Chandeliers: How Low CAN You Go?
By Christa Terry
Can those of us with shorty ceilings still hang chandeliers?
Despite loving high ceilings, some of us are forced by circumstance or budget or whatever to reside in dwellings with low ceilings, and when those low ceilings are especially low, that can limit lighting design options. Now as I enjoy my summer vacay and finally spend some real time working on my own home, which has felt terribly neglected these past months, I’m finding that my lighting choices feel quite limited by my own low ceilings. Recessed lighting? I can’t say I dig it. Our current lighting is comprised mainly of those flush with the ceiling lights shaped like boobies, complete with nipple, and they’re not my favorites. Which is why I’ve been wondering, and thought I’d ask you, how low do you think you can go with hanging lighting in a space with low ceilings? Are chandeliers paired with low ceilings just ridiculous? What about when they’re over a table or piece of furniture that guarantees no one will bang their heads? Leave your thoughts below so I can use your help to decide what I really think about big dramatic lighting in wee unassuming spaces!
August 15th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
I don’t like low chandeliers, they just feel weird to me, and even when they’re over furniture I get real paranoid like I’m just this close to bopping my head on it.
August 17th, 2011 at 2:25 am
Flor lamps? A friend has some extra tall ones in his low-ceilinged apartment and they work rather well.
August 17th, 2011 at 2:26 am
Sorry —I meant floor lamps.
August 24th, 2011 at 7:12 pm
I think it depends.
No, seriously, I like the look of the chandelier over the table, where it is clearly out of the way. Over the bed looks really weird, and I would never be able to sleep from fear the thing was going to mysteriously lose its grip and plummet into the pillows. Also, probably a light-weight, gossamerlike chandelier would work, but not anything that was visually heavy.
August 25th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
I hate to say it but you might be out of luck. I don’t think you can go very low with chandeliers. They always make such a huge statement that if it’s low it might be weird. I wish you luck though! Very fun post, I feel your pain with the ‘boobie’ lighting!
http://www.denydesigns.com/
August 31st, 2011 at 5:51 am
My personal opinion is that if you want a chandelier you should get one. When having a low ceiling, of course, your chandelier won’t be as “hanging” as you have imagined but the most important thing for a lamp is to look good and light the room so don’t give up. Search, good luck!