Adding a statement chandelier to your dining room or living room can instantly transform it into a luxurious space. Chandeliers come in many styles, from simple, modern designs in black to stunning, grand pieces covered in crystal droplets. These show-stopping lights come in all sorts of colours too, so you're sure to find one you love.
Plus, it doesn't matter whether your space is big, small or with a low or high ceiling because you can find adjustable chandeliers to fit any room. But how do you pick the best one? Check out our handy guide, of course! We've also ranked the most popular chandeliers for sale on Amazon, John Lewis, eBay and Argos to help you find the best quality option.
Quick List - Top Chandeliers for Living Rooms
John Lewis & Partners
Creates Patterns by Refracting and Reflecting Light
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
Table of Contents
Much like with any home interior product, it's easy to pick the one you like the look of. Design is important, but there are a few technical points you should consider as well. Pay special attention to the benefits of different materials and bulb type!
The most common materials you'll come across when browsing chandeliers are glass, metal, plastic and resin. Below, we're going to tell you the benefits of each one so you can find the best light for your space and your budget.
Chandeliers made from glass are a classic choice. Light is reflected and passes through the entire fitting, which creates a beautiful visual effect and casts patterns around the room. This is especially true for glass with a crystal finish because it has added lead, so it refracts more light and gives it a greater shine.
Frosted glass is another popular finish that has the benefit of helping to reduce glare. This type of glass is translucent rather than clear, so it will diffuse light that could cause discomfort or even eye strain. Look out for this style if you're sensitive to light.
Acrylic is an inexpensive alternative to glass that can have a crystal finish. It's lighter, stronger and more translucent than glass. The material is ideal for chandeliers, as it has less chance of breaking if it falls. It also lets more light through which could result in a brighter room.
Many lights have a metal base, typically iron or steel. Metals like these are strong and generally have a higher melting point, which is beneficial for lighting because the heat it generates won't affect the metal.
From an aesthetic perspective, metal chandeliers can be designed in both ultra-modern or traditional styles, with a popular look of late being black powder-coated steel.
Steel is an alloy made from iron that is again a very strong, durable and usually rust-proof material. It's a good choice for a base, as the chandelier will be hardwearing. Look for this material if you don't decorate or move homes often, as it'll last a long time.
There's also plastic or resin to consider. Resin is a versatile material that can be moulded to create unique designs that mimic stone and metal. This makes it a particularly good pick for a chandelier with an interesting or artistic shape.
A metal base is sometimes combined with a plastic shade for decorative purposes and to keep costs down. Plus, being made from plastic means a chandelier with be lightweight and, therefore, it'll be easier to put up and less likely to fall down.
Chandeliers incorporate many types of design styles, from Art Deco to Sputnik. Find out what each of these styles is so you can choose a chandelier that matches your room decor – or adds something completely new to it!
The classic chandelier shape with curved, upward-facing arms can be dated back to the 15th century. Although this design has been given lots of modern updates, it still maintains a classic feel. Some will also still complement a minimalistic decor, as the designs are often sleek.
Other lights have an Art Deco design, which has a retro feel but still looks clean and unfussy. This is particularly prominent with the helix light that falls spiralling. These chandeliers often incorporate geometric shapes and lines, which is the main component of 1920's Art Deco.
Industrial designs, of course, are the most minimalistic with a modern vibe. This style also incorporates many unique shapes – some taking inspiration from Art Deco – which is ideal if you want a simple yet quirky design. These chandeliers will look particularly good in lofts or apartments.
Looking for something that stands out? You could opt for an antler chandelier, which, as the name suggests, has deer antlers winding up from its base that result in a modern yet rustic feel – perfect for a farmhouse living room or a space with a boho feel.
With multiple arms that resemble the Sputnik satellite of their namesake, Sputnik chandeliers are iconic and have a space-age, futuristic look. These are a great choice if you want to perk up a plain living room with something unusual.
If you'd like a classic design that's a little more flashy, opt for a pendant chandelier with a luxurious look. The style originated around the 19th century in France and can be seen in places like the Palace of Versailles. Therefore, it's associated with old-fashioned grandeur, and best for big spaces with a luxurious feel.
Bumping your head on the chandelier when you walk underneath it is a real possibility if you don't pay attention to the drop! Listed in centimetres and spanning a range anywhere from 24 to over 200 cm, this measurement tells you how low the chandelier will hang.
Don't despair if you have a low ceiling, though. Most chandeliers (including the ones in our ranking) have an adjustable length. You'll be able to alter the rope to get the light to hang at a comfortable height.
Just remember to pay attention to the smallest drop listed – if it's available. This information will tell you the minimum length it can hang at based on the size of the chandelier, so you can check if it'll fit your space. On the other hand, if you have high ceilings, you'll want the longest drop possible.
Like most lighting, chandeliers can come with an energy rating, which shows the efficiency of compatible bulbs. This is based on how much energy the product uses, and the higher the rating the product has, the better it is at saving energy. A+++ is the best it can be, while G is the lowest.
Energy-efficient products are better for the environment, as they help to cut our carbon footprint. The less energy we use, the fewer carbon emissions will be pumped into the atmosphere, making the world a better place for the future. Not to mention that it will also save you money!
Sadly, most chandeliers don't come with bulbs, so work out how many bulbs you need and their base type before or while you place your order. E14 and E27 are the most common base types for chandeliers, although some require G9 or E12.
Some chandeliers do come with a reducer ring, which allows them to fit a range of common bulb bases. This will be particularly handy if you've already got a stash of bulbs to use up, or you want to experiment with different bulbs to get the lighting just right.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Waneway Chandelier Light Shade for Ceiling | ![]() | Fits Most Bulbs With a Ring Reducer | |
2 | John Lewis & Partners Victoria Chandelier Ceiling Light | ![]() | Creates Patterns by Refracting and Reflecting Light | |
3 | Safavieh Antler Brown Chandelier | ![]() | Rustic Antlers Made From Hardwearing Iron | |
4 | OYIPRO Sputnik Chandelier | ![]() | Customise the Amount of Lights to Your Space | |
5 | FAISHILAN Fixture Diamond Rope Chandelier | ![]() | A Trendy Option That Won't Rust or Corrode | |
6 | John Lewis & Partners Helix Chandelier Ceiling Light | ![]() | Reduced Glare Will Soothe Light-Sensitive Eyes | |
7 | Argos Home Inspire 5-Light Chandelier | ![]() | Very Easy to Adjust to Different Ceiling Heights | |
8 | John Lewis & Partners Malik Chandelier Ceiling Light | ![]() | Quick Installation as It's Fully Assembled | |
9 | Argos Home Twirl 5-Light Twist Chandelier | ![]() | A Classic Design on a Budget | |
10 | Surpars House Modern Sputnik Chandelier | ![]() | A Pretty Piece That Will Complement Floral Decor |
The Waneway chandelier is a standout piece with many benefits. It comes with a reducer ring, which allows it to fit a wide range of bulbs. You might already have one around the house! It also comes without a cord and base, so the shade can be fitted over your current light without needing an electrician to install it.
Aesthetically, we love the acrylic pendant design with droplets that will reflect light to create beautiful pattern effects on the walls and ceiling. It'll look truly stunning. Plus, it looks much more expensive than it actually is, which is always a win!
Glass with a crystal finish refracts and reflects light much better than other materials. This chandelier will create an elegant effect and make it look like light is dancing across the room. It's a really luxurious-looking product, and you could always spray paint the base if you'd like to change the colour to match your room better.
It fits E27 lightbulbs too, which are easy to find online and off, so it shouldn't be too hard to light this chandelier. You also only need one bulb with this design, so you don't have to spend a lot of money buying different ones. Glamorous and practical!
Lots of chandeliers require complete assembly where you have to put all the parts together yourself. Fortunately, this one comes close to fully assembled, so you won't have to do too much work. It's also made from a mixture of resin and iron, so it'll be a strong and hardwearing product that'll last a long time.
And of course, we can't fail to mention its stunning design. The antler style will really make your lighting stand out, and it would look especially cool in a rustic home. It also has a long drop length, so it's great for rooms with high ceilings.
One particularly appealing feature of this chandelier is that you can select how many lights you'd like it to have – choose from six, eight or twelve bulbs depending on the effect you'd like to create. There's also the option to choose between brass, black and chrome, so you're sure to find a style that matches your decor.
This light has the traditional Sputnik shape, so it's a must-have if you want a contemporary piece to give your room somewhat of a futuristic look. It's also pre-wired, which makes it slightly easier for the electrician to install.
The lamps have been painted so they won't rust or corrode, making it a long-lasting product that will look good in your living room for years to come. It has a truly unique and modern design, with lights in cages that look like diamonds.
The black colour also gives it a unique twist and allows it to match pretty much any colour scheme. This light is sure to make a statement as it's fairly big and will catch the eye of any visitors. It can also support up to 60-watt bulbs if you have a big room and need a lot of light to fill the space.
This chandelier looks sophisticated, with glass tubes falling in a helix design. The soft shapes and gold coloured metal give this light a subtle 1920's feel that still looks modern. The glass is frosted too, so it'll reduce glare from the bulbs – ideal for anyone who's light-sensitive.
Being a large piece, it is quite heavy and again could be slightly more tricky for an electrician to install, but who knows, they might like the challenge! Let's not forget to mention that this light casts an unusual shadow, which looks visually pleasing.
Adjusting the height of your chandelier has never been easier with this design! You can remove any excess links and reattach them if you need to make it longer again. It's also compatible with a dimmer switch if you'd like to link it up to one.
Another affordable choice from Argos, the acrylic used means it lights up a room beautifully and is particularly good for very dark spaces. The chandelier is a bit tricky to set up, so it's best to get a licensed electrician to fix it.
The light is easy to install as it comes fully assembled. It shouldn't take too long to fix, although you might want to hire an electrician if you don't have any experience with electrics. It's made of steel, a strong and hardwearing material, so the light is sure to last many years.
The light appears to be a brass colour in some of the images, but it's actually more of a dark grey, which could be an issue if you're looking for a warmer frame. Despite this, the frame looks stunning with intricate patterns.
Many chandeliers look flashy, but that style doesn't suit everyone's tastes. Here's a very simple design with a standard silver-coloured frame. It's great value for money, as it's fairly inexpensive but still looks elegant and sophisticated!
With the inexpensive price tag comes a slight drop in quality, as the chandelier doesn't always hang straight which could cause annoyance. On the plus side, the bulbs are left fully open so it will give off a lot of light.
This chandelier is undeniably beautiful, and as it looks a bit like a dandelion, it would complement floral decor well. It also comes with a two-year warranty in case you have any issues. The light will be repaired or replaced if you encounter any problems, which is always a bonus.
Owing to the complex design, it can be a bit tricky and time-consuming to set up as you have to install each branch separately. We think it's worth the extra effort for this light with a high energy rating, though, which is sure to save you money in the long run.
There are lots of ways to refresh your living room without having to do a full redesign. You could add some covers to restyle your sofa or jazz up your drawers with some new knobs, for instance. We've got articles with recommendations for both of these, as well as one for log holders to give your room a cosy feel!
We hope reading this article has been an illuminating experience. You should now know the main things to consider when choosing a chandelier for your living room. Remember to check the base to purchase the right bulbs for your light!
Author: Rosa Fairfield
No. 1: Waneway|Chandelier Light Shade for Ceiling
No. 2: John Lewis & Partners|Victoria Chandelier Ceiling Light
No. 3: Safavieh|Antler Brown Chandelier
No. 4: OYIPRO|Sputnik Chandelier
No. 5: FAISHILAN|Fixture Diamond Rope Chandelier
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games