People have different preferences about how they want to light the interior of their home. Some people prefer low levels of light for closeness and intimacy and lower energy costs. Various kinds of lamps provide this type of light, such as table lamps, floor lamps, or subtle track-lighting. Other people prefer a well-lighted room that appears to be lit by the sun with daylight. These people may enjoy reading or working on hobbies in the evening or may merely prefer a bright room. An excellent type of lighting for this preference is the chandelier. A chandelier is a lighting fixture that hangs from the ceiling and has either a few or many small light bulbs. Chandeliers were developed during the days before electric lighting. Since candles and oil lamps give a very faint light, rooms tended to be dark in the evening. But if a large number of candles were arranged on a candelabrum and hung from the ceiling, a greater amount of light became available to illuminate the space. In those days, the chandelier was hung from a rope or a chain so that it could be lowered for lighting. If the look of the room is in a traditional style, a traditional chandelier is the best choice. On the other hand, in a modern room, a modern chandelier is the obvious choice.

An obvious place for a chandelier is over the dining room table. This is a pragmatic lighting solution because it emits a good amount of light for the diners without taking up precious table space with a light source. A dimmer switch is often installed in the dining room so that the level of light can be varied according to the mood of the meal. This type of chandelier is usually of a smaller shape. A preferred style in a traditionally decorated home is the Tiffany-style lamp with leaded or stained glass. Another popular style of dining room chandelier harkens back to the roots of the chandelier, with a resemblance to a grouping of candles. The small light bulbs that closely resemble like a candle flame are easy to find in the electrical department of department stores, drugstores, and supermarkets.

Another popular placement for a chandelier is in the entry hallway or foyer. The main consideration is that the size of the chandelier must match the size of the foyer. In a large home with a dramatic foyer, the ceiling may go up to the second story. In this area, a large, dramatic chandelier can shine down with lots of twinkly light bulbs. There are two drawbacks to this kind of lighting, and both involve a long step ladder. First, to keep the twinkle shiny, you need to clean the chandelier on a regular basis. Dust and cobwebs dull the glitter and must be cleaned off. Second, occasionally, a light bulb will burn out and need to be replaced. This latter bit of maintenance can be eliminated as LED lights become more commonly available and less costly. And this type of light is the perfect application for LED light bulbs.

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