The multicolor chandelier, color on the ceiling
Key takeaways:
- A multicolor chandelier is a ceiling light fixture, whether a multi-light chandelier, a pendant light or a decorative ceiling light, whose glass, shade or ornaments combine several colors.
- Choose it according to the room and the decor: colored glass in a stained-glass style for a retro feel, simple round shapes for a modern interior, a printed shade for a child's bedroom.
- Mounting it to the ceiling and wiring it should be entrusted to a qualified electrician, and a warm white LED bulb, from 2700 to 3000 K, brings out the colors of the fixture.
A multicolor chandelier is a decorative ceiling light fixture, whether a multi-light chandelier, a pendant light or a ceiling light, whose glass, shade or ornaments combine several colors. Glass assembled like a stained-glass window, patterned shades or painted birds: it instantly transforms a space, bringing cheerfulness, whimsy and personality to it.
You will find it in a living room as well as in a restaurant, a bar, a café or a hotel, where its colorful reflections create a welcoming atmosphere. This selection brings together chandeliers, multicolor pendant lights and ceiling lights: colored glass inspired by stained glass, multicolor velvet, balls in several shades, compositions of birds, printed shades for children's bedrooms and pendant lights decorated with glass bottles.
Lustria, the online reference for light fixtures, details the dimensions, the cable length, the height and the material (glass, cotton, ceramic, brass, chrome or copper) on each product page. To see all of our models, browse our chandelier collection.
What is a multicolor chandelier?
It is a hanging light fixture or a designer ceiling light with a strong decorative presence. Unlike an all-white or neutral modern ceiling light, it plays with light to create a vivid, warm effect: the colored glass gives off a soft light, sometimes retro or Art Deco, sometimes more contemporary.
Some models evoke stained glass with their mosaics of colors, while others, more minimalist, come down to a glass ball or a round shape, perfect in an industrial decor. This light fixture suits a kitchen, a bedroom, a living room or a commercial space, and comes as a multicolor ceiling light for a low ceiling.
Definition and distinctive features
The multicolor chandelier comes in a light version with glass slats, as well as in a vintage-style industrial pendant light. Depending on the model, the cable is adjustable and the bulb is included or not: the product page specifies this, and lets you compare the finishes of a pendant light and those of a ceiling light.
The dimensions given on the product page help you choose the right size. The most common colors are pink, green, white, black, copper, gold, bronze and chrome, and each model lasts a long time if it is well maintained.
Its advantages in interior decor
A multicolor chandelier adds a strong element to the decor, without changing the furniture or repainting the walls. Its welcoming, artistic light suits a hotel, a restaurant or a shop, and, hung in the center of a room, it immediately becomes a focal point.
For an Art Deco or industrial living room, there are brass, bronze or copper finishes, depending on the product pages. In a bedroom, or anywhere a softer result is wanted, colored glass offers an ideal ambiance at the end of the day.
Multicolor chandelier styles
Some models use the mosaic glass of stained-glass style light fixtures, while others imitate the vintage ceiling light of old cafés. In an industrial decor, a black metal or brass pendant light is a perfect fit, like our industrial chandeliers.
It all depends on the place and the effect you want: a round, light and minimalist ceiling light in a modern setting, or a model creating an intimate atmosphere in a restaurant dining room. Balls in several colors and painted birds bring a Scandinavian or playful spirit, multicolor velvet a chic and unexpected look.
Retro, stained-glass and Art Deco style
Retro models suit an Art Deco atmosphere or a colored glass decor in a stained-glass style. Assembled like a mosaic, the glass gives off a warm light with deep reflections, in pink or green shades ideal for a café or a bar, close to our Art Deco chandeliers.
These light fixtures recall the pendant lights of the early last century, and naturally find their place above a table or a counter, like our vintage chandeliers.
Contemporary, industrial or professional style
The industrial style is appreciated in a kitchen or a commercial space. A more modern living room ceiling light stands out for its round design and its black, white, copper-tone or chrome finish, brightened by a few colored elements.
Some restaurants adopt a vintage-style industrial pendant light, which gives their dining room a loft look. Depending on the model, these light fixtures take a spotlight or a flame-shaped bulb, with a warmer glow.
Bohemian or natural style
Cotton models, pink or white, fit into cozy bedrooms, and some combine colored glass with a natural fiber, in the spirit of our rattan chandeliers.
A fabric or paper shade calls for an LED bulb, which gives off little heat. Printed shades, finally, are designed for children's bedrooms, with their playful patterns of animals, galaxies or world maps.
| Style | Materials and colors | Recommended room |
|---|---|---|
| Retro, stained-glass style, Art Deco | Colored mosaic glass, pink, green or gold tones | Living room, dining room, café |
| Contemporary or industrial | Black, white, copper-tone or chrome metal, round shapes | Kitchen, office, commercial space |
| Bohemian or natural | Cotton, natural fibers, soft colors | Bedroom, cozy room |
| Playful | Printed shade, balls in several shades | Child's bedroom |
How to choose a multicolor chandelier?
The right model is chosen according to the size of the room, the cable length, the ceiling height and the dominant color of the decor. A designer ceiling light suits a professional office, whereas a pendant light is better placed above a round table.
Each product page gathers the technical information and the price: also note the base and the weight of the light fixture, to check that the ceiling can support it.
By material
Colored glass is the most sought after, as our glass chandeliers show, and its stained-glass style version offers a unique look. Metal in brass, copper or bronze tones brings an industrial look; unlacquered brass develops a patina over time.
A ceramic pendant light hangs nicely above a table, and a cotton model suits bedrooms and muted spaces. Each material has its own durability and its particular light rendering.
The ideal size
The dimensions and the cable length are given on the product page. Some models are adjustable and come with instructions, which lets you adapt the light fixture to the ceiling height.
Above a table, the usual guideline is 75 to 90 cm between the bottom of the pendant light and the tabletop, to be adjusted according to the height of the room.
Where to install a multicolor chandelier
In a living room, a ceiling light or a round chandelier works very well, and a colored glass pendant light becomes the centerpiece of the decor, as among our living room chandeliers; the same goes above a dining table. In a kitchen, an industrial-looking pendant light is ideal above a countertop.
In a bedroom, the light becomes softer, with colored glass or a cotton shade. In a child's bedroom, a printed shade or a ceiling light with colored balls creates a joyful world; place it in the center of the room, away from the bed. In an entryway, a multicolor chandelier immediately sets the tone of the home.
Matching a multicolor chandelier with your decor
To let the chandelier express itself, surround it with neutral tones, white, beige or light gray, against which each of its shades stands out clearly.
For a bolder interior, pick up one or two of its colors in a cushion, a rug or a painting, but avoid adding too many strongly colored pieces around it: a multicolor chandelier works best as the only real touch of whimsy in the room.
Installation, safety and maintenance
A chandelier is connected to the electrical network and is often heavy: mounting it to the ceiling and wiring it should be entrusted to a qualified electrician, who checks that the support can bear the weight stated on the product page. Following the instructions, the electrician cuts the power, fixes the mounting plate with the accessories, most often included, connects the wires, then adjusts the height of the cable; the heaviest pendant lights sometimes require a reinforced mounting.
Unless stated otherwise on their product page, these light fixtures are intended for indoor use; for a damp room, check the IP rating on the product page and the NF C 15-100 standard, which requires safety zones and at least IP44 in a bathroom. In a child's bedroom, the light fixture and its cable must stay out of reach, and no pendant light should be placed above a bed.
For maintenance, cut the power, let it cool down and dust with a soft, dry cloth: colored glass is easy to clean, cotton should be dusted regularly, and chrome, copper-tone or bronze finishes need little care. Well maintained, the chandelier stays in place for years and gives off its warm ambiance from morning to night.
Price and buying a multicolor chandelier
Prices vary according to the materials, the design, the size and the complexity of the colored glass, and are shown on each product page. Lustria offers a wide selection online, which brings together vintage-style ceiling lights, pendant lights and multicolor chandeliers.
Each page lets you check the characteristics of the light fixture before ordering, and some models lend themselves, by their size or their number of lights, to equipping a restaurant, a bar or a hotel.
Current trends
Today, interiors look for a bright and warm decor. Vintage-style industrial pendant lights, brass light fixtures and stained-glass style colored glass models are coming back to the forefront.
Lighting professionals choose lights suited to a bar, a hotel or a commercial venue. The modern ceiling light, spherical or round, brings a cleaner style, and the creativity of colored glass gives each room a unique result.
Frequently asked questions about multicolor chandeliers
Answers to the questions that come up most often:
Which colors go with a multicolor chandelier?
Neutral tones, white, beige or light gray, to let it express itself, or one or two of its colors picked up in the decor.
Just avoid piling up other strongly colored objects nearby: that way the chandelier remains the highlight of the room.
Is a multicolor chandelier suitable for a child's bedroom?
Yes, provided it is placed in the center of the room, out of reach and away from the bed. With an LED bulb, a model with a soft light brings fun colors without causing glare.
The printed shades of our chandeliers for children's bedrooms are designed for this use; the cable, too, must remain inaccessible to small children.
Which bulb for a colored glass chandelier?
A warm-toned LED, from 2700 to 3000 K, which brings out the colors of the glass. Most multicolor chandeliers accept LED bulbs, which give off very little heat, use little power, last much longer than a conventional bulb and do not alter the shades.
They come in warm white, neutral white (around 4000 K) or cool white, and must be "dimmable" on a dimmer; the base to use is given on the product page of our LED chandeliers.
How to maintain a colored glass chandelier?
With the power off and the fixture cool, a soft, dry cloth is enough, with no abrasive product, to dust the glass regularly and preserve its shine. Removable parts, such as globes, can be taken off for more precise cleaning.
Regular maintenance keeps the light clear and pleasant. Switch off and let the fixture cool before touching it, even with an LED, which replaces halogen bulbs, withdrawn from sale for the most part since 2018.
How to choose a multicolor chandelier suited to the size of the room and the ceiling height?
According to the size of the space, the ceiling height and the amount of light you want: a compact model in a small living room or a bedroom, a larger pendant light with several lights in a spacious room.
The diameter should stay proportionate to the room, so as not to overwhelm it, and the cable is adjusted so that the chandelier, round or with a colored glass globe, does not hang too low in a passageway.
Is a multicolor chandelier suitable for a living room, a kitchen or a dining room?
Yes, it fits almost any room. In a living room, it becomes the central decorative element; in a kitchen, choose from our kitchen chandeliers a pendant light with a clear light, in a material that is easy to clean such as glass or metal.
In a dining room, a round or blown glass model placed above the table creates a convivial ambiance, like our dining room chandeliers.
What is the difference between a multicolor pendant light, a ceiling light and a floor or table lamp?
The multicolor pendant light hangs from a cable and provides general light with a pronounced decorative effect, whereas the ceiling light is fixed directly to the ceiling and suits rooms with a low ceiling.
The floor or table multicolor lamp, often in ceramic, cotton or glass, adds ambient lighting and plugs into an outlet; these three light fixtures complement each other in the same home.
Which materials to favor: glass, metal, crystal, cotton, rattan or ceramic?
Colored glass, the most popular, because it filters light softly. Metal, brass or copper give an industrial or contemporary style, suited to modern kitchens and dining rooms, and crystal or cut glass, depending on the product page, a sparkling light.
Cotton, rattan and bamboo suit a natural or bohemian decor, and ceramic brings a distinctive look.
Which styles exist: modern, vintage, retro, industrial, Art Deco, bohemian or contemporary?
All of these styles exist. Modern or contemporary stands out for its clean lines and discreet colors, vintage or retro for smoked glass or black metal, industrial for copper, brass or steel and geometric shapes.
Art Deco showcases crystal or cut glass, gold and elegant patterns, while bohemian favors cotton, rattan or bamboo.
Can a multicolor chandelier be installed in a café, a bar, a restaurant or a hotel?
Yes, because it catches the eye and creates a welcoming atmosphere. In a café or a bar, a colored glass pendant light brings a convivial character, and in a restaurant, it makes the dining room warmer.
In a hotel lobby, it offers an elegant first impression and strengthens the identity of the place; in an establishment open to the public, installation is a job for a professional.