Does your home have tall ceilings? I’ll teach you the designer formula to calculate what size chandelier you need for 12 foot ceilings, vaulted ceilings, two-story rooms, foyers and other rooms with tall ceilings. This roundup includes a selection beautiful and on trend chandeliers for tall ceilings.
When choosing chandeliers for high ceilings, scale really matters. While you don’t have to worry as much about head clearance, it is important to fill some of the vertical space.
Luckily, there are designer formulas you can use to figure out how tall and how big your lighting should be, based on room size and ceiling height.
My chandelier measuring guide covers these formulas in detail and answers all kinds of lighting questions. It includes tips, printable worksheets and formulas you for all your lighting dillemmas.
In this post, we’ll deal specifically with ceilings that are 12 feet or higher. I’ve done the math for you and sourced 50 gorgeous chandeliers that will work for tall ceilings. They’re great for foyers and entryways, two-story spaces and grand rooms with high ceilings.
If you ceilings are a different height, check out one of these posts instead:
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What size chandelier do I need for 12 foot ceilings?
You’ll want to consider both the size of the room and the ceiling height when choosing lighting for your tall ceilings.
Taller ceilings allow you to use bigger fixtures. But just how big?
Follow these rules:
- If you have ceilings that are 12 feet or higher, install a chandelier so it hangs about 8 feet from the ground. (If necessary, you can hang it slightly lower, at 7 feet, 6 inches from the floor.)
- Designers typically recommend allowing 2 ½ inches to 3 inches of chandelier for each foot of ceiling height. This will fill up the vertical space and ensure the chandelier isn’t off-scale for the room.
- For 12 foot ceilings, choose a chandelier that is between 30 inches and 36 inches tall, including the canopy, light and chain. The taller the ceilings, the taller the chandelier can be.
- If you’re hanging a chandelier or pendant in a two-story foyer or a two-story living room, or in a room with vaulted ceilings, don’t hang the light below the second story.
I’ve found dozens of chandeliers that perfect size range for ceilings that are 12 foot or higher. Many of these lights also have extendable chains or poles, which will give you more flexibiilty when hanging them.
Before buying any chandelier from this list, please:
- Measure height of your ceilings. They may be different heights throughout your home.
- Double check the manufacturer’s specification and measurments to make sure a particular chandelier will work for your space.
- Account for features such as coffered or tray ceilings.
- Check the dimensions of your room and use this formula to make sure the scale of the light is right.
Manufacturers typically list the mininum hanging height and maximum hanging height in the product specifications. Some also include illustrations with measurements. I recommend double checking those before buying any light fixture.
Chandeliers for Tall Ceilings
Browse the shoppable lookbook below for a selection of chandeliers for homes with 12-foot ceilings or taller. Clicking on one of the photos will take you to the retailer’s site for more information.
For even more chandeliers for 12 foot ceilings, visit my Amazon shopping list or keep scrolling for a few of my favorites.
More Statement Chandeliers
Safavieh Two-Tier Gold Farmhouse Chandelier
37-Light Gold Bubble Ball Pendant Chandelier
Elegant Beaded Glass & Crystal Chandelier
Crystorama Gold Broche Chandelier with Shade
Safavieh Fauna 8-Light Chandelier
Printable Chandelier Guide & Worksheets
Need more help measuring for lighting in your home? Enter your information below to receive the printable chandelier guide with worksheets.
More Lighting Tips & DIYs
Looking to make over the lighting in your home? You may enjoy these other helpful posts:
- Chandelier Measuring & Hanging Guide
- How to Dye Chandelier Shades
- DIY Geometric Pendant Light Fixture
- How to Paint a Ceiling Medallion
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