How to choose a crystal chandelier

Crystal chandelier in the house is a sign of the prestige of the owners. Small glass, shimmering in the light of the lamps, carry with them warmth and comfort. But in order for the chandelier to fit well into the interior of the room, it needs to be properly selected.

Chandelier material

By definition, given in the dictionary, crystal is a transparent stone that is endowed with amazing magical and healing properties. From the point of view of chemistry, crystal is glass, which includes lead oxide and barium oxide. Thanks to lead, the refractive index of glass and the dispersion of light increase, which from the point of view of jewelers means "play of color and light".Also, lead oxide makes the glass plastic, so that the crystal can be processed.

To make the crystal "play," it necessarily undergoes cutting. From it do dishes, decorative products, chandeliers. They are much stronger than ordinary glass, they collide beautifully and play with multicolored faces. In crystal chandeliers the price is different, it all depends on the country of the manufacturer. Czech crystal chandeliers are popular, although if the producers give the Czech glass for real crystal, then they are a little scam because they are two different materials. The main thing when choosing a crystal chandelier is to find a good consultant in the store, he will offer you a catalog and tell you which lighting device corresponds to the quality and your requirements.

Choice of crystal chandelier

Crystal chandeliers in many are associated with chic mansions from Hollywood movies. Until recently, approximately so it was, not everyone could afford to buy a crystal chandelier. And today they are not cheap, but the range is still great, many designs and sizes have appeared, so you can choose a lamp for every taste. Whichever demands you place on the chandelier, its main function remains - the comfortable lighting of the room. Too dim color induces melancholy and weakness, and too bright - fatigue.

Planning lighting

Even during repairs, you need to plan places where the lighting fixtures will be located. Most likely, the lighting will be combined, because there are rooms and places in the apartment where additional lighting is needed, for example in the kitchen, on the desk and at the mirror.

Nuances of illumination:

1. In the corridor you need to hang a chandelier easier, a small lamp from a distance will look very nice, but the big chandeliers look silly.
2. To make additional lighting in the kitchen, it is best to choose a sconce. If you want to hang a chandelier in the kitchen, then it's best to place it above the table, so all sitting will be able to fully admire it. If the kitchen is small, then the chandelier needs to be selected small so that it fits well into the atmosphere. At a low ceiling the ceiling chandelier approaches. No one should touch her head while walking.
3. If you have a separate dining room with a large long table, you can hang two small chandeliers above it. In this case, the lighting will be uniform, and the interior is even more interesting. You can do so: one chandelier placed above the table, and the other above the bar counter.
4. Sconce will look harmoniously in the hallway, where there are mirrors, and in the bedroom above the bed.
5. In order to illuminate the desk, a table lamp is suitable.
6. Some designers advise not to hang a chandelier in the nursery, worrying that the children can break it and get hurt. But it is possible to choose a small strong chandelier, which will withstand the blows of a pillow and toys.

Types of chandeliers

Crystal chandeliers are divided into two main types:

1. Classic crystal chandelier. Usually it is crystal pendant chandeliers. Harmoniously, they look in a room with a high ceiling. If the ceiling is below three meters, you should not buy such a chandelier, because visually it reduces the already not high room.
2. Ceiling crystal chandelier. It is just suitable for small rooms. These chandeliers are small and pinned to the ceiling, in appearance they resemble plafonds and plates. They are located exactly under the ceiling and do not steal space. What are the crystal chandeliers can be seen in the photo.

For good lighting, you need to choose the right number of lamps. The lighting norm in the room is 15 watts per square meter. So, a three-lamp chandelier is suitable for a small room up to 10 meters square. For a large room, the lamp should be chosen with five or six lamps. Chandelier can have not one tier, but several. And for a corridor and a hallway, one bulb is enough.
Chandeliers also differ in size of the cartridge:

1. Large cartridge. The cartridge "minion".

In addition to the size of the cartridges are different and for the material:

1. Carbolite cartridges that have a black color, they burn out faster and break down from the heat.
2. Ceramic cartridges having white color, heat resistance and durability.

Stereotypes about crystal chandeliers

1. Crystal is only transparent and white. Absolutely not true, crystal in nature is found in different colors: red, green, blue. Less often is a mountain crystal with a bluish tinge and colorful. In Southern Yakutia, minerals of green, crimson, orange shades were found. Sometimes white crystals are painted by the masters themselves, if cadmium is added to the starting material, it will become reddish, if copper, then green, if silicon, then pink. French manufacturers are famous for their blue and silver lights. And the most popular is dark crystal, it is suitable for those who love the interior of laconicism. Often such chandeliers can be found in Italian houses, whose owners have always been famous for watching fashion.
2. Chandelier can be hung only in the living room. Today, the store has such a choice of lighting fixtures made of crystal that you can pick up on yourself not only in a small bedroom, but even in the bathroom. At the same time, there are lamps that designers specially designed for small rooms, and they resemble works of art. All the elements for such chandeliers are made by hands.
3. Chandelier should be part of the interior, successfully fitting into it. Sometimes designers go from the opposite and do not select lighting devices for the style of furniture. The main thing is that the owner should like a chandelier. A game on the contrasts sometimes gives an amazing result, for example, if the room is made in the style of minimalism, then the lamp should be chosen refined, it will soften the strict situation. In extreme cases, you do not need to rush, of course, but you can afford some liberties.

Advice on choosing and maintaining

Crystal chandelier pendants will only look harmonious in a room with high ceilings. It should be taken into account that the height of the chandelier is about half a meter, if it is with pendants, then the dimensions will increase. If the ceiling height is from three meters, then from the head to the chandelier there will be centimeters 30-50, if the ceiling is lower, then the passing person will simply cling to the head about the detail. In this case, you need to choose a ceiling chandelier, which is up to 30 cm long.

When choosing a crystal chandelier, it is also important to consider where the light is directed and how the rays of light are scattered. These two factors greatly affect the overall well-being of people who are in the room.

To keep the chandelier long, you need good care for the crystal:

1. You only need to wipe the parts with cotton cloth.
2. Use of glass cleaners is not recommended, as after them there are stains.
3. To give crystal shine, it should be wiped with soapy water with a bite.