Perhaps no lighting fixture is as grand, lovely and stylish as a chandelier. They have come a long way from the great baroque crystal confections of the Victorian era. Although those definitely have their charm too. Chandeliers are now made from all of the materials that modern man has devised, from glass and metal to wood and synthetic materials. Finding the grand illumination centerpiece that matches and complements the style of your main room is easy enough. However, selecting the right size can be a bit more complex issue. The tips that follow will help:

• Make sure that the illumination feature is to scale with the room. Obviously, a small one in a cavernous room with lofted ceilings will take on a "lost" look. The same can be said about a super sized one in a room that is more cosy than capacious — it will be too overwhelming. Choose one that is the appropriate size for your room.

• If you have a room with lots of headroom, you can fill it with more ans sufficient illumination for the space. As a general rule, add the dimensions of your room to arrive at the maximum diameter of chandelier that can be used in the room. For example, if your room is 10' by 16', then add ten and sixteen to arrive at twenty-six. The maximum diameter for your fitting should be 26" and it will look appropriate here.

• If you plan to buy a unit to illuminate above a dining room table, then use the dimensions of the table as a guide to choosing the right size. Typically, designers recommend choosing one that is no more than half of the size of your table's diameter. It should be hung at least two and a half feet from the table top if you have an eight foot ceiling; go up another three inches for each additional foot of ceiling.

• When hanging your amazing new illumination in a very large foyer, you may want to also add some wall sconces. Install these around five feet from the floor and around six feet apart from one another.

• Avoid hanging chandelier lighting in rooms that don't have a the space high enough to accommodate them. One exception to this rule is when hanging the chandelier over top a table. Head bangers that hangs just six feet from the floor may be too low for some guests into your home and tends to take on an out-of-place or awkward look.