Should You Buy a Crystal Chandelier?

If you're thinking about buying a crystal chandelier, there should be a lots of things that factor into your decision — the size of your home and the room it will be going in, the current decor, your budget and overall lifestyle among them.

Because chandeliers — especially crystal chandeliers — can get pricey, it's important that you don't enter lighting into the purchase of one. Consider the following before you break out that credit card:

Will a Crystal Chandelier Fit Comfortably in My Home?

Most people put chandeliers in their dining room, or foyer if they have one. The biggest mistake people usually make when buying crystal chandeliers is not thinking about how large they can actually be. You need to measure the space you want the chandelier to go, and think realistically about how low it will be hanging. Imagine constantly bumping your head when you come home because your chandelier is too big for the front hallway, or trying to having a conversation over dinner with crystal beads hanging right in front of your faces. Even a chandelier on the smaller side will look impressive and nice, so unless you have very high ceilings, go with something a bit smaller.

Will a Crystal Chandelier Look Right in My Home?

Crystal chandeliers lend a certain amount of opulent glamour, and thus will seem terribly appealing. However, look around the room you plan to put it in and ask yourself — will a crystal chandelier really look good here? If you have a very modern design scheme in your home, probably not. Likewise if you have kind of a vintage look going (unless it's '50s or '60s vintage, and you have a kind of Breakfast at Tiffany's thing happening). That's not to say that you can't have another kind of chandelier. There are very contemporary-looking chandeliers out there, and if you've decked out your house in a kind of '70s ironic hodge-podge look, an antler chandelier will probably look great.

Can I Afford a Crystal Chandelier?

Depending on size, quality and where you buy them, crystal chandeliers can run the gamut from a couple hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. Chances are yes, you can afford a crystal chandelier, especially since a lot of places offer financing on orders of a set price or more, but shop around first and make sure you get the best deal.

Is My Lifestyle Conducive To a Crystal Chandelier?

This might seem like a silly question, but ask yourself — do I have time to regularly clean a chandelier? Chandeliers get dirty, no matter what. They need to be cleaned on a regular basis, and if you have kids and/or pets, probably more often and definitely more thoroughly. (Also keep in mind that if you have kids, they will most likely try hanging from the thing, possibly breaking it and definitely leaving fingerprints everywhere.) If you have a very busy lifestyle, a crystal chandelier might not be for you.

Now that you have this information, think carefully about it before buying a crystal chandelier. Chandeliers are beautiful no doubt, but you might just want to hold off.


------

KingdomLightingUSA.com is your source for antique and modern chandeliers at wholesale prices, in addition to table and floor lamps, wall sconces, and mini-lamp shades. Whether you're looking for a rustic iron piece or a flush mount crystal chandelier, our wide selection of discount lighting products has it all!