The living room chandelier: A must-have in interior design!
When you want to light up a living space, especially the living room, you very often think of chandeliers! At least all kinds of ceiling lights that are both stylish and functional, steeped in history and built to last for years. The LED technology of modern bulbs particularly helps with this. In this article, we will talk about the different types of lighting fixtures available, as well as how to incorporate them into a dining room, loft, or beautiful living room. The chandeliers and pendant lights we will talk about here can be installed in pretty much any room, but especially in a modern living room or retro-vintage one.
Why a chandelier in the living room?
The chandelier is the centerpiece of a home. It provides general lighting, whether indirect or direct. In addition to its luminous appeal, simply looking at a beautiful chandelier always creates a strong impression! The majestic look of a colorful model such as the Venetian style, or even the inverted balloon and cascading look of the hot air balloon chandelier, is always breathtaking, even when they are turned off.
Traditionally, since the Baroque era, the chandelier has always adorned the living rooms of the finest private mansions, guesthouses, restaurants, and more recently, modern homes. Styles have changed, but the principle has remained the same: general lighting that will diffuse a white light, or a soft light depending on the desired ambiance. The first type of hanging light fixture was the Marie-Thérèse chandelier, with its very distinctive Bohemian crystal. Gold-colored metal such as gold or gold-leaf-covered brass was also used on the structure to impress guests, while illuminating the room with an even greater refraction of light.
Then came Italian design, with the Venetian chandelier. Made on the island of Murano near Venice, this superb ceiling lamp model is composed of crystals and glass blown by hand by artisans. It is often seen in the shape of a candlestick, and nowadays the structure incorporates LED spotlights on the faux candles. It is a superb pendant chandelier model to illuminate a modern living room, or one with a retro feel!
The hot air balloon chandelier also, with its crystal pendeloques, featuring a metal structure such as wrought iron or silver, was very fashionable for decades, if not centuries. We are seeing more and more of them today, as the taste for designs from times past is coming back into fashion.
How to choose your living room chandelier?
Start by measuring your living room or loft. If the size allows, meaning more than 20 square meters, as well as a ceiling height of more than 3 meters, you can choose an adjustable-height chandelier that can reveal a fairly large diameter. Typically, a rounded or square chandelier of more than 50 centimeters may be the choice many will make. Also, you can opt for a balanced solution with wall sconces and a floor lamp here and there, made of materials that harmonize with those of the chandelier, such as wood or fabric, for example. This solution will distribute the light flow proportionally.
The choice of the living room chandelier's shape is very important! A cylindrical or conical model will rather diffuse focused lighting on a specific point, such as a coffee table or a piece of art. This is especially true if the chosen lampshade is colored so that the bulb does not diffuse light to the sides. It is up to you to define the type of lighting you prefer for your interior.
Also take into account the decoration style present in your interior. If you have an industrial-style living room adorned with matte black metal, grid spotlights, or anthracite gray factory-style lamps, then a bell-shaped chandelier made of aluminum or brass almost naturally imposes itself. In the case of a Scandinavian style where white, beige, and light brown are dominant, then a rattan chandelier, natural wood such as oak or ash, but also white metal or frosted glass, are relevant choices that will harmonize the interplay of colors as well as the design already present in the room.
For southern and oriental living rooms, treat yourself to colored glass chandeliers, Venetian chandeliers, or decorative bamboo, or even mahogany-colored solid wood.
If you are looking for a minimalist decoration and rather functional lighting, you can go for a fairly affordable polycarbonate plastic chandelier, or bamboo. Why? Because they are generally inexpensive models that diffuse the light source well and allow you to decorate the room with great ease.
What level of brightness to illuminate the living room?
For a crystal chandelier, one or more low-wattage LED bulbs are preferable, as the crystal's ability to project light is amplified through each pendeloque.
For a wooden chandelier that will diffuse a soft light, you can increase the wattage. The configuration of the lampshade is important: If the lampshade is inverted, the light flow will be projected directly onto the ceiling wall of your living room, so you can choose a fairly powerful bulb.
For a metal chandelier, it depends on the type of iron or steel chosen. Chrome metal disperses the brightness with brilliance and shine, so the rule is almost the same as for crystal. We can mention nickel, copper, and gold. Whether you want a kitchen chandelier or living room one, the choice of material is essential.