Lighting design has come a long way since the invention of the light bulb, but while these days it’s possible to find lighting fixtures in almost any shape or size, sometimes sticking with the classics is the best way to make a statement. Crystal chandeliers with old-fashioned, candle-style bulbs have their own iconic charm, and while traditional design is generally on its way out, placed alone in a more contemporary space, these distinctive antique lights can add a touch of sophistication to just about any room without feeling dated or overly ornate.
Foyer Chandeliers (To Show Off For Your Neighbors)
Foyers and two-story entryways are probably the most common place that traditional-style chandeliers are still used regularly in contemporary homes, if only because they’re a good way to fill a generally-empty space that isn’t good for much else. Some homes are designed with this type of chandelier in mind, with peep-hole windows above the front door that put your chandelier on display for anyone who passes by. If you have a high-ceilinged entryway, traditional chandeliers are both a good source of over-all lighting and an easy way to make your space feel grand. More contemporary chandeliers can occupy this same space, but often struggle to fill it the way a multi-tiered chandelier can.
Traditional Chandeliers For A Contemporary Dining Room
Big, multi-tiered, crystal-draped chandeliers are a staple of large, separate dining rooms, but these days almost no one has either. Separate dining rooms are often converted for another use, or integrated into a larger greatroom where there’s no place for an oversized lighting fixture. That said, a smaller but still classically-inspired chandelier is a good way to lend a touch of class to a greatroom-dining room or act as an anchor for a table that might otherwise feel adrift. Especially if you opt for a small, round table over a large rectangular one, a petite chandeliette can really help add definition and focus to your space, leaning on that little bit of tradition to prop up the “dining room” feel in a barrier-free eating area.
Dress Up A Contemporary Kitchen With Old Fashioned Chandeliers
As dining rooms have lost favor and kitchens have become the center for eating and entertaining in an increasing number of homes, the act of sharing meals has become steadily more casual. But if you want eating around a kitchen island to have a slightly more sit-down feel, adding a chandelier or two in place of an island pendant can help more than you might think. Where more conventional glass pendant lights can really play up the dressed-down, bar-like feel of kitchen island seating, a pair of traditional chandeliers (and, okay, maybe some slightly nicer bar stools) can help re-infuse your space with the formal feel of a more traditional dining room.
Bathroom Chandeliers For An Extra Luxurious Bubble Bath
Bathrooms are certainly a less traditional spot to put a chandelier, but maybe unsurprisingly have become an incredibly common one as part of the trend towards big, luxurious bathrooms. Because chandeliers signify opulence and decadence, they’re a nice shorthand way to help elevate your space. Even a relatively small, simple crystal chandelier can help underscore the high-end elements in your bathroom. They’re also great for creating a visual tableau, particularly in tandem with a freestanding bathtub. As with small dining tables, a good chandelier can help orient and anchor a freestanding bathtub, making it feel picture-perfect.
Beautify Your Bedroom With A Crystal Chandelier?
It can be really tempting to want to install a big, ornate lighting fixture in your bedroom. After all, what better way is there not only to give your master suite a sophisticated feel, but also good all-over ambient lighting? The problem is, most contemporary bedrooms don’t have the ceiling height needed to pull this look off. A big chandelier in a too-small room is at best an eyesore (making your room feel small and crowded), and at worst a hazard for tall people who can bonk their heads on low-hanging crystals. That said, chandeliers work precisely as you intend in rooms with higher ceilings, and if you don’t happen to have them, you’re not totally out of luck. Smaller chandelettes used in place of sconces or pendants can hang over your nightstands, lending that classic sense of sophistication without getting in the way or overwhelming your space.
Bring Your Interior Design Outside With An Outdoor Chandelier
Now, on the surface this definitely seems the most oddball of the suggestions on this list, but hear me out: as dining rooms, kitchens, and living rooms are starting to merge with each other, so too is the line between indoor and outdoor spaces starting to get blurred. Especially in areas with warmer climates and milder winters, it’s become more and more common to see outdoor kitchens, outdoor dining rooms, and even big, comfy outdoor lounges, complete with televisions and fireplaces. And if you ask me, there’s no better way to make these spaces feel even homier than to top them off with a classic chandelier. The less covered your space, the more care you’ll need to take with wiring and installation, but in a fully covered patio, a chandelier is not only a great way to finish the space, but also ensure you have enough light to enjoy it after dark!
While big, grand crystal chandeliers are, in many ways, a relic of the past, they come with just the right amount of traditional baggage to make them a keen design asset if used properly. Adding a traditional chandelier to just about any room in your home is a great way to incorporate a touch of sophistication into your decor, and elevate a contemporary space without making it feel overly ornate.
