
How to Install a Foyer Chandelier
- Step 1: Switch the power off If there is an existing lighting fixture in your foyer, switch it on and check out the circuit breaker to see which breaker switch controls power to that particular area. ...
- Step 2: Determine the height ...
- Step 3: Mount the support box ...
- Step 4: Install the wiring ...
- Step 5: Hang the chandelier in place ...
How do you measure a chandelier for a foyer?
Step 1: Measure the height of your foyer ceilings. Step 2: Take your ceiling height (in feet) x 2.5 = the ideal height (in inches) of your chandelier. Step 3: Measure the length and width of your foyer. Step 4: (Length of your foyer in feet) + (Width of your foyer in feet) = the best diameter (in inches) for your chandelier.
How do you hang a chandelier above a bedroom door?
2. Determine the height at which the chandelier will be hung. If there is a window above the door, it should be centered in the window. Otherwise, hang it at least seven feet above the floor at a height that is visually appealing. 3. Measure the distance from the ceiling to the where the top of the chandelier will hang.
What size chandelier do I need for a 10 foot ceiling?
The rule of thumb for designers is that the hanging lighting fixture should have 2 to 3 inches of height for each foot of ceiling height. For example, a 10-foot high foyer ceiling calls for a chandelier that is 20 to 30 inches in height.
Can you hang a chandelier in a two story foyer?
However, when you hang a chandelier in a two-story or higher foyer, you are going to need additional equipment to reach the ceiling safely. Before installing a chandelier, be sure to shut off the breaker at the circuit breaker box that supplies the ceiling electrical box.

How do you hang an entryway chandelier?
In a single-story foyer where ceilings are 9 to 12 feet high, it is standard practice to elevate the chandelier so its bottom is no closer than 7 feet, 6 inches above the floor. Where the foyer is two stories high, the design standard is to place the bottom of the chandelier so it is level with the second story.
How far down do you hang a chandelier in foyer?
Ideally, a foyer chandelier should hang about 7 feet off the floor for ceilings measuring 10 feet. With a ceiling height of less than 10 feet, you need a smaller chandelier which measures less than 27 inches tall.
What is the proper height to hang a chandelier?
approximately 30 to 34 inchesHang a chandelier approximately 30 to 34 inches over a table with an 8 foot ceiling height. If your ceiling is higher than 8 feet, mount the chandelier an additional 3 inches higher for each foot of ceiling.
How wide should an entryway chandelier be?
Some things to consider before installing the right size chandelier for your foyer: For halls that are 75 square feet or more, plan on a fixture at least 12 inches in diameter or a chandelier at least 18 inches in diameter.
How low should a chandelier hang from a 9 foot ceiling?
The rule of thumb is to accommodate 2.5-3 inches of chandelier height for each foot of ceiling height. A standard 8-foot ceiling requires a chandelier that is 20-24 inches in height. If your ceilings are taller than that, add 2 inches for every foot over 8 feet to that number.
How low should a chandelier hang from a 18 foot ceiling?
For a ceiling height of 18 ft, the chandelier should be hanged 10 ft down from the ceiling such that the height of chandelier from the floor is 98 inches to 105 inches.
Can a chandelier be too big?
A chandelier that is too large can easily overpower a room and its inhabitants; one that is too small becomes insignificant and decreases the perceived value of the entire space. By following a few interior design guidelines for choosing the correct size, you will maximize the impact of the fixture.
How far should a light fixture hang from the ceiling?
To sum that up, the general guideline is as follows… 'Your light fixture should hang 30 – 36 inches from the top of your table if you have an 8-foot ceiling. For every foot of ceiling height beyond 8 feet, add 3-6 inches to the length of your chain/wire'.
How do you swag a chandelier?
Swag your light fixture from the ceiling junction box over to the ceiling mount. Place the cord on the ceiling mount hook and adjust the fixture to the desired length. Secure the screw against the cord to hold the cord in place. Screw your light bulb in the fixture and you're all set.
How high should a chandelier be hung in a two story foyer?
Install your foyer chandelier so that the bottommost point is 7 feet from the floor. If your foyer lacks high enough ceilings, you may hang your lighting 6.5 feet from the floor. Center the fixture in the middle of the room. If your home offers a two-story foyer, hang the fixture a minimum of 7.5 feet from the floor.
How long should a foyer light hang?
A second formula helps you choose a chandelier of suitable height for the space: For every foot of foyer height, allow 2.5 inches of fixture height. For a foyer with a 10-foot-high ceiling, that means choosing a chandelier of 25 inches in height, reveals Kathy Kuo Home.
What kind of light goes in an entryway?
Pendant lights are more of a modernized option for entry foyer lighting, but can also work equally well in traditional spaces. An interesting thing about pendants is that they manage to create an illusion of taller spaces that helps draw your eyes upwards, and the light softly illuminates from the hanging piece.
How far should a light fixture hang from the ceiling?
To sum that up, the general guideline is as follows… 'Your light fixture should hang 30 – 36 inches from the top of your table if you have an 8-foot ceiling. For every foot of ceiling height beyond 8 feet, add 3-6 inches to the length of your chain/wire'.
How low should a chandelier hang in a stairwell?
The average height for a chandelier in a stairwell is 7 or 8 feet above the ground.
How low can a light fixture hang?
If installing one or more hanging light fixtures, 70 inches above the floor is the minimum height for maximum comfort. Dramatic fixtures can hang no lower than 16”. If your ceiling height isn't high enough, make up for it with a wider fixture to create drama. Use a low profile fixture with a large diameter.
Where should a chandelier be placed in a house?
In a small entryway, the chandelier should hang in the middle of the room. If the chandelier is being hung in your bedroom or living room, place it in the middle of the room or above a bed or coffee table. Mini chandeliers also look great hanging above nightstands (but remember the 30" – 36" rule!).
How tall should a chandelier be for a foyer?
A second formula helps you choose a chandelier of suitable height for the space: For every foot of foyer height, allow 2 to 3 inches of fixture height. For a foyer with a 10-foot-high ceiling, that means choosing a chandelier of between 20 and 30 inches in height. Lighting experts also offer a formula to calculate electrical wattage adequate to light your foyer space: Multiply room length by width by 1.5. Accordingly, a room measuring 8 feet by 10 feet would require 120 watts of light (8 x 10 = 80, and 80 x 1.5 = 120).
How high should a foyer ceiling be?
In a foyer with a moderately high ceiling -- between 9 and 10 feet -- the 7-to-7.5-feet guideline should produce excellent results, letting viewers admire a hanging fixture that is positioned to provide even light to ceiling, walls and floor. You may need to make only minor adjustments in the height based on angles, alcoves or an additional hallway leading off the foyer.
Where should a foyer chandelier hang?
Remember, too, that a foyer chandelier should generally hang in the exact center of the space.
How high should a chandelier be in a foyer?
This means that the fixture may be at 8 feet above the floor or even higher.
How to calculate wattage of light fixture?
For lighting experts, the practice is to tailor the illumination to the square footage of the foyer space, using a simple formula. Multiply the room length by the width, and that total by 1.5. This produces the wattage required by the combined bulbs in the ceiling fixture. For example, a 10 by 10-foot foyer has an area of 100 square feet; multiplied by 1.5, the appropriate wattage of the lighting fixture should be 150 watts. Note that this total wattage can be achieved by one or more light bulbs in the fixture.
How to measure a chandelier?
For interior designers, another rule of thumb guides the sizing of the chandelier itself. Choosing the diameter of a chandelier fixture involves adding the length and the width of the room together (measured in feet), then converting that measurement to inches. The resulting number is a proper diameter for the chandelier light fixture. For example, in a foyer that is 10 feet by 10 feet in size, the total is 20 feet; here, a 20-inch-diameter light fixture produces a good visual effect.
Why is a foyer important?
It deserves better treatment, though, because the foyer greets you when you come home and welcomes guests when they arrive. The foyer should set the tone for the rest of your home. Good lighting is one of the best ways to make sure your foyer makes a positive first impression. A foyer chandelier lights up the entryway with sophisticated style, ...
What is the foyer in a home?
The foyer is both one of the most important and one of the most overlooked areas in a home. It's not hard to see how this space might escape notice in smaller homes where the foyer is barely noticeable. But even in homes with grand entryways, this pass-through space often lacks both style and substance. It deserves better treatment, though, ...
Can a chandelier be used in a small foyer?
A small foyer with low ceilings and an area that is 9 by 9 feet or less is usually best served with a ceiling-mounted light fixture, not a hanging chandelier. Small spaces may be overwhelmed by a hanging chandelier.
How to turn off light fixture?
Switch the breaker in your home’s breaker box to the “Off” position to turn off the electricity to the existing light fixture.
How to restore electricity in a home?
Switch the breaker in your home’s breaker box to the “On” position to restore electricity.
What is scaffolding for chandeliers?
Scaffolding. A set of scaffolding provides an extremely stable platform from which to hang a chandelier. The platform is capable of supporting two people, which might prove useful when hanging heavy chandeliers, says Lowe's.
Do you need equipment to hang a chandelier?
The equipment you need to hang a chandelier is no different from a standard light fixture. However, when you hang a chandelier in a two-story or higher foyer, you are going to need additional equipment to reach the ceiling safely.
How should a foyer chandelier be positioned?
Don’t forget, too, that the foyer chandelier should typically be positioned precisely in the center of the area.
How tall should a chandelier be for a foyer?
A chandelier that is 20 to 30 inches tall is recommended for a foyer with a 10-foot ceiling. If a foyer has a ceiling height of 16 feet (two stories), a chandelier with a height of 32 to 48 inches could be comfortably installed. And that’s all there is to it.
What do chandelier designers select?
Designers select chandelier fixtures with other guidelines in mind in addition to measuring the physical dimensions of the fixture.
How to see the effect of a new fixture?
You can see the effects your new fixture will have on your space by placing one or more lamps in the foyer to duplicate the wattage needed for good illumination even if the lamps have to be grouped on the floor.
How high should a chandelier be?
If the ceiling is 10 feet high, a foyer chandelier should hang approximately 7 feet above the floor. A chandelier measuring less than 27 inches tall is ideal for a ceiling height less than 10 feet.
How to determine wattage of a light fixture?
Together, these bulbs require the wattage of a ceiling fixture. As an example, a 10 by 10-foot foyer contains 100 square feet; multiply by 1.5 to determine the proper wattage of a lighting fixture. Several light bulbs can achieve this total wattage.
How to bring a large foyer into harmony?
In large foyers with high ceilings, choose a larger fixture than recommended by the formulas. An ample amount of light can help to bring a large, tall foyer into harmony with its proportions by providing a sense of intimacy.
What Size Chandelier Should You Buy For Your Foyer?
Chandeliers come in all different shapes, sizes, and materials. Something too big could overpower the room, while a fixture too small won’t look right. Selecting the correct option is key in making your foyer the most aesthetically appealing.
The Perfect Type of Chandelier for Your Foyer
As we mentioned above, there are many options when shopping for a chandelier. Depending on the structure of your foyer, certain shapes will make your room shine!
Related Questions
Using the formula we described above, find the right size chandelier for your bedroom!
The Bottom Line
As you can see, there are many factors to consider when choosing the right size chandelier for your foyer. The magnitude of one’s home and what type of space it is (e.g., dark or bright) will determine how big a fixture should be.
