Choosing the right chandelier size is the cornerstone of a balanced interior design. A small chandelier might get lost in a large room, while an oversized one could visually overwhelm the space. So, how do you find that optimal size that strikes the perfect balance?

In general, the chandelier’s diameter should be approximately 1/12th of the room’s area. For instance, in a 12 m² room, the chandelier should have a diameter of around 60 cm. You can also estimate the number of arms and the diameter if it will be the sole light source. If you plan to use additional lighting, both the number of arms and the chandelier’s diameter can be smaller.

Calculating the Number of Chandelier Arms (Bulbs)

You can determine the approximate number of arms (bulbs) your chandelier needs using this formula:

• Number of Chandelier Arms (Bulbs) = Room Size in m² × Recommended Watts per m² ÷ 40

This calculation is divided by 40 because 40 watts is the standard output of a classic tungsten light bulb with a small E14 base. It’s worth noting that today, a 40W bulb can be effectively replaced by a 28W halogen bulb or a 4W LED bulb.

Recommended watts per m² by room type:

• Living room: 20 W/m²
• Kitchen: 15–20 W/m²
• Kitchen countertop: 30 W/m²
• Bedroom and hallway: 10–15 W/m²

Practical Example: Let’s say you have a living room measuring 6×6 m, which equals 36 m². To calculate the suitable number of chandelier arms: Number of Chandelier Arms = 36 (m²) × 20 (W/m²) ÷ 40 = 18 arms. Thus, your living room chandelier should ideally have 18 arms.

Calculating the Chandelier Diameter

You can calculate the ideal chandelier diameter (in cm) using this simple formula:

• Chandelier diameter in cm = 8 × (room width + room length in meters)

Example: If your living room is 4 meters long and 6 meters wide, the sum of these values is 10 meters. Ideal Chandelier Diameter = 8 × 10 = 80 cm.