Chandelier Installation: How to Install a Crystal Chandelier

Before you start

• Know the weight. Every chandelier is weighed before shipping, and the weight is shown on your quote and packing list.
• Check the ceiling box. The ceiling box and bracket must be rated for that weight. A heavy chandelier may need a heavy-duty box or extra support fixed to a ceiling joist.
• Hire a licensed electrician for the wiring, especially for a large, high or staircase chandelier.
• Cut the power at the breaker, not just at the wall switch.

What comes in the box

• The chandelier frame, in one piece — no assembly needed.
• The crystals, packed separately.
• A full set of mounting hardware.
• A 1.5 m (59 in) chain, which you can shorten on site.

Bulbs are not included. Standard models use E14 sockets for 220–240V; the US version uses E12 sockets for 120V. Each socket takes a bulb of up to 85W. Installation instructions are not in the box, but they are available on request with your order.

Step-by-step installation

1. Turn off the circuit at the breaker and check that the power is off.
2. Remove the old fixture and check that the ceiling box and bracket can carry the new weight.
3. Fix the mounting bracket from the hardware set to the ceiling box.
4. Set the chain to the height you want (see below) and hang the frame.
5. Connect the wiring following your local electrical code.
6. Secure the frame and fit the canopy against the ceiling.
7. Hang the crystals, working evenly around the chandelier so it stays balanced.
8. Fit the bulbs, restore the power and test.

How high to hang it

• Over a dining table: with an 8 ft ceiling, hang the bottom of the chandelier 30–36 in (76–91 cm) above the tabletop. For every extra foot of ceiling height, raise it by about 3 in. See our dining room chandeliers.
• In a foyer, hallway or walkway: keep at least 7 ft between the floor and the bottom of the chandelier. See our foyer chandeliers.
• Over a staircase: center it in the stairwell opening and keep at least 7 ft between the bottom of the chandelier and the highest step underneath. See our staircase chandeliers.

Every chandelier comes with a 1.5 m (59 in) chain. Longer chains can be made to any length you need, as a custom option that costs a little more.

Large, staircase and high-ceiling chandeliers

Fitting a chandelier high above a staircase or in a double-height room is a bigger job:

• Check the fixing point first. Ask your electrician or builder to confirm that the ceiling can carry the chandelier before you order.
• Plan access. Your electrician will usually need scaffolding or a lift rather than a ladder.
• Ask for an installation plan. Our designers can prepare installation instructions and an installation plan for your space, as a paid service.
• Get a shop drawing. We can draw a CAD shop drawing that marks the hanging points. A $50 deposit for the CAD drawing applies, the final fee depends on how complex the design is, and drawings are usually ready in 2–5 days. See custom crystal chandeliers.
• Sloped ceilings: we do not supply a sloped-ceiling adapter; your electrician fits a suitable mounting. See our high-ceiling chandeliers.

What does chandelier installation cost?

It depends on the weight of the chandelier, the ceiling height and the wiring. Replacing an existing light at normal height is usually a simple job. A high-ceiling or staircase installation, or one that needs a new circuit, costs more because it takes extra equipment and labor. Ask your electrician for a quote first, and include any upgrade to the ceiling box.