How to choose a chandelier: we make beautiful lighting at home

A well-chosen chandelier and type of lighting can transform the interior, making the room more comfortable, sophisticated or noble. Today we will tell you how to choose a chandelier from a huge variety of products that suits your home perfectly.

What chandelier to choose for a bedroom, kitchen or hall: features of the chandelier glow

Choosing a chandelier in the living room

A massive hanging chandelier for several bulbs or several lamps will look good in a spacious living room. Multilevel lighting will also be relevant. If the room is compact and has low walls, you should use a ceiling chandelier.

Crystal chandeliers, exquisite glass models and luxurious chandeliers with many lamps are often used to illuminate living rooms. It is important to consider the style of the interior.

Choosing a chandelier in the bedroom

In the bedroom, small chandeliers and near-surface lamps look most appropriate, the color temperature of which is about 3000 K. At the same time, it is good if the room has a dimmer – with its help you can create the most comfortable and relaxing environment. In addition to the main chandelier, it is advisable to use additional light sources (floor lamps or table lamps) – in case you want to read before bed.

Choosing a chandelier for the kitchen

In small kitchens, ceiling chandeliers-plates, lamps with a lampshade and models with small shades look good. For larger rooms, more classic models are suitable, for example, products with 5-6 shades or lamps with hanging chains and candles. It is important to note that it is better not to buy chandeliers made of paper, wood, cardboard, branches, dried flowers and leaves (even if the kitchen is made in the style of 'ethno', 'country' or 'eco'). Such products are not protected from moisture and dust in any way and can quickly become unusable.

Choosing a chandelier in the bathroom

It is worth choosing closed lamps in the bathroom, into which moisture and dust cannot get. It is desirable that they have medium to high IP protection. But even in this case, they cannot be placed closer than 50-60 cm to the shower stall or bath.

Choosing a chandelier for the nursery

In the nursery, you need to buy a chandelier made of durable material. You should not buy crystal or glass models, which can injure the little robber if he decides to test the chandelier for strength or just throws the ball unsuccessfully. For the same reason, you should not use massive pendant models.

It is important that the child in the nursery is comfortable not only to play, but also to read. At the same time, do not forget about the design of the product – the baby should like it. Toddlers will love the cartoon or animal characters on the chandeliers, while older kids will love the regular lampshade.

Choosing a chandelier in the hallway

Most of the hallways are elongated and small in size. Therefore, it is recommended to choose compact and laconic chandeliers in them. It is also possible to install multiple recessed lights.

It is desirable that the lighting in the hallway has a warm white color temperature. So, having gone home, it will be easier for a person to tune in to rest and relieve stress.

How to choose the type of chandelier base

The lamp base must match the chandelier holder. All plinths are designated by a specific letter and number. The letter indicates the type of base (for example, E – threaded, G – pin), and the number – size. The most common (classic) is the E27 base. Any lamps can have such a base. The second place is taken by E14 or minion. It is smaller and is often used in combination with compact, narrow lamps.

Pin plinths are increasingly being used. They are used in compact halogen and LED lamps and decorative luminaires. Such bases can have the values ​​G4, G9, G53.

Many chandeliers made in China may have unusual lamp bases. Therefore, choose products from trusted manufacturers that indicate all the characteristics of their product.

Choosing the size of the chandelier

Determining the power of the chandelier

The power of the chandelier is determined by the power of all lamps. The power depends on the purpose of a particular room (for children, work, rest) and the size of the room.

When buying, keep in mind that each chandelier is designed for a certain power (specified by the manufacturer), if exceeded, the product may become unusable. It should also be taken into account that different types of lamps with the same power emit different amounts of light.

For example, to light a bathroom, you need two 40-watt bulbs or one 10-watt LED lamp, and for a medium-sized room, 150-200 watt (about 4 40 watt incandescent lamps) or two 12 watt LED lamps are enough.

What are the chandeliers, depending on the mount

Depending on the type of attachment, chandeliers can be divided into:

1. Suspended;

2. Surface or ceiling.

Suspended models are suspended from a hook using a flexible suspension. They can have different sizes and a different number of shades. The length of the suspension can be adjusted in many models. Chandeliers on long hangers look beautiful in large and spacious rooms. If you use such models in small rooms with low ceilings, this will make the room even smaller.

Ceiling chandeliers are installed with brackets and mounting plate. They are ideal for small spaces with low ceilings. Therefore, they are often used in kitchens, bathrooms, corridors.

What material to choose a chandelier from

1. The quality, appearance of the product and other characteristics depend on the material used in the production of the chandelier. For example, models with a fabric or paper lampshade can be fire hazardous. In addition, the fabric tends to accumulate dust. Plastic products, in turn, can begin to melt when the maximum permissible power of the chandelier is exceeded.

2. Glass and crystal models are very popular. They have a beautiful appearance and fit many interior styles. Crystal is more expensive than glass, but it creates an aristocratic, sophisticated atmosphere in the home.

3. Metal, wood and ceramics are also commonly used in the production of chandeliers. Metal is durable, reliable, fireproof and durable, and wood fits perfectly into any interior. Unfortunately, wood products should not be used in kitchens or bathrooms. they do not tolerate temperature extremes and high humidity. In addition, the tree attracts insects.

4. Products made from ceramics look great, but they are more fragile. Therefore, wipe these chandeliers carefully so as not to violate their integrity.

Moisture and dustproof chandelier

When buying a lighting fixture in a bathroom, loggia or terrace, you should take into account its moisture and dust resistance, because it is in these rooms that small splashes of water or foreign bodies can get on the product. Its level of protection is determined by the Ingress Protection (IP) classification. For example, lamps with IP 44, IP 65, IP 54 ratings are often used in baths. The higher the last two digits, the better the product is protected from dust and moisture. The minimum level of protection for residential premises is IP 20.

How to choose a lamp for a chandelier

First of all, you need to decide what type of bulbs you will use. These can be incandescent, fluorescent, halogen and LED lamps. Each of these devices has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let's consider them in more detail.

Incandescent lamps

Incandescent lamps are classics. They create light by heating the filament. They used to be used almost everywhere, but now they are falling out of fashion and being replaced by more efficient energy-saving options.

Incandescent bulbs produce a warm yellow-white color, and their wattage is 15-200 watts. They can be matte, transparent or colored.

These devices get very hot. For example, a 75 W light bulb reaches 250 degrees after half an hour of operation, and a 200 W light bulb reaches 330 degrees. If you screw in the product with too high a power, you can damage the chandelier.

Advantages

• Low cost;

• Great for lighting small spaces;

• The brightness of the light bulb can be adjusted with a dimmer;

• Lights up immediately after switching on;

disadvantages

• Fragility – easy to damage;

• The light output of classic bulbs is about 5-15 lumens per watt. This means that they have low efficiency and economy;

• Burn out quickly;

Fluorescent lamps

Fluorescent or energy-saving light bulbs emit soft, diffused light.

Advantages

• Such products are four times more efficient than incandescent lamps. If you replace a 100-watt incandescent lamp with a 22-watt energy-efficient lamp, you get the same amount of light. In addition, fluorescent light sources require 50–80% less energy;

• Maintain a low temperature (up to 50 degrees) even after many hours of work;

• Variety of light spectrum;

• Saving. Although these lamps are more expensive than conventional lamps, they last 10 times longer and use only a third of the electricity. This cannot but affect your electricity bills and wallet;

disadvantages

• The lamps contain mercury. Therefore, when they stop working, they must be handed over to a special collection point;

• Frequent switching on and off of a fluorescent lamp can shorten its life. Therefore, it is not recommended to use it in rooms where the light will constantly turn on and off;

• If the lamp breaks, it is necessary to ventilate the room and treat the surfaces of manganese solutions;

Halogen lamps

A halogen lamp is a retrofitted incandescent lamp. However, the durability of such a model is 2000–4000 hours (for a conventional 60 W incandescent lamp, it is about 1000 hours). The light spectrum is close to natural.

These devices use 10-20% less energy than a classic storage lamp. They are rarely used in chandeliers, more often in spotlights, car headlights and other sources of glare.

Advantages

• Less energy consumption than its predecessor;

• Small size. Halogen bulbs can be very compact without reducing their power;

• Good color rendering;

disadvantages

• They get very hot. This can damage the parts of the chandelier and cause burns;

• More expensive than conventional incandescent lamps;

• Do not touch halogen lamps with bare hands. Fatty fingerprints will shorten the life of the product;

LED lamps

LED or LED lamps are just as effective as fluorescent lamps, but can last up to three times longer.

Advantages

• High energy efficiency – luminous efficacy is about 135 lumens / watt;

• Also, when choosing a chandelier, you need to decide on the type of base;

• You can dispose of it like ordinary household waste;

• Durability (higher than fluorescent ones);

• Small heat radiation – they are not dangerous for the parts of the chandelier, and you cannot get burned about them;

• Difficult to damage;

• Low energy consumption;

• Environmentally friendly – do not contain mercury and other hazardous substances;

• Excellent color rendering;

disadvantages

• High price. But in the end, the purchase is justified, and the consumer gets a profit.

• In this regard, it is best to choose neutral light for a study or a place where a child does homework, and warm white for a bedroom, living room, nursery. Cool white lighting should be used for bathrooms and kitchens for a clean and fresh feeling.

• Neutral light works best for people's performance, while warm white creates a sense of comfort and peace. The harsh cold light (about 6,000 K) increases concentration and then increases fatigue. This kind of lighting is often used in hospitals.

• When buying a lamp, it is important to pay attention to its color temperature. It is measured in Kelvin. Depending on the number of Kelvin, we perceive light as 'warm white' (2700-3500 K), 'cold white' (5000-7000) or 'neutral' (3500-5000). This indicator should be indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging or instructions for the lamp.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.