The word chandelle is French for candle, thus chandelier came to apply to a candleholder that hung from the ceiling. The very earliest chandeliers were simple wooden crosses hung from the ceiling with a candle stuck on a pike at each end of the cross and sometimes on the center where the two pieces of the cross met. This allowed for easy candle replacement. When a candle burned down, another was stuck in its place. At first chandeliers were used in medieval churches or abbeys in order to give enough light to see in their big rooms. Later, chandeliers could be found in the biggest rooms of castles and the homes of the very wealthy. Beautifully ornate chandeliers can be seen prominently displayed in Dutch and Flemish paintings of wealthy households in the fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth centuries; proving that they were considered status symbols.

To increase the light thrown by chandeliers shiny brass plates, mirrors and dangling rock crystals were used. Later, glass with lead oxide added was used to diffract the light. This glass could be shaped easily into beautiful designs. Over the years, the candles in chandeliers changed from tallow to wax. With the advent of electricity, the chandelier became more of a decoration than a needed light source. Nowadays, the beauty of chandeliers graces many different homes in many different styles.

The late Victorian style of chandelier has blown globes of glass stacked in four or eight tiers on brass wheels. These chandeliers give off a soft pearly glow. There is a version that was popular in the seventies that used a white opaque glass and were much brighter than their Victorian forerunners.

There is a type of chandelier that has engraved tulip shaped frosted flutes as its main decorative ingredient. These are usually mounted on a metal wheel and give off a very bright light.

When you see glass shades dangling down from the wheel instead of sitting up like cups, you are looking at an Arts and Crafts style of chandelier. These dangling glass shades come in pairs of two, four or six. The metal frame is rustic looking.

Mission style chandeliers do not cast quite as bright a light as other styles. They use black iron wheels or crosses with square shades. The shades have opaque white or pearly glass that is streaked.

The wagon wheel style of chandelier is a wooden wheel with small lampshades on top of it containing electric lights in the shapes of candle flames. Usually these lights will give off a dim yellowish light.

If you are looking at a chandelier that is a metal starburst with multicolored Christmas bulbs shooting from it, you are looking at an Atomic Age chandelier.

Art Deco chandeliers have colorful round pendant drops and flower-shaped shades. Their colors are often green or pink, and they may be either frosted or streaked.

There are chandeliers that have beautiful Tiffany-style glass in a multitude of colors to go with any décor.

Of course, crystal chandeliers are usually the most elaborate style. They often look like they are dripping brilliantly reflective and refractive glass raindrops. Crystal chandeliers are often delightfully ornate. They may have swags of rounded glass beads as well as flame-shaped light bulbs. Sometimes they are made with Murano glass, adding brilliant colors to their designs. They will add elegance to any room wherein they are used.

The first consideration when installing a chandelier is the electrical supply and existing support. If you are replacing an existing light fixture, then you will already have the support and junction box that you will need. You will want to compare the weight of the new chandelier light fixture to the weight of the light fixture that you are replacing. If the weights are comparable, you will be able to use the existing support and junction box. If the new chandelier is heavier, you will want to replace the junction box with one that can support the additional weight. Never install a chandelier without making sure that it has adequate support.

Before removing the old fixture or doing any work to install a new fixture, make sure the power to the circuit is shut off, and always use a circuit tester to insure that the power is turned off before any work begins. If you are not comfortable working with electricity, you should always hire a professional to perform the installation. If you are installing the fixture where no light existed previously, or if you need to move the location of the light, you will need to first install a new junction box. These boxes need to be installed securely, using a bracket that expands so that it can be installed between the ceiling joists, and must be matched to the overall weight of the light fixture so that proper support is provided.

If you are replacing an existing light fixture, you will first need to remove it. Make note of how this fixture was installed. It can be helpful to use tape to mark the existing wires so that you have a guide to follow when installing the new fixture. Install a new junction box if the existing one is not adequate for the weight of the new chandelier light fixture. There should be a mounting strap attached to the junction box from the previous fixture, which you can use for the new fixture if it is sturdy enough, or you can purchase and install a new strap.

The new chandelier will be wired to the junction box in the same manner as the previous fixture. If you marked the wires with tape, this will make it easier to match up and install the new fixture. New wires will need to have about a half inch of insulation removed so that they can be attached to the junction box wires. Twist the wires together, and then use wire nuts to secure the connections. Then, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to complete the installation of the new chandelier lighting fixture.

You will also need to adjust the height of the chandelier so that it hangs properly. If you are hanging the fixture over a table or countertop, it should hang between 30 to 36 inches above the surface. In the case of very high ceilings, this distance can be increased slightly to give a better overall proportion to the room. When hanging a chandelier light fixture in other areas of a room, such as in a foyer, make sure that there is at least seven feet of clearance under the chandelier to provide adequate head space. Again, in the case of very high ceilings, hanging the chandelier a little higher usually creates a more pleasing visual effect.

These permanently placed centerpieces are magnets for dust, grease and other air particles. While the lights are shining brightly, cooking, pollen and dirt that may travel in on the clothing of people who live in or visit the home and ordinary house dust collect on both the bulbs and the shiny features of chandelier lighting. In order to clean the chandelier, you will need to take certain safety precautions.

First, turn the light off at the light switch. If it is possible, kill the electricity to the light through the circuit breaker in your house. Sometimes, just flipping the light switch will no be enough to protect you from electric shock or other dangers of electrical current – like potential fire if any sparks fly off and land on carpet or flammable decor. If the light has been on for a while, allow the lighting to cool.

To make sure you have enough lighting while you clean, bring in a light source that is plugged into an outlet in another room or one that uses an extension cord with a power surge protector. You always need to be able to see exactly what you are doing.

Move the table away and spread a soft, old blanket in the floor beneath the lighting to protect any parts that might fall during cleaning. The blanket cushions the fall and, in most cases, prevents breakage. On top of the blanket, use a tarp or plastic floor cover to protect the floor from any spilled liquids. Choose a secure ladder for climbing with a level platform to place cleaning supplies while you work.

If you do regular dusting, then you may only need to do a dry cleaning of your fixture. Take a dry cloth and wipe down the chandelier carefully. Microfiber cloths work the best because they are lint free and get rid of smudges better than paper towels or cotton – which can leave a dust residue behind. You will need one cloth to get rid of the dirt and the other to polish. Although it is considered dry cleaning, some chandelier lighting owners spray small amounts of glass cleaner on the first cloth to make it damp enough to remove greasy dirt.

If you decide to do wet cleaning, use an approved cleaning solution for your chandelier fixture. Often, the instructions from the manufacturer will come with specific details about which products are not good for the life of your lighting. If in doubt, call a local retailer of your chandelier to see if there is a stocked supply of a cleaner that your manufacturer recommends. Often, a one-part ammonia and two-parts distilled water solution works.

With wet cleaning, you can spray the cleaner directly onto the fixture, but you must cover the bulbs with small sandwich bags and secure the bottom of the covering with rubber bands. This prevents water from getting into the bulb socket. Spray evenly and allow the spray to drip on the drop cloth you have placed below. Then wipe each part of the fixture to clean off the dirt.

Allow 48 hours of drying time for your chandelier lighting before you turn the light back on at the circuit breaker.

Chandelier lighting fixtures, if you purchase the right one, will disperse light evenly over your entire house as well as draw all eyes to it when your guests enter the room. A chandelier is meant to be elegant, a central point of any room, but should not sacrifice its functionality in the process. Finding just the right chandelier can sometimes be a daunting and difficult task, especially if you do not know what to look for. As you read, you will learn what is out there, what to look for, and how to shop for the perfect chandelier for your home.

There are a number of things you need to know and consider when shopping around for just the right chandelier lighting fixture for your home. Many things, such as the amount of money you are willing to spend on the chandelier, the type of chandelier you are looking for, and the material from which you want your chandelier to be made, can be used to locate the right fixture. Once you have answered all of these questions and know exactly what you are looking for, you will not have to make those important decisions while you are actually shopping.

The first thing to consider when shopping for the perfect chandelier lighting fixture is how much money you are willing to spend on this one item. The reason it is so important to consider this first is because it effects every other decision you make. It is important to remember that it is possible to find a decent and practical chandelier on almost any budget no matter how small, within reason, that budget may be. You can find a good chandelier ranging from one hundred dollars to thousands, but it is also important to remember that expensive does not always mean better.

The next thing to consider is what design of chandelier are you looking for. Remember, a chandelier will often times become the central decoration of a room as well as the central lighting source. Because of this, it is of utmost importance that your chandelier matches the decoration scheme of the rest of the room. For example, if you are going to have a modernly decorated room, it is probably best not to use an antique chandelier to light the room.

Lastly, it is important to consider what type of material from which you want your chandelier to be made. Chandelier lighting fixtures come made from all sorts of different materials. You can get chandeliers made from steel, crystal, glass, or even plastics. It is at this point that you must consider your budget along with the material you are looking for. If you have a smaller budget, it might not be reasonable to look for a chandelier made out of one hundred percent fine crystal.

Hopefully, now that you have an idea of exactly the type of chandelier you are looking for; you are better equipped to begin shopping for your chandelier without having to worry about all the hassle when it comes right down to it.

Chandeliers have been used since medieval times, but crystal was not used until around the 18th century, when advances in glassmaking techniques allowed lead crystal to be produced more efficiently. Using crystal quickly became popular because of the reflective and refractive qualities of crystal, which was not only highly effective when used in lighting, but also beautiful.

Although many people think that crystal chandeliers are only suitable for very formal or fancy homes, this is not the case. These lovely lighting fixtures come in a wide variety of styles and sizes, and can be used effectively in both formal and more casual decorating styles. While crystal chandeliers are often found in foyers, entranceways, and dining rooms, they can also be used in the bedroom and even the bathroom to add to the mood of the room. For example, in a master bathroom, a simple crystal chandelier, hung in close proximity to the tub can add a luxurious touch. In the bedroom, the reflective nature of the crystal and its ability to scatter light around the room can be used very effectively as mood lighting.

When selecting a crystal chandelier, one should consider the size of the room in which it is to be hung, as well as the overall style of the room and the other furnishings and features within the room. It is also important to consider the overall lighting needs of the room. A good rule of thumb when selecting the size of the chandelier is to choose one no wider than 2 feet for over a dining table for six people, no wider than 2-1/2 feet for a table for eight, and no wider than 3-1/2 feet for a table for 10 or 12. While a chandelier for a foyer can be 30 to 40 percent of the width of the foyer, a good guide for other rooms is to measure the width of the room in inches, then divide that measurement by six to determine the overall diameter of a chandelier for the room. For example, a room that is 15 feet wide could use a chandelier that is 30 inches in diameter.

Cost can vary widely when selecting a crystal chandelier. Chandeliers, which are very ornate or large, can be quite pricey, while smaller and simpler chandeliers are more affordable. While it is possible to purchase a small crystal chandelier for a couple hundred dollars, it is also possible to find those that cost thousands of dollars. Cost is not only dependent on the size and complexity of the chandelier, but also can vary depending on the quality of the materials used, as well as the size and quantity of the crystals themselves.

There are many options available when purchasing a crystal chandelier for the home. It is possible to purchase second-hand chandeliers, such as through a thrift shop, estate sale, or through an online auction site to save money. Using this method, one can often find beautiful vintage chandeliers as well as modern pieces for much less than what it would cost for a new crystal chandelier. It is also possible to purchase factory seconds and display models to save on cost as well.