Gone are the days when a chandelier was only used to welcome guests into the grand foyer or to illuminate formal meals in the banquet-sized dining room.

While chandeliers were once reserved for the wealthy, nowadays you can find all different types of chandeliers in every room in the home.

With such a variety to choose from, it’s hard to know where to begin. A chandelier is almost always the focal point of a room, so it’s important to consider what kind of statement you want to make.

Is it a formal space? You might want to try a crystal chandelier. If you’re going for a more contemporary look, a wrought iron fixture might be more appropriate.

Your home is a reflection of who you are, so make sure you pick something that you will be happy with in the long-run.

Here are some guidelines to choosing a chandelier that’s right for your space:

• Follow your home’s architectural style
• Choose a chandelier that reflects your taste
• Make sure it is the right size for the room
• Consider how much light you will need for the space

The size is just as important as the color and style. If the fixture is too big, it will be overwhelming for the space, while a chandelier that is too small will make the room look bare and it will not catch your attention.

Once you’ve decided on the perfect chandelier, you should hang it so that:

• It is centered over the table
• The bottom is approximately 30 inches from the top of the table

Also, remember that a chandelier is more of a decoration than an effective light source, so it shouldn’t be the only source of light in the room. Consider layering the light in a space by starting with the chandelier and then adding accent lights.