If there is anything particularly characteristic of modern design, it has to be open floor plans. They add much-needed space and provide an airy, light feel. Broad expanses, however, pose a bit of a lighting challenge. Certainly not adequate would be a single pendant light, but at the same time, traditional, chunky chandeliers would overwhelm.
Fear not, open-concept dwellers! Here’s your guide to the best modern chandeliers that bathe your entire space with great style and functionality.
Why Modern Chandeliers Shine in Open Floor Plans
Certainly, modern chandeliers come with several key advantages that make them stand out for open floor plans:
- Scale: Modern chandeliers are sleeker and more streamlined in design than traditional styles, making them relatively less intrusive in a large space.
- Light Distribution: Too many modern chandeliers have multiple light sources or open designs that distribute illumination across a much larger area.
- Style Versatility: Modern chandeliers also span an almost unbelievable array of materials, finishes, and even shapes that let you find the perfect fit for your uniquely personal style.
Top Modern Chandelier Picks for Open Spaces
Now let’s take a look at some of the most popular and most effective modern chandelier choices that can be used to light open floor plans:
- Open Cage Chandeliers: These light, airy chandeliers feature a metal structure holding the bulbs. This provides a good distribution of light without inundating a space. They can also add a touch of industrial chic.
- Sphere Chandeliers: When a minimalist feel is desired, sphere chandeliers stylishly hang from the ceiling, featuring lighting spheres. This is a new design that brings elegance with a clean profile.
- Linear Chandeliers: An extended horizontal frame with numerous bulbs, linear chandeliers help spell out the dining area within an open plan space. Such chandeliers are sure to provoke a clear focal point and lend modern elegance.
- Cascading Chandeliers: This kind of dramatic chandelier has crystals, glass rods, or even teardrop bulbs in a string that cascades down. They can be visually striking and add glamour to your space.
- Tiered Chandeliers: To create the effect of a larger fixture, multi-tiered chandeliers have a tiered effect by using either different-length arms or cascading elements. This really can add visual interest to a high-ceilinged open floor plan.
Finding Your Dream Modern Chandelier: Size Really Matters
Size does matter when purchasing your perfect modern chandelier for your open floor plan. Here are the factors to consider:
- Room dimensions: Measure the length and width of your open space. The diameter of the chandelier is about half the width of the room it hangs in.
- Ceiling height: If a ceiling is high, then consider a chandelier with a larger diameter or more than one tier; if the ceiling is low, look for a petite chandelier that hugs the ceiling more closely.
- Dining table size: If your lighting is going to be above the dining table, make sure that the chandelier is big enough to illuminate the surface area without hard shadows falling at eye level.
Pro Tips for Modern Chandelier Placement and Lighting
- Dimmer Switches: Consider installing dimmer switches so you can adjust the ambiance to provide a warm and cozy ambiance.
- Layering is Key: Pair your chandelier with other sources, from sconces to floor lamps or pendant lights, for a well-lit, visually interesting space.
- Color Temperature: Warm white bulbs, about 2,700 Kelvin, can bring a nice, cozy feel. For a slicker, more modern take a brighter aesthetic, and a cool white bulb—about 3,500 Kelvin—you can use.
Conclusion: Illuminating Your Open Floor in Style
Modern chandeliers ring the perfect note into an open floor plan for a great combination of style and functionality. You have only to consider the dimensions of your space, choose appropriately from size to design, and then add more light elements; in that way, you can create warmth and be inviting for modern living, well-lighted by your hand.
