixture feels right for the table but the room is large and open, size up a touch so it doesn't disappear. And remember, a chandelier is mood lighting. Pair it with downlights or a couple of lamps so you're not relying on it to light the whole meal. Most of ours are tri-colour, so you can keep it warm and soft for dinner and switch to something brighter when you're clearing up.

Still not sure? Send us your table dimensions and a photo of the space, and we'll tell you honestly what'll work. It's the kind of thing we do every day.