When you think of chandeliers you may envision the opulence and grandeur of another time. You may think of formal interiors graced with the lovely shimmering light spread over the walls of grand entry halls and dining rooms. Not anymore. Today, the lure of the chandelier is finding its way into every room of the house, including bathrooms and closets.

There is a large variety of styles available to suit your tastes and décor. There are the very traditional chandeliers that just drip with scintillating crystals. If simple elegance is more your style, the traditional take on the design will suit your interiors. For the kitchen, there are wonderful designs that incorporate items such as a fruit or flower design into these crafted chandeliers. They range from the very simple to the very extravagant. Even the most grand of chandeliers can take center stage in the traditional home without appearing too formal.

When it comes to incorporating chandeliers into your home decorating, throw away all notions about their place in the formal dining room. They can add sparkle, glamour or even whimsy to any room in the home, from dining rooms and kitchens, to bedrooms and bathrooms.

This isn’t to say that you should run wild with placing chandeliers all over your home and overwhelm the space. A light touch goes a long way and the careful placement of these gems makes a statement in whatever room they appear. It is also important to remember scale when choosing this type of lighting. You don’t want to hang a tiny fixture in a large room or place an overly extravagant one in a smaller room.

When choosing a chandelier for the major rooms of the home, such as the living room and dining room, consider the overall style, scale and feel of the room. If you want to really make a bold statement, go for a style that offers a contrast. For example, if your room is traditional with elegant window treatments, dark woods and rich fabrics, offset this with a brilliant contemporary chandelier. You will find styles of these that are vastly different from your grandmother’s crystal chandelier!

If you want to add a touch of elegance to a very stark modern interior, choose a chandelier that is transitional in style, incorporating characteristics of both traditional and contemporary. Consider different finishes or those fixtures with cascading crystals in unique shapes.

In the bedroom, add romance with a beautiful candle chandelier. Give your space a bit of ambiance and dim lighting to set the mood for a relaxing and serene space. Take cues from your bedding and coordinate the colors of the chandelier with this, as well as those colors on the window treatments and upholstery.

Mini crystal chandeliers look great over the kitchen island or in a breakfast nook. These miniatures have found their way into the bathroom as well, either over the bathtub or mounted above the sink. Many homes today are outfitted with luxurious walk-in closets that benefit from the soft light provided by a chandelier.

There is nothing as beautiful or as elegant as a chandelier. They add sparkle to any room, no matter the decorating style. So, take a look around your home and see where you might add some sparkle, because chandeliers aren’t just for formal dining rooms anymore.