A chandelier's type describes its structure, and each type is available in a variety of styles.
Crystal chandeliers are the most traditional and popular type of chandelier, but the ornate glasswork may not fit with the look of every home. The right chandelier for your home may not feature glasswork and instead have a design that relies on natural wood, exposed metal or unique pendant shapes. Don’t be afraid to consider types of chandeliers that create interesting contrast with your existing decor.
When looking for the best chandelier for a space, the most important detail to pay attention to is the height of the ceiling you’ll hang it from, as it should be compatible with the chandelier’s maximum hanging height. Other considerations should be how bright you’d want the space to be: the more light bulbs , the brighter the space can look, but dimmable bulbs is another option that will make things more customizable.
We spoke to Kati Curtis , principal designer of Kati Curtis Designs, on what to look for when shopping for a chandelier. “A well-designed chandelier embodies timeless elegance that transcends ever-changing design trends,” she says. “Its classic beauty ensures that it remains a captivating centerpiece for years to come, adding a touch of sophistication to any space.”
When you think of a chandelier, it’s likely that you think of giant, ornate candelabras or options dripping in crystal that end up weighing hundreds of pounds. And while those could be beautiful in some instances, they likely aren’t going to work in every home. However, there are plenty of options that can add quiet elegance, rustic style, or a beautiful show-stopping element to a simple space.
Best Overall
Joss & Main 6-Light Dimmable Classic Chandelier
Joss & Main
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Why You Should Get It
This lightweight, dimmable option has a simple, classic style that will complement many different styles.
Keep in Mind
The arms may need some adjusting upon set-up to make sure they look even when hung up.
Our overall choice for the best chandelier, this candle-style fixture has a simple, modern design, and is available in four sleek steel finishes: brass, stark white, matte black, and polished nickel. Its thinner arms paired with sharp angles lend it its contemporary look.
At 42 inches wide, it’s meant to be a centerpiece for a larger room, but its adjustable height makes it suitable for both low and high ceilings. It’s also compatible with dimmer switches, which will give off an ambience similar to that of real candlelight. Additionally, it can work on sloped ceilings and weighs in at a surprisingly light 7 pounds.
Product Details: Material: Steel | Type: Candle-style | Number of Bulbs: Six | Minimum Hanging Height: 25 inches | Maximum Hanging Height: 145 inches
Best Budget
Everly Quinn Chandelier
Wayfair
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$61
Why You Should Get It
It’s a simple, affordable option that will still add a wow factor above a dining table or kitchen island.
Keep in Mind
The chandelier has a rod that comes in three pieces instead of a chain, so the height can only be adjustable to the length of each rod.
Our pick for the best chandelier on a budget, this chandelier from Everly Quinn is incredibly affordable yet doesn’t skimp on style. With five light bulbs in the traditional candle-style, it also features straight, clean lines that add a modern, more updated feel to the chandelier. The brushed brass does look more gold than antique, so this is a fixture that would likely fit in better with more contemporary aesthetics.
It’s easy to assemble and can be screwed together simply with a screwdriver. Most notably, this chandelier has a rod instead of a chain to hang from, which comes in three pieces.
Consumers can screw the three pieces together to meet the maximum hanging height of around 47 inches or simply use just one to hang it at 25 inches. This means the height is still customizable but not in the way a chain can be adjusted inch by inch. Still, the rod is somewhat cleaner looking than a chain and adds to the chandelier’s modernity.
Product Details: Material: Metal | Type: Candle-style | Number of Bulbs: Five | Minimum Hanging Height: 25 inches | Maximum Hanging Height: 47.44 inches
Best Splurge
Lucca Iron Chandelier
Pottery Barn
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$699
Why You Should Get It
This iron chandelier can be used both indoors and outdoors and embodies the candle-style’s regal silhouette with its curved, sculptural arms.
Keep in Mind
It comes in two different sizes that have drastically different maximum hanging heights, so consumers should pay careful attention to which model would be the best chandelier for their home.
The careful detail on this Lucca Iron chandelier makes it a splurge-worthy purchase. With hand-finished metal and candle drip catchers under the light bulbs, this is a gorgeous nod to early candelabras. It’s finished with water-based brass or matte black that allow it to be placed outside, perhaps in a closed terrace or sunroom, but with a recommended ceiling height of 8 feet, it would be beautiful above a dining room table.
There are two different sizes available; one with a 38-inch diameter and the other with a 50-inch diameter – and while the smaller option has a maximum hanging height of 208 inches, the larger only has a maximum hanging height of around 100 inches. There are also two finishes: a matte black and a brass option. Both will add a regal, dramatic touch to any room in the house.
Product Details: Material: Iron and steel | Type: Candle-style | Number of Bulbs: Six | Minimum Hanging Height: 31 inches | Maximum Hanging Height: 208 inches
Best for Dining Room
Sculptural 7-Light Geo Chandelier
West Elm
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$459
Why You Should Get It
This contract-grade modern chandelier has a number of customizations available.
Keep in Mind
Busy houses with inquisitive children should take care; the large glass bulbs can easily bang together.
The customizations available for the West Elm Sculptural 7-Light Geo Chandelier make it a bespoke, modern option. Its lower maximum hanging height of 49 inches makes it a great option to hang above a dining table. To calculate the right height for your space, it’s recommended that the lowest point of a chandelier should hang 30–36 inches above the table’s surface.
Customizations include the color and size of the glass shades surrounding each of its seven hanging bulbs. Choose from three shade diameters and four shade colors including clear, milky white, silver ombre, and gold ombre. Additionally, there are three fixture finishes in antique brass, polished nickel, and bronze. This allows an opportunity to create a chandelier that will match your dining room in a way that best suits you.
Because this chandelier is both commercial- and residential-grade (commercial-grade generally means it's created to be durable and functional for frequent use and in high-traffic areas), it’s hardwired and likely requires professional installation. Still, that one-time cost will be worth it for those who are looking for a sturdy and customizable option for their dining room.
Product Details: Material: Metal | Type: Linear | Number of Bulbs: Seven | Minimum Hanging Height: 17.8 inches | Maximum Hanging Height: 49.2 inches
Best for Living Room
Better Homes & Gardens 6-Light Chandelier
Walmart
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$177
Why You Should Get It
Exposed bulbs allow users to create an aesthetic that works best for them; Edison bulbs add modern flair, while flame-tipped bulbs are perfect for a more rustic look.
Keep in Mind
It doesn’t have an adjustable chain, so consumers will have to make its 60-inch length work in their space.
This simple chandelier has a straightforward candle-style design, and it also comes in three finishes: satin nickel, black, and brass. Still, its branching arms and exposed sockets lean more towards a farmhouse or rustic style rather than the more antique or modern looks of some of its candle-style counterparts.
Its simplicity makes this model the best chandelier for a living room space that feels lived-in but elevated. Because there’s a rod instead of an adjustable chain, you’ll have to settle for its 60-inch length, but that length should prove workable for most rooms, as long as they are not particularly high or particularly low. Since chandeliers for dining rooms need to be at least 30-36 inches above the table, this would typically be a little too high. It’s also compatible with a dimmer as well.
Product Details: Material: Metal | Type: Candle style | Number of Bulbs: Six | Minimum Hanging Height: 60 inches | Maximum Hanging Height: 60 inches
Best for Entryway
Gracie Oaks Joree 8 -Light Lantern Chandelier
Wayfair
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$420
Why You Should Get It
A lantern-shaped chandelier is the perfect centerpiece for an entryway or foyer, creating a visual focal point.
Keep in Mind
The oil-rubbed bronze option and the gold both have a distressed appearance, but the chrome option is modern and shiny – so make sure you’re picking a colorway that matches your home aesthetic.
This chandelier was inspired by street oil lanterns, and the metal-caged frame certainly gives off that impression. Inside the frame, there’s a two-tiered candle-style design which keeps its style grounded in its older inspirations.
Overall, it’s a welcoming, eye-catching focal point for an entryway or foyer, while still managing to give off a modern, sculptural look. It comes in three different finishes—antique gold, silver, and oil-rubbed bronze—and each option will add a different feel to the space.
A perk of this chandelier is that unlike most options on this list, the bulbs are included; however, they’re not compatible with dimmer switches. Because of its maximum hanging height of a little over 7 feet, it’s best for lower ceilings and more designated foyer or entryway areas.
Product Details: Material: Metal | Type: Lantern | Number of Bulbs: Eight | Minimum Hanging Height: 34 inches | Maximum Hanging Height: 106 inches
Best for Bedrooms
Yansun LED Hanging Pendant Light
Lowes
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$68
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$68
Why You Should Get It
The low maximum hanging height and its mid-century style with modern finishes make it a perfect option for bedrooms.
Keep in Mind
This chandelier is only compatible with LED light bulbs, which come at a higher price point than traditional bulbs.
Sputnik-style chandeliers are the best chandeliers for those who like to adjust their lighting and the angles. This option has three arms that can rotate up to 270 degrees, meaning you can adjust them to point the light in whichever direction you need.
The silhouette is also perfect for those who lean towards midcentury modern style. This option also comes fully assembled out of the box with two ways to install: a cord wire or an extension rod. While the minimum and maximum hanging heights are relatively small in range (15 inches and 55 inches, respectively), that’s actually ideal for a bedroom: it’s recommended that you should keep a chandelier around 7 feet above your bed from its lowest point, making this a great option for bedrooms with 8 to 12 foot ceiling.
This chandelier is also dimmable, another aspect that makes it perfect for a bedroom. Keep in mind that this model only works with LED light bulbs, which end up being energy-efficient in the long run but do come at a higher cost initially.
Product Details: Material: Metal | Type: Sputnik | Number of Bulbs: Six | Minimum Hanging Height: 15.7 inches | Maximum Hanging Height: 55.1 inches
Best for Low Ceilings
Greyleigh Semi Flush Mount
Wayfair
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$124
Why You Should Get It
This semi-flush mount has the features of a chandelier but the bulbs spread out horizontally rather than vertically, making it a better choice for lower ceilings.
Keep in Mind
There’s no way to adjust this chandelier, so it may not be the right choice for those who imagined it hanging over a table or kitchen island.
A semi-flush mount is the perfect style of chandelier for those who have incredibly low ceilings but still want the look and feel that more traditional chandeliers can evoke. This option doesn’t have adjustable chains, and at 12 inches in length, it can easily work in homes with low ceilings. It comes in satin brass or black, and it can also be installed in bathrooms since it is able to be exposed to damp or moist environments without damage.
This candle-style chandelier still creates a focal point in a room, even without its ability to hang down from a chain or cord. The finishes will blend seamlessly into most homes, and it also has the ability to be connected to a dimmer switch for a change in ambience whenever you need it.
Product Details: Material: Steel | Type: Candle style | Number of Bulbs: Five | Minimum Hanging Height: 12 inches | Maximum Hanging Height: 12 inches
Best for High Ceilings:
Hunter Kerrison 12-Light Natural Iron Chandelier
Lowes
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$450
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$650
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$650
Why You Should Get It
This chandelier has a maximum hanging height of 179.5 inches.
Keep in Mind
With 12 bulbs that all have glass shades—especially when combined with high ceilings—this could be an especially complicated fixture to keep dust-free.
The Hunter Kerrison 12-Light Natural Iron Chandelier comes equipped with a chain that’s 144 inches long and a maximum hanging height of 179.5 inches. That, combined with its 40-inch width, ensures that this show-stopping chandelier will fit perfectly in an entryway or living room with particularly high ceilings. Additionally, the two-tiered chandelier has an iron frame and 12 seeded glass shades, both which contribute to its grandeur.
This iron chandelier is compatible with LED bulbs but they’re not required in installation, and it’s also compatible with dimmer switches and sloped ceilings. Consumers should keep in mind, however, that upkeep might be more involved with this model than some others: with 12 glass shades, this could require some intricate dusting when the time comes to clean it.
Product Details: Material: Iron | Type: Tiered | Number of Bulbs: 12 | Minimum Hanging Height: 35.75 inches | Maximum Hanging Height: 179.5 inches
Best Crystal
Monique Lhuillier Crystal Chandelier
Pottery Barn
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$399
Why You Should Get It
A modern take on an incredibly ornate chandelier style, this will add a sense of luxury to any room you place it in.
Keep in Mind
The brand recommends that this works best on 10-foot ceilings.
The Monique Lhuillier Crystal Chandelier is a more modern take on the classic crystal chandelier. It’s luxurious without being overly ornate, and the 171 drop crystals are fashioned in geode-style rectangles, which updates the look from its more previous iterations of round- and pear-shaped crystals.
The brand recommends installing the fixture onto ceilings that are close to 10 feet high, and it also recommends having a professional electrician install this. Additionally, you may want to consider that dusting this chandelier will likely be a task that requires delicate hands.
Product Details: Material: Metal and crystal | Type: Tiered | Number of Bulbs: Three | Minimum Hanging Height: 13.75 inches | Maximum Hanging Height: 120 inches
Best Iron
Pottery Barn Chandelier
Pottery Barn
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$799
Why You Should Get It
nspired by historic American lodges, this will be a rustic centerpiece for any home.
Keep in Mind
It’s not compatible with slanted or sloped ceilings.
Everything about this large, ornate chandelier gives off rustic, historical charm. The regal, round forged ring is held in place by rods, and the 12 candle-like light fixtures look like they’d go well in a medieval pub or castle. Still, its simple silhouette and lack of embellishments or detailing make it perfect for a cabin or country house without feeling like it belongs in a Renaissance fair.
This wrought iron statement piece has a wide, 50-inch diameter, and can even be used in enclosed patios so long as there’s no risk of leaking water. It won’t, however, work on a sloped or slanted ceiling, and the brand recommends you hire an electrician for installation because of its hardwiring. Still, once it's up, it’s likely to be the centerpiece of your room, with a wow factor that can’t be ignored.
Product Details: Material: Wrought Iron | Type: | Number of Bulbs: 12 | Minimum Hanging Height: 44.5 inches | Maximum Hanging Height: 80.5 inches
Best Linear
Three Posts Macklin 5 Linear Chandelier
Wayfair
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$230
Why You Should Get It
This sturdy linear chandelier won’t swing around, and is perfect for above a kitchen island or dining table.
Keep in Mind
You’ll be limited on how high you can hang this, as it’s attached by a rod instead of a chain.
Linear chandeliers have a straight line design, rather than a tiered or rounded design like most traditional chandeliers – with bulbs hanging horizontally across rather than vertically – making it perfect above a kitchen island or other spaces that have a limited hanging height.
The Three Posts Macklin 5 Linear Chandelier has five light bulbs that are encased in five cone-shaped glass sconces. Consumers should be caution when dusting and cleaning those glass sconces, however, as you wouldn’t want them to end up chipping.
This chandelier hangs from two rods that have a horizontal support bar, so it’s also a sturdier option that won’t shift or swing around with movement. It has a maximum hanging height of only 62 inches, comes in brass, silver, and black, and is also compatible with dimming switches.
Product Details: Material: Steel | Type: Linear | Number of Bulbs: Five | Minimum Hanging Height: 10 inches | Maximum Hanging Height: 62 inches
Best Modern
Better Homes & Gardens 5-Light Modern Chandelier
Walmart
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$84
Why You Should Get It
This is a more modern option that gives off the same aesthetic as popular mid-century desk lamps: it’s definitely a model that belongs in the late 20th and 21st centuries.
Keep in Mind
Inside the scones you’ll see brass, but it’s painted matte black on the outside with a durable powder coating – so it gives off a two-toned effect.
The Better Homes & Gardens 5-Light Modern Chandelier provides both a sleek and modern look to any space, with shaded sconces that have a two-toned effect of both brass and powder-coated black. It’s more reminiscent of a trendy desk lamp than the candle-style candelabras that might come to mind first.
The matte black finish is a powder-coated paint, although the inside of each shade is brass, and the all-metal appearance keeps it modern-looking and fresh. This chandelier has a fixed rod rather than a chain or cord, but at 27-inches long, it should be great for ceilings that are between 8- and 10-feet. There’s no option to dim the lights on these bulbs, however.
Product Details: Material: Metal | Type: Shaded | Number of Bulbs: Five | Minimum Hanging Height: 27 inches | Maximum Hanging Height: 27 inches
Best Rustic
Laurel Foundry Wagon Wheel Chandelier
Wayfair
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$176
Why You Should Get It
This wagon wheel chandelier is as rustic as you’re going to get, with its homey wood and metal finishes.
Keep in Mind
The seeded glass covers are not screwed in, so you can run the risk of knocking them over while dusting or switching out the light bulbs.
A wagon wheel chandelier is the best chandelier for rustic decor-lovers, even though chandeliers generally feel pretty rustic already. Still, the combination of wood and the look that’s similar to a wagon wheel, and would look gorgeous in a farmhouse-style kitchen or living room. It’s a versatile chandelier with the ability to be used in a damp or moist environment (but not suitable for the outside). It also can be paired with a dimmable switch.
The seeded glass sconces can be removed if that’s more your style, but the glass sconces are not screwed in or secured to the base. That means it does run the risk of breakage while cleaning the fixture or swapping out bulbs. It’s also a round, flat chandelier hanging from a chain, so it can swing from time to time.
Product Details: Material: Metal and wood | Type: Wagon wheel | Number of Bulbs: Six | Minimum Hanging Height: 27 inches | Maximum Hanging Height: 65 inches
Best Sputnik
George Oliver Modern Sputnik Chandelier
Wayfair
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$132
Why You Should Get It
This mid-century design staple adds a retro touch to living rooms and dining rooms.
Keep in Mind
These don’t have glass sconces attached to them, so consumers will need to purchase globe light bulbs separately to achieve the look seen in the images.
This Sputnik chandelier is a great example of mid-century modern decor that still looks fresh in a number of different decor styles and aesthetics – its black and brass look with the unique branching arms will look chic and new even if your style isn’t all mid-century.
The model itself features four rods and needs 12 light bulbs to work. It’s important to note that these light bulbs will determine the finished look of this chandelier: there’s no glass sconces, so adding Edison bulbs will make the end result feel different from, say, adding frosted glass bulbs.
It’s a brass model finished with spray-painted black, but it’s a rust-resistant paint that should maintain its look and finish over time.This chandelier can also be used with dimming bulbs and dimming switches, and the brand recommends using LED light bulbs (although it’s not necessary to get the chandelier to work) to save money and energy over time.
Product Details: Material: Metal and aluminum | Type: Sputnik | Number of Bulbs: 12 | Minimum Hanging Height: 15.4 inches | Maximum Hanging Height: 50 inches