Installing a chandelier is a great option for providing improved illumination as well updating the look or ambiance of any room. Compared to more ambitious renovation options, chandeliers are very reasonably priced and learning how to hang a chandelier is easy enough for any homeowner. Available in enough designs, styles, sizes, looks and price points, it is easy to find a chandelier to provide the right focal point for a specific design idea or theme.

Preparation: Choose a Chandelier

Choosing the right chandelier is not entirely dependent on style though. Choosing the right size and learning how to hang a chandelier correctly are two other important considerations. A chandelier that is too small for the room it is in will not only get swallowed up by the surrounding space, but will also create gloomy, dark corners. A too-large chandelier on the other hand will produce glare that is both unattractive and painful for the eyes and overpower the rest of the room, dwarfing all other design elements.

Ideally, the chandelier should be at least 48 inches from all walls, 12 inches narrower than the table or counter over which it will be hung, and hung at least 30 inches above the table or counter surface.

We recommend Direct Buy Lighting’s chandelier department for your lighting needs.  They carry several thousand pieces and are sure to have the light fixture you are looking for.

Learning how to hang a chandelier to replace an outdated light fixture is not too difficult. Except for dealing with the significantly bigger sizes of chandeliers, the process is very similar to installing any other lighting fixtures. The only other thing to consider is the weight of the chandelier since standard electrical boxes are only rated to handle up to 50 pounds. Since full-size chandeliers typically weigh more than this, additional support will have to be installed.  In order to safely install a chandelier, it’s important to have the right electrical supplies; check out our previous blog post, “Electrical Supplies for Hanging a Chandelier.”

Before going through the steps on how to hang a chandelier, turn off electrical power in the room where the chandelier will be hung. To do this, locate the correct circuit on the main power box and turn it off. Keep in mind that a room’s electrical connections can be on different circuits, so use a voltage tester to test that the power is indeed dead before proceeding.

Step 1: Mark the Place to Hang the Chandelier

Skip this step if the chandelier will be used to replace an existing light fixture on the exact same place. If not, measure the ceiling to locate the center, mark it, and cut out a hole for the electrical wires. If the room is irregularly shaped or the table over which the chandelier will be hung is off center, mark the space corresponding to the center of the table. Another option would be to hang chandelier on a hook and use a chain to thread existing electrical wires closer to the chandelier.

Step 2: Install Ceiling Support

If the chandelier weighs more than 40 pounds, it is best to install a ceiling box to support the chandelier. Otherwise, slip the brace through the ceiling hole, set its feet on the ceiling, and rotate it so that its prongs dig into the joist.

Step 3: Install the Electrical Box

Knock out the plugs from the new electrical box, hold it next to the ceiling wall, feed about six inches of wire from the ceiling through the cable connector, and lock them into place by tightening the connector screws. If the box does not have a cable connector, add one into the knockout hole so that its sharp edges do not slice into the wires. Next, install the electrical box by attaching it to the brace using a U-bolt and a supporting metal flange.

Step 4: Attach the Mounting Bracket

Attach the chandelier mounting bracket to the electrical box in the ceiling through though the holes in the box housing. To know how to hang a chandelier at the correct height, mark its wires while somebody else holds the chandelier about 30 inches from the top of the table. The next step is to open the last loop with pliers, and attach it to the top chandelier loop, making sure to crimp the chain loop so that it is closed. Once this done securely, hold up the chandelier at the correct height, removing excess lengths of chain and wires. Next, thread the chandelier wires through the chain until they are close enough to connect to the wires from the junction box.

Step 5: Connect the Wires

The last step in this how to hang a chandelier guide would be to connect the wires. Start by wrapping the ground wire tightly around the grounding screw and connecting it to the ground wire on the chandelier. Next, strip about half an inch of insulation from the end of the chandelier’s wires. With the wires exposed, connect the chandelier’s white wire to the corresponding white cable wire and the chandelier’s black wire to the corresponding black cable wire. Then, carefully tuck the wires into the electrical box and attach the chandelier’s canopy into the ceiling. Push the retaining collar upwards and tighten it to support the canopy.

As soon as this is done, the chandelier’s shades and lightbulbs can be installed on the chandelier and the installation tested. After successfully completing the steps on how to hang a chandelier, one last task remains – enjoying the elegant and classy effect of the chandelier on the room’s ambiance!