Types of Chandeliers

Antler chandelier fixtures feature real or resin antlers from deer and other animals. They’re right at home in rustic settings, such as cabins, but you’ll also find versions fit for contemporary and modern homes.

True to their name, bowl chandeliers feature at least one bowl-shaped shade that cradles the lighting elements of the fixture. Smaller bowls can also surround individual bulbs, and in some designs, the container is inverted.

Thanks to their open design, cage chandeliers can add interest without feeling bulky. The wire “cage” that surrounds the lighting can be angular and geometric, curved and elegant, or anything in between. Some are even shaped like bird cages

Chandeliers with candle-and-flame-shaped bulbs harken back to the original design of these lighting elements. Chandelier means “candle holder,” and the first ones were bare-bones designs that simply held candles. Today’s candle chandeliers often fit in with traditional décor, but you’ll also find candles in more modern designs.

Crystal chandeliers date back to the 1600s, and the image of an ornate light fixture dripping in crystal or cut glass has become synonymous with “chandelier.” Through the years, this classic look has been updated and reimagined many times over, and now you’ll find crystal chandeliers in a variety of styles and colors – often with other materials mixed in.

Drum chandeliers consist of cylindrical shades that surround all lighting elements or individual bulbs. The shades can be made of fabric, metal, or other materials.

This classic French style is all opulence and glamour. Strings of crystals are draped around the light for a glittery, glitzy look perfect for elegant rooms.

The base of a flush mount chandelier sits directly against the ceiling. The fixtures themselves take up some vertical space, but they don’t dangle in the same way as other chandeliers. They’re perfect for shorter ceilings or areas where you’re worried about bumped heads, such as a hallway or closet.

Does your décor lean toward farmhouse fresh? A hanging lantern fixture will fit right in. Some lantern shapes have glass panes while others are open. Either way, these lights are usually on the simpler side and will make a statement without overpowering other décor.

Use these rectangular or oblong fixtures the same way you might use a row of pendant lights. Linear chandeliers are perfect above a long table or a bar, for example. When the shape of the chandelier mirrors the shape of the table, it gives your space symmetry.

Chandeliers aren’t always grand scale. As the name implies, mini chandeliers are smaller and made for tighter spaces, such as a breakfast nook or a nursery. You could even group them – putting one above each sink in a double vanity, for example.

With orb chandeliers, also called globe chandeliers, a group of open circles make up a sphere shape. This design lends itself to a variety of styles from industrial to modern.

The spacey sputnik chandelier gets its name from the first satellite to orbit the earth. Also referred to as a starburst chandelier, this unique mid-century style features a burst of spikes with bulbs on the ends. It’s a little bit funky and a lot of fun.

Teardrop chandeliers, or sometimes called raindrop,  are wider at the top and narrow at the bottom. The look is often achieved via multiple tiers of crystals. This luxe design has a formal feel.

Popularized in the Art Nouveau movement, Tiffany is a style of glass created by a designer named Louis Comfort Tiffany. Tiffany glass was originally produced by Tiffany Studios in New York in the early 1900s, and you can still find the stained-glass style reproduced in a variety of décor today. Often used in traditional homes, this look has staying power.