Vaulted ceilings are known for creating a feeling of openness and spaciousness in a room. The steep sloping sides draw the eyes upwards, creating drama and amplifying the sense of airy height. While stunning on their own, vaulted ceilings become even more spectacular when paired with the right lighting fixture. An eye-catching chandelier can turn a vaulted ceiling into a true work of art.
The soaring proportions of vaulted ceilings were made for chandeliers. These glamorous fixtures thrive when suspended from towering heights, where they can command attention. The increased ceiling space also allows for oversized statement chandeliers that might overwhelm a traditional room. From sparkling crystal to modern metallic, the right chandelier choice can infuse a vaulted space with beauty and elegance.
Different Chandelier Styles for Vaulted Ceilings
Crystal Chandeliers
Nothing says opulence like a crystal chandelier. These glitzy fixtures feature cascading strands of crystal prisms that capture and reflect light in shimmering rainbows. Crystal chandeliers evoke images of grand ballrooms and stately manors, lending an air of elegance and sophistication.
Despite their formal associations, crystal chandeliers can work in vaulted spaces both casual and formal. For dining rooms or foyers, they bring glittering allure. In great rooms and living spaces, they add a note of timeless grandeur. When suspended from an angled ceiling, crystals take on even more dimension as they refract light at multiple angles.
Crystal chandeliers come in a spectrum of sizes, allowing you to select a design suited to your ceiling height. More modest options work in standard height vaulted rooms, while grandoyer-sized fixtures can make a statement in two-story and cathedral ceiling spaces. For the utmost sparkle, look for chandeliers with a high percentage of crystal coverage.
Rustic Chandeliers
The natural materials of rustic chandeliers beautifully complement vaulted ceilings with exposed wood beams or rafters. Wrought iron, antlers, raw-edge wood, and fabric shades give these fixtures an organic and earthy feel that pairs well with the texture of natural ceiling materials.
Oversized rustic chandeliers make a bold impression, drawing the eye with their almost confrontational presence. The expansive ceilings of vaulted spaces provide enough breathing room for these substantial fixtures. For rooms with a more casual vibe, iron and antler chandeliers strike a balance of lodge-like coziness with a touch of refinement.
Forged iron chandeliers with curved arms echo the angles of an A-frame ceiling. Raw-edge wood offers visual warmth and complements wood detailing on the ceiling. For a bit of whimsy, try natural branch chandeliers with irregular shapes inspired by nature.
Modern Chandeliers
Clean lines, bold shapes, and metallic materials define modern chandeliers. Their streamlined look makes them ideal choices for contemporary homes or spaces with a sleek, minimalist aesthetic. The bold presence of oversized modern chandeliers is well-suited to tall sloped ceilings.
Look for stylish orb chandeliers, geometric cage designs, or curved arms in finishes like gleaming chrome, matte black, or brushed brass. Many modern chandeliers feature intelligent eco-friendly design, like LED bulbs or energy-efficient materials. Their vibrant presence adds a cosmopolitan flair under vaulted ceilings.
The uncomplicated shapes of modern fixtures contrast beautifully with the angles and contours of an A-frame ceiling. Metallic finishes like brass or copper introduce a touch of warmth and create a subtle sheen below wood vaulted ceilings.
Drum Chandeliers
Defined by their cylindrical drum-shaped shades, these chandeliers offer a simple, substantial presence that allows them to hold their own in soaring vaulted spaces. Their elegantly straightforward silhouette complements without competing with dramatic ceiling lines.
Oversized drum chandeliers make a bold statement that fills the vertical volume in a room with a vaulted ceiling. More diminutive options provide soft, ambient lighting. Because of their no-fuss design, drum chandeliers are often budget-friendly options compared to crystal and custom fixtures.
Drum chandeliers work well with both modern and traditional decor. They lend a subtle touch of contemporary style while still feeling timeless. The cylindrical shade nicely diffuses light, preventing glare even in large open rooms beneath vaulted ceilings.
Consider Ceiling Height and Chandelier Size
One of the most important factors in selecting a chandelier for a vaulted ceiling is considering the proportions. You want a fixture that harmonizes with the height and size of the space, not one that feels undersized and lacking in presence.
As a general rule, the width of your chandelier should be 2.5 inches per foot of ceiling height. So for example, in a room with a 12 foot vaulted ceiling, an approximately 30 inch wide chandelier would be appropriately scaled. This helps the fixture make a statement without feeling lost or dwarfed by all that open space.
The ideal hanging height for a chandelier is 30-36 inches above the table or area needing illumination. This provides optimal light levels for tasks without the glare of an overly low hanging fixture. Consider the overall length when choosing the right chandelier height.
The impact of an oversized drum or crystal chandelier suspended from the apex of a soaring cathedral ceiling is undeniably jaw-dropping. But smaller rooms with 9 foot ceilings will still feel grand with a dramatic chandelier sized in balance with the space.
Hanging and Installing Chandeliers
Installing a chandelier on a vaulted ceiling brings a few extra considerations. Most fixtures are designed to hang from standard flat ceilings. But a few tweaks during installation can allow chandeliers to work beautifully in angled spaces.
Look for chandeliers that come with chain mounts rather than rigid rods. The adjustable length of hanging chains makes it easier to get the ideal positioning in a sloped ceiling. Make sure the ceiling has the proper wiring and electrical box installed for the chandelier’s installation.
It’s best to have a professional electrician install the chandelier to ensure it hangs safely and at an optimal height. They can adjust chain lengths and make sure the canopy covers uneven ceiling gaps. Consider hiring a lighting designer to help select the ideal fixture and placement for your space and decor.
Setting the Mood with Chandelier Lighting
One advantage of chandeliers is their versatility to set different moods in a space. Dimmable chandeliers allow you to control the ambiance for any occasion.
For everyday use, keep the chandelier brightness moderately high to provide welcoming illumination. But for intimate dinner parties or relaxed evenings, dial the dimmer down low to create a soft, inviting glow. Smart chandeliers with color changing LEDs offer even more options to set a vibrant or subdued mood.
Position other light sources, like table and floor lamps, to complement the chandelier. Their combined effects can generate an ambient luminescence that enhances the aura of comfort and spaciousness beneath vaulted ceilings.
Cost Considerations
One downside to large dramatic chandeliers is their hefty price tag. Oversize crystal fixtures or custom designed statement pieces don’t come cheap. But there are ways to get the opulent chandelier look while staying budget-friendly.
Opt for more affordable materials like wrought iron or fabric drum shades over pricier crystals. Seek out value Chandelier brands that offer dramatic designs at accessible price points. IKEA has a range of sizeable modern chandeliers at reasonable costs.
Shop sales, clearance racks, and home consignment stores for discounted deals. Vintage and antique chandeliers add a glamorous feel for a fraction of designer prices. With some savvy shopping strategies, you can find budget options to fit your high ceiling space and style.
Complementing the Space
When selecting a chandelier, consider how it complements the existing architecture, decor elements, and interior design scheme. The finishes, materials, and style should feel cohesive and enhance the overall aesthetic.
Match metal finishes on the chandelier to other fixtures like wall sconces or table lamps for visual unity. Or intentionally contrast finishes, like pairing black metal with brass accents, for an eclectic look.
Formal roomscall for elegant chandeliers, like an ornate crystal fixture in a dining room with traditional decor. Save bold modern chandeliers for great rooms with a more casual and contemporary vibe.
For a harmonious look, choose chandeliers in the same color finish or material. Varying the styles and shapes can add interest while keeping a common unifying finish.
Soaring vaulted ceilings were made for stunning chandeliers. When thoughtfully chosen and positioned, they can infuse rooms with character, create visual intrigue, and provide both ambient and task lighting. Consider the proportions, hanging logistics, and style harmonization when selecting your statement chandelier.
The vaulted ceiling will be transformed with the right fixture choice. Oversized sparkling crystals, glittering modern geometrics, or earthy raw-edge wood all help create a chandelier canopy as striking as the soaring ceiling itself.
