1. The first and most important thing to consider is the size of the fixture. It is essential that the size of the light works well in the size of the room.
   
2. If you have a large room and a chandelier or fixture that is too small for it, it can be swallowed by the room and become almost unnoticeable and ineffective, however, you can also have a chandelier that is too big for a room which means it would overpower a room and would be too much – making it basically the only thing you can see in the room!

   We have a guide on our website which is dedicated to helping you find the correct size chandelier for you room. Please follow the link by clicking here.

3. When choosing a chandelier or lighting fixture, it is important to consider that a lot of fixtures can be altered to suit interior design. The fixtures at Classical Chandeliers can be practically redesigned to suit each individual’s purpose. There are so many varying factors, for example, the finish, size, number of arms, length of chain, candle dish colour and size, crystals etc. The list is practically endless. This is especially helpful if maybe you have seen a style that you like but there are some aspects that aren’t specifically what you had in mind. We are keen and willing to help you find your perfect fixture!

   

4. Being able to change the different aspects of the chandelier is an important factor to consider, but there are also different types of crystals that are on available. This would be beneficial to those who might want to save money as the price of a fixture can change depending on what crystal is used on the chandelier.
   This by no means means that the crystal is of lesser quality, they are still high quality crystal, just different types. The different crystal types will have a different sparkle – some will be more sparkly than others depending on the crystal type and clarity. There isn’t a huge noticeable difference, but on the highest crystal you can see the colour of the rainbow through the crystal when light is shined on it.
5. There is no limit to what bulb type you can use in a fixture. 9 times out of 10, you will be able to use both halogens and LED light bulbs in a fixture. To ensure whether or not the fixture can be used with halogens or LED’s you’d need to check whether or not they are a mains voltage or not. If the fixture is a mains voltage it is fine to use with both halogens and LED’s, however if it is low voltage you may need to change the driver to an LED driver so that it can be compatible with LED’s.

   

6. Can your fixture be dimmed? Unfortunately not all fixtures can be dimmed but with the assistance of a dimmable driver this should be possible. You’d also need to make sure you have the correct bulbs so that they are able to be dimmed.
7. Fixture placement is so important, especially if you are wanting to hang a fixture in a stairwell or you have high ceilings. In these situations, we always, always recommend a winch installation.

   Winches are becoming increasingly popular because they make fixture maintenance so much easier. Especially in the examples of situations previously given, in stairwells or in high ceilings means the reliance on a ladder is necessary and it can be difficult to reach a fixture if it high and out of the way.

   

   Fixtures hung on a winch can be easily lowered down to put a manageable height where light bulbs can be changed and the fixture itself has been cleaned. For more information on winches, please read our blog about winches which you can find by clicking here, and for all of our winch products please click here.

8. Chandeliers and fixtures are available in different styles and designs, which can be intimidating and daunting for those that have no idea what they are after. There can be different fixtures for different purposes and different placement. For more information on different fixture types, please go to our blog article by clicking here.
9. A lot of the time when buying ceiling lights, that will be what is the main focus. However with many light fixtures, there is also the option of having wall lights and floor lights which match the design so that the whole interior would be consistent. You may be in need of wall lights or a floor light for extra light specifically in one area of a room. So have a look out for the matching items that are available in the same design.

   

10. Installing fixtures can be a big ask; especially if they are large lights and are in a place that isn’t particularly accessible. You may be working with electricians or be working on your own but just make sure you are aware of what it takes to install a fixture and if it is possible.

    At Classical Chandeliers we do offer an installation service where we can come to your home to install the fixture for you, but we are also happy to give advice over the phone or emails. So please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any queries or questions.

11. Finally, there can be many options and choices available to purchase, and as with anything there is fashions. Fashions as to what is popular and on trend for a certain amount of time, we recommend wherever possible to avoid going with the trends. This is because a lot of these trends aren’t long lasting and if you buy a quality fixture they can be expensive, so you don’t want to purchase something that won’t be fashionable or popular for a long time. Aim for longevity when considering which fixture to purchase.

We hope these 10 tips will help you on your way to choosing which fixture you are going to purchase, but if not we are always more than happy to chat to you to further help you wherever we can.

We realise that choosing a chandelier or fixture for your home is rarely an easy task; there are so many different variations and options to choose from – things that you may never have even considered before you began your search for the perfect fixture to complete a room.

The purpose of this article is to help identify some of the variations you can get when looking at purchasing a fixture, what they mean and what they will mean for you. And if this article isn’t enough and doesn’t make it crystal clear for you, we are always more than happy to listen and answer any other questions you may have – either via the phone or email! Please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Before ANYTHING else, you need to know the size of your room/landing/stairwell/wherever you are planning on having a fixture hung. This is so essential in ensuring the chandelier is the right size for the room, too small and it will be swallowed up, too big and it will take over the room! For more information, please click here to see a previous article all about instructions on how to find out and more!

Once you know the size of the fixture you will need, the fun then starts! A lot of fixtures are available in different finishes. The finish is the colour and shine that the fixture can have. Depending on its availability, our chandeliers are available in antique gold, antique nickel, brushed gold, gold and nickel. As well as being able to change the finish of the chandelier, you can also change the finish of the candle tubes to either match or contrast the chandelier finish, however these are only available in antique gold, glass, gold finish or nickel.

To clarify the different colour finishes please see the table below:

Crystal types can be confusing too; many chandeliers come with the added option of choosing which crystals you would like on your chandelier.

This doesn’t mean the shape or size of them will change (although even that can sometimes be altered) but it means that the clarity and quality of the crystal can be. All the chandeliers that Classical Chandeliers sell have a high quality crystal – ranging from 24% Pbo to Swarovski elements, but there are different attributes which make the quality of them differ. In order to establish what these are, we need to go back to distinguishing what crystals actually are.

Crystals are formed when lead is added to glass. The lead in the crystals is what refracts the light to create rainbows. With this in mind, 24% Pbo and 30% Pbo are the percentage of how much lead is in the crystal; the higher the percentage of lead in the crystal, the higher the refraction properties the crystal has.

Swarovski crystals are the other type of crystals that are frequently seen in fixtures. These are the highest quality you can get due to the production and processes that are involved in making them; they are made in Austria and are machine cut. Swarovski spectra is lowest on Swarovski’s scale of crystals but is by no means of bad quality! Swarovski spectra in non-leaded which means it isn’t as brilliant but still looks just as pure. The highest quality is called Swarovski elements or Swarovski strass. These are precision cut and have the highest percent of lead content available on the market at 32% Pbo. Swarovski strass is no longer available on the market, but the term may still be used so don’t get confused between the difference of Swarovski elements or strass – they are the same! However it important to note that while there may not be much difference in the crystals, except the rainbows and the way the light refracts, there will be a noticeable difference in the price.

The main variations to choose are the finish or the crystal type, however you can always change how many arms a fixture has (we offer sizes from 4 arms to 42!), the different types of glass arms, if the fixture can be dimmable or not, how long the drop length is and so many more! Our chandeliers are basically custom-made, so you can make ultimately design the chandelier you dream of yourself! If you’ve seen a picture you like but aren’t sure what the chandelier is made from of the design of it, feel free to send us a picture and we can work with you to give you a fixture that is identical or better! We look forward to hearing from you and helping you complete your space with a beautiful fixture.

It has been a busy week here at Classical Chandeliers as we have been exhibiting at the annual Grand Designs Live at the ExCel exhibition centre in London! For those of you who are unaware, Grand Designs is a 9-day long exhibition where visitors can see all of the latest fashions, trends and get ideas for their own designs. It is a time where inspiration strikes and gives many people ideas that wouldn’t have even been considered previously. The exhibition is a place of endless possibilities and infinite ideas!

Full of innovative products and ideas for the kitchen, garden and even in technology, all your bases are covered at Grand Designs. Over the duration of the exhibition, we met some great people, heard about many exciting plans which we are looking forward to being a part of and had a great 9 days! You are given the opportunity to listen to talks from Kevin McCloud (the presenter of Channel 4’s Grand Designs), hear design ideas and receive great advice from designers and professionals in their fields. If you missed out don’t worry, it is an annual event!

We enjoyed hearing about your current and future plans of what you are going to do in your homes. Just to remind you of one very important piece of advice though; you need to make sure the diameter of the fixture is fitting with the size of your room. If you have a fixture that is too small, it will be swallowed up by the room and won’t be effective at all, on the other hand, if you have a fixture that is too big, the fixture will become too overbearing and will take over the room. For more information, please follow the link to a previous blog article (http://www.classicalchandeliers.co.uk/blog/how-to-choose-the-correct-size-chandelier/) or get in touch so we can help you further.

We had our lamp lady at the stand again this year, and she, again, attracted a lot of attention! Kevin McCloud smiled at seeing her and there were even people who took photos with her! The mosaic design with the lights in her hat that gently reflect off of the mirrors adds extra glimmer and makes her even more fantastic! This year we were actually selling her as we have 2 in stock, so if you were interested and fancied adding glamour to a space in your house, what are you waiting for?!

The Rings of Saturn pendant fixture was a favourite and was our most bought light over the course of the show! The rings are on pivots which means that they can basically be designed by the owner – being made wider or thinner depending on design preference. The pendant can also be hung from a height as it has a 150cm maximum drop. Purchases have been made of more than one so that the light can be made into a feature and hung in a row – for example, above an island. The Rings of Saturn has been described as a modern chandelier. With a price of £97.15 (exc vat) how can you resist?!

All of the chandeliers seen at the show on our stand were available in different sizes and different finishes; we can basically custom make a chandelier for you and work with you to get exactly what you are looking for. If you have seen a chandelier somewhere that you would like, feel free to email us a picture and we can work to get you a similar fixture to the one you have previously seen.

To everyone we spoke to looking for stairway chandeliers or fixtures to be hung from a height, we recommended winches. A winch is such a great idea and we cannot stress the importance of having them. It is good for
ease of maintenance, cleaning and to make the fixture easily accessible should it be needed. For more information on winches, please follow the link to our blog article, (http://www.classicalchandeliers.co.uk/blog/chandelier-winches-2/) and if you would still like more information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

All of the products seen at the show are available to purchase from our website and can be seen again at our showroom. We also have about 40 other fixtures in our showroom for you to view and help you get a better idea of what you might want.

We are always available to answer any questions, help or advice you might need. We look forward to hearing from you.

Winches are becoming more and more popular in ceiling lights and chandeliers, but a lot of the time information regarding winches is limited and potentially more confusing! This article answers some frequently asked questions to help you decide whether or not you need a winch, and to give you more information about winches.

Do I really need a chandelier winch?

To put it simply, the answer to that question is usually always yes! Winches are incredibly useful when it comes to cleaning, changing light bulbs or for the general maintenance of a ceiling light. Without a winch, depending on where the fixture is installed, specialized equipment might be needed in order to get access to it.

Which winch will I need?

There are a variety of different winches available on the market, this is to ensure they are suited for all the different types of chandeliers and light fixtures. To have a winch installed, you need to take into account various factors, for example, how much the fixture weighs, where it is going to hang and how long the drop is.

Where can I install a winch?

Winches can be installed above any fixture but they are typically installed in hallways and stairways. This is usually where access to chandeliers and fixtures are limited because of their height or position over stairs.

Obviously winches are so useful that even if the access isn’t limited, it is still helpful to have them installed for changing light bulbs or cleaning the fixtures. There generally isn’t a place where you can’t have a winch installed.

We sell a variety of winches for such a purpose, to ensure fixtures of all weights, sizes and heights are catered for. All winches come with a remote control unit so you can lower the winch safely and from a distance away to see how far you actually need to bring it down. There are two winches we sell that have the option of a smart lift controller keypad; this is a pad that can be put into a convenient position for you to lower the winch.

Will the winch be visible?

Winches are installed in the floor void between the ceiling and floorboards so won’t be visible. They are small and compact so can fit into small spaces. However, there are positions where the winch is really unable to be installed, in this case, the winch can be mounted directly to the ceiling. Winch covers will prevent the winch from being visible and will make it look more aesthetically pleasing.

Winches are expensive, are they really worth it?

Admittedly, the one off price of a winch can seem really expensive but they pay off themselves before long! Without a winch, in order to access it, the hire of scaffolding might be needed, hiring of extra people to assist is also likely in order to reach the chandelier. There are certain situations where even with the extra help, you can’t reach it properly to get good access. It is a long and expensive process to service a chandelier without a winch. However with a winch, it makes everything much easier, safer and in the long run it is cheaper without giving you limited access.

Winches don’t limit your
fixture, they enhance it! If the light is dimmable, there is no cause for concern because there are winches which will support this and allow the chandelier to be dimmed. They are easy to install and can usually be wired straight to the existing wiring. So what are you waiting for? We can’t sing the praises of winches enough! They are so useful and, when we have a cleaning job, it is always a much pleasanter job if there are winches involved! For the range of winches we have available please go to our website and for more information or to talk to someone about winches more, please get in touch.