Question: I loved it when you explained how to hang bathroom sconces, and I was wondering if you could do the same thing for chandeliers? We are decorating our dining room, and I have no idea what to tell the electrician.
Phoebe's Answer: I am glad to help. For chandeliers over dining room tables, I generally hang them 36" over the table, which is generally 66" off the floor. For low ceilings, you might want to go up a little, and the same is true for high ceilings. For over a kitchen island, I like a little more clearance, so I usually hang around 39" above the island. In a living area, I like to hang them around 78" to 88" off the floor. For hallways and foyers, there are a lot of variables - just make sure that no one feels like they will hit their head. Of course every situation is unique, but this should give you some general guidelines. Keep in mind, these measurements are where the base of the light fixture should be - not the top! Here are some ways we have hung chandeliers in my projects:
