You would be surprised how quality and creative lighting can change the ambiance of your home. And, lighting is one of the easiest and most cost-effective improvements you can make. All it takes is some inspiration. For this reason we provide you with a few extra guidelines to help you choose the right chandelier for your home.
Make sure to think about room size, bulb type, fixture colors and wattage. Each of these are briefly explained below.
Size
For starters, a basic rule of thumb for choosing the right size chandelier requires a few measurements. Determine the length and width of the room and add those figures together. The sum, converted to inches, will equal the diameter of the correct size chandelier.
Example:
Your dining room is 16 ft. x 12 ft. Knowing that 16 + 12 is 28, the proper size chandelier for the dining room would be 28 inches in diameter. Keep in mind, the minimum diameter of the chandelier should be about half the width of your table.
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Bulb Type
Secondly, determine the purpose (which helps you choose the type of bulb to use). Are you creating a room for relaxation, specific tasks (such as studying) or do you need general lighting? Here is some general information about the three most common bulbs used today.
Incandescent:
In order to create a warmer, more inviting living space, you should use incandescent light bulbs. This type of bulb will be able to generate that particular mood or atmosphere because it tends to cast a slight yellow tone. This is the most common type of bulb found in homes today. It is the cheapest to buy but is sadly the least efficient. Some types of incandescent bulbs include: A-bulbs, Reflector bulbs, Globe shaped bulbs and Par bulbs.
Fluorescent:
These energy efficient lights are very bright and are thus, good for lighting detailed projects, such as reading fine print or sewing. While they are efficient, a common reason for disliking them is that their light lacks warmth and can appear harsh. Some types of fluorescent bulbs include: T-12, T-8, circular fluorescents and compact fluorescents (which are the most popular of the fluorescents). They come in 2 foot, 4 foot and 8 foot lengths.
Halogen:
This type of bulb uses a halogen gas which heats to a very high temperature, and through chemical reaction, deposits tungsten back on the filament. The bulbs last considerably longer than incandescent bulbs and provide bright, yet soft, quartz lighting. The best use for Halogens is in fixtures and lamps because they provide clear white light. Do not use in homes with small children because the bulbs get quite hot.
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Choose the right color for a particular environment, such as pink shades for romance, purple shades for wealth, or red shades for fame.
If you want to denote another mood for your environment, such as a space for relaxation, or for a special occasion, then the type of light bulbs that you use can help you achieve it.
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Lastly, consider the wattage. Luckily, there is a proven formula for calculating the proper amount of general light (usually expressed in watts) which is applicable for each room of your home. Multiply the length times the width of the room. Then, multiply that number times 1.5. With the example given above, 16 x 12 equals 192, and 192 x 1.5 equals 288 watts. This gives you the amount of wattage you need to light the room properly for general illumination.
Things to Keep in Mind
Also consider, some areas in your home may be used as task areas and may need extra illumination such as a kitchen work island or a desk area where schoolwork is done. For these task areas, multiply length by width, then multiply that number by 2.5 (rather than 1.5) for extra wattage.
Keeping these guidelines in mind, you should now be able to select the right size chandelier, the appropriate bulb type, and the amount of wattage necessary for any room in your home. 
Since they are the rooms most often seen by company, the most popular rooms to feature chandeliers include the Dining Room, Living Room, and Foyer. Other rooms that are recently featuring chandeliers include Large Bathrooms, Bedrooms, Kitchens, Kitchen Nooks, and Studios.
Choosing the right style for the room of choice is up to you. It is suggested that chandeliers match the theme of the room, but is certainly not required. So use these guidelines to help narrow down the field, and have fun shopping for your chandelier!
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