The original chandelier, a light fixture that stands out
Key takeaways:
- An original chandelier is a ceiling light fixture, chandelier, pendant light or decorative ceiling light, whose shape, material or finish is out of the ordinary.
- The choice depends on the room, the ceiling height and the style of the decor: black or gold metal, wood, rattan or glass.
- A chandelier is heavy: its mounting and connection should be entrusted to a qualified electrician, and it is maintained with the power off, using a soft, dry cloth.
An original chandelier is a ceiling light fixture with an unconventional design, bold shapes or unexpected materials, which is as much a decorative piece as a source of light. It does not just light a room: it tells a story. A dandelion shape, a star, a knot, a wave or a cloud turn the ceiling into a space for expression, and it is the light fixture you notice when you walk into the room, often the one people talk about.
Whether a modern pendant light for the living room or a decorative ceiling light for the bedroom, these light fixtures suit every interior decorating style. This Lustria selection brings together chandeliers, pendant lights and ceiling lights with distinctive shapes: dandelions, golden waves, luminous circles, clouds, lotus flowers, zigzags and sculptural compositions. To see all of our models, browse our chandelier collection.
What is an original chandelier?
The original chandelier stands out for its unconventional design, its careful finishes and the variety of its materials, from gold metal to wood, from rattan to glass. Designed to become the focal point of a room, it comes in many styles, from industrial vintage to minimalist contemporary.
A pendant light in a white metal cage, cut like a diamond, brings for example a chic, contemporary note, while a chandelier with crystal drops, in crystal or cut glass depending on the product page, adds a touch of luxury and timeless elegance, like our crystal chandeliers, while also giving off a soft and functional light.
Why choose an original chandelier?
Choosing an original chandelier means making an aesthetic statement. It adds personality to your interior, in an elegant living room, a warm dining room or a contemporary bedroom, and gives it an identity that furniture alone does not provide.
From vintage pendant lights to modern models, the options let you match the lighting to your preferences, with quality materials and varied designs: an original pendant light hangs down into the room and catches the eye, whereas a decorative ceiling light stays close to the ceiling.
Inspirations for the original chandelier
Nature inspires many models: flowers, leaves, dandelions, clouds or branches. Geometry gives stars, cages, zigzags and polyhedra, while the continuous lines of LED make waves, knots and interlaced circles possible. Other models, finally, play on humor or poetry, with figurines, birds or planets.
The most popular styles
Current trends fall into four main families:
- Industrial vintage: chandeliers in black or white metal with geometric shapes, such as a diamond-shaped cage.
- Natural: models in rattan, bamboo or wood, for a zen and soothing atmosphere.
- Contemporary: modern LED chandeliers, with adjustable intensity on some models, and elegant metallic finishes.
- Chic baroque: gold chandeliers or chandeliers with crystal drops, in crystal or cut glass depending on the product page, for a luxurious interior.
These families readily mix: a woven pendant light, like our rattan chandeliers, finds its place in an industrial decor that it softens.
How to choose an original chandelier?
Each room calls for a suitable light fixture. In a living room, a hanging chandelier with LED bulbs provides generous lighting and a welcoming atmosphere, like our living room chandeliers. In a dining room, a modern pendant light placed above the table adds a note of elegance.
In a bedroom, a ceiling light with subdued lighting creates a restful atmosphere. Chandeliers in black metal or wood work very well in the kitchen, while models in glass, rattan or with crystal drops suit reception rooms better.
| Room | Recommended model | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Living room | Large chandelier or sculptural pendant light | In the center, as a focal point |
| Dining room | Modern pendant light | Centered above the table |
| Bedroom | Ceiling light with subdued lighting | Soft shape and warm white |
| Hallway, staircase | Compact pendant light or ceiling light | Clear passage |
Materials, colors and finishes
Original chandeliers exist in varied materials, to suit every style, and the finish plays a key role in the choice. Gold or black metal brings a classic, baroque or industrial touch, like our industrial chandeliers, while white and clear glass create a bright and airy atmosphere. Our gold chandeliers thus warm up a light decor with their reflections.
Raw wood and rattan offer a natural and warm alternative, ideal in a Scandinavian interior, and Nordic designs complement a minimalist decor perfectly, in the manner of our Scandinavian chandeliers. Pendant lights in colored glass add lightness, and on a model in unlacquered brass, the surface develops a patina over time.
Size and height
Adapt the size and height of the chandelier to the space. In a large living room, an imposing model has a strong visual impact, whereas a more compact pendant light is ideal in a hallway or a kitchen.
Above a table, as with our dining room chandeliers, the bottom of the light fixture is usually placed between 75 and 90 centimeters from the tabletop. Some models with an adjustable cable offer extra flexibility, as the length is adjusted at installation.
Where to install an original chandelier
In the center of a living room, an original chandelier becomes a true work of art on the ceiling, and above a dining table, it enlivens meals and conversations. In an entryway, it sets the tone of the house the moment the door opens.
In a bedroom, a soft shape, cloud or flower, combined with a soft-light LED, creates a poetic atmosphere, as on our bedroom chandeliers. In a hallway or a stairwell, an industrial-style pendant light lights the passage with a touch of design, like our staircase chandeliers. For it to keep its full impact, let the chandelier be the only statement piece in the room.
Pairing an original chandelier with your decor
An original chandelier benefits from being surrounded by a calm decor: light walls, furniture with simple lines, a restrained palette. You can echo its color or material in a detail, a frame or a cushion, to tie everything together.
In an interior that is already very busy, prefer a model that is original in its shape but restrained in its color. In a very bare room, on the other hand, a colorful or very graphic chandelier is enough to add depth.
Personalizing your chandelier
A chandelier becomes more personal with a few simple adjustments. You can choose connected LED bulbs, if the base indicated on the product page allows it, to vary the tint and intensity of the light.
A few light pompoms, kept away from the bulbs and the electrical parts, are sometimes enough to match the light fixture to the decor. For the color of the metal, choose the finish from the variants offered rather than repainting the chandelier, and never modify its wiring or its structure.
Making your own chandelier?
Making a chandelier yourself appeals to DIY enthusiasts, but a light fixture connected to the mains cannot be improvised: do not make an electrical light fixture yourself, as its wiring, insulation and mounting follow precise safety rules.
For a light fixture suited to your needs and your space, choose instead a finished model whose shape evokes driftwood, glass bottles or metal tubes.
Installation, safety and maintenance
A chandelier is connected to the electrical grid and is often heavy: entrust its installation to a qualified electrician, who will check that the ceiling and the mounting can support the weight indicated on the product page. Their work always follows the same steps:
- they switch off the power before any work;
- they firmly fix the bracket to the ceiling, following the product instructions;
- they connect the wires following the color code;
- they fit the shades and accessories, as indicated;
- they test the chandelier once it is assembled.
These light fixtures are intended for indoor use. For a damp room, check the IP rating on the product page and the requirements of the NF C 15-100 standard, which defines safety zones in the bathroom and requires an IP44 rating at a minimum. For maintenance, switch off the power, let it cool down and dust with a soft, dry cloth or a feather duster.
The final word
The original chandelier is a centerpiece for lighting the home with style and personality. Available online as well as in stores, it offers an almost infinite variety of materials, shapes and finishes, enough to suit all tastes.
Among the modern, industrial and natural options, you will find the model that suits your space; in a low-ceilinged room, an original ceiling light offers the same character without hanging down into the passage.
Frequently asked questions about original chandeliers
What materials are commonly used for original chandeliers?
Metal, wood, rattan and glass are the most common. Gold or black metal suits an industrial or baroque style, while wood and rattan create a warm atmosphere, perfect in a Scandinavian or minimalist interior.
Clear or colored glass serves modern designs, and bamboo or crystal bring a distinctive note.
How to choose an original chandelier suited to my space?
Start by deciding where it will be installed, because an original chandelier suits almost every room: a focal point in a living room, subdued light in a bedroom, functional lighting from an industrial or minimalist model, in glass or white metal, in a kitchen or a hallway.
Take the ceiling height into account, so as not to obstruct the passage, and size the chandelier to the room.
How to make an original chandelier stand out?
By surrounding it with a calm decor and avoiding other statement pieces in the same room. Light walls, furniture with simple lines and a restrained palette leave all the room for its silhouette.
Echo its color or material in a detail, a frame or a cushion, to tie everything together.
Is an original chandelier suitable for a small room?
Yes, by choosing a model with suitable dimensions, indicated on the product page. A compact ceiling light or a short pendant light brings the same originality as a large chandelier, without cluttering the space.
Favor an airy shape and a light finish, which let the eye pass through.
What light for an original chandelier?
A warm light, from 2700 to 3000 K, enhances the shapes and materials; the color temperature of each model is shown on its product page. Most original chandeliers work with LED bulbs, which are energy-efficient and much more durable than a conventional bulb.
A pendant light can, for example, take a bulb with an E27 base. To vary the intensity, check that the bulb is "dimmable", or choose from our dimmable chandeliers.
How to have an original chandelier installed safely?
By entrusting the installation to a qualified electrician. They switch off the power, firmly fix the bracket to the ceiling, connect the wires following the color code, then adjust the height of the chandelier.
Give them the assembly instructions, which generally come with hanging models, and tell them the weight of the light fixture, which is shown on the product page.
How to maintain a chandelier with complex shapes?
With the power off and the light fixture cold, a feather duster or a soft, dry cloth can reach the nooks and crannies. Metal and wood should be dusted regularly with a dry cloth.
For glass or crystal, a soft cloth and a suitable product prevent marks. Regular maintenance preserves the appearance of the light fixture.
Which decorating styles go best with an original chandelier?
Almost all of them, as long as the material suits the decor. In an industrial interior, choose a model in black or gold metal; Scandinavian and minimalist decors favor natural materials, such as wood and rattan.
Chandeliers with crystal drops or in clear glass suit a baroque or chic style, and the choice of finish matches the chandelier to the atmosphere of the room.
Are original chandeliers more expensive than traditional models?
Not necessarily: the price varies according to the design, the materials and the finishes. A crafted shape, vintage pendant light in black metal or modern chandelier with crystal drops, can cost more than a classic ceiling light, but its effect on the decor often justifies the investment.
The price is shown on each product page, which makes it possible to compare models with equal dimensions and materials.
Where to buy a good-quality original chandelier?
In specialist lighting stores, in decor shops and on online sites such as Lustria, where you can calmly compare shapes and finishes.
Before ordering, read the product page: dimensions, weight, materials, light source and available finishes, often multiple for the same vintage pendant light or the same modern LED ceiling light.