Most people think of crystal chandeliers when they picture the large, earthy ceiling lamps in their parents’ living rooms.
90% of people cross out crystal chandeliers when choosing lamps for a new home decor.
We must now correct the name of a crystal chandelier. The crystal chandelier may not be too expensive or ugly, but you chose the wrong one!
In Nordic homes, crystal chandeliers are used very often. It is not necessary to pair them with heavy furniture, wallpapers and intricately carved plaster designs.
They create an eye-catching and conflicting effect as long as the tables and chairs are simple and there are large, white walls. Full.
Crystal lamps are generally priced between 8,000 and 10,000 yuan in local stores. Crystal chandeliers, compared to the local per capita income, is relatively affordable. However, they are not luxury items.
Crystal lamps can add color and style to any style, including the Nordic light style.
This piece of furniture will make your home look elegant and noble.
What is ugly and rustic? It’s only for the nobles
A crystal lamp is a chandelier. The first chandeliers were made in Europe during the Middle Ages. At that time, the design was simple: two wooden beams formed a cross with spikes on each end to hold candles.
Medieval illustration of a 1460 chandelier from King Rene’s Tournament Book
By the 15th Century, gold-plated chandeliers were becoming more complex due to the advancement of production techniques. Metal could reflect candlelight and was used in many churches and wealthy noble’s homes.
Amsterdam church antique chandelier with candle
Chandelier made from the paintings of Jan van Eyck (15th century).
In the 17th century, crystal chandeliers became more and more elaborate. They were first seen in castles and palatial buildings.
Crystal reflects lightbetter compared to metal. This makes spaces look brighter and luxurious.
The glass industry developed in the 18th century and gradually glass replaced natural crystal for crystal lamps. Crystal lamps became more popular as the production costs were reduced.
Crystal lighting was only developed in China after 2002. Crystal lighting was used for the first time in official occasions, such as the Great Hall of the People or Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Crystal lamps were used in homes and villas after the reform and opening.
Crystal lamps were popularized in 2006 for decorating and creating an atmosphere.
The European courts that have praised the crystal lamps above are not the only ones who think they’re beautiful.
These are ceiling crystal lamps that were imported into China and localized, as well as some modern crystal lights with thick branches and spherical elements.
These new chandeliers have a mixed design, and their proportions are far worse than original classic designs. Materials have been substituted with acrylic or plastic that is cheaper, and the texture of these lamps are very poor.
No wonder young people find crystal lamps with random elements piled on top of them tacky and expensive. The problem isn’t the crystal lamp, but rather the style. The classic design of the crystal lamp is elegant and grand.
It is easy to clean the crystal chandelier!
Crystal lamps are not only beautiful, but they can also be difficult to clean.
In fact, you can clean crystal lamps that are suitable for the majority of families with a duster every day. This isn’t a problem at all. It can be cleaned every six months, just like any other home furniture.
Wool dusters are also useful. Wool can be used to clean tiny spaces that are difficult to reach with other methods. They can be reached by using thin wool.
It is a powerful dust cleaner. It is easy to dust off after it has absorbed the dust. Just turn it over and shake. You can clean it directly without washing. The crystal lamp can be cleaned so easily!
Crystal lamps are not for those who only want to keep their home clean.
If you are willing to put in a little extra effort, a beautiful crystal lamp will help you live a life full of style and quality, just as ironing your clothing and cleaning your shoes can make you appear more energetic.
Choose crystal lamps in this way
The crystal lamps available on the market make me so confused. How can I pick one without going overboard?
Classic styles are timeless and you cannot go wrong when buying them. It is important to consider the material, thickness and shape of the lamp.
Lamp stand
In Europe, crystal lamps are designed and modified based on originals found in castles and palaces.
Crystal lamp styles include Louise, Eugene Maria Theresa Empire, Waterfall etc.
Louis style (Louise)
The palaces of that period were influenced by the Baroque-style of Louis XIV. Therefore, the interior furniture was also chosen to emphasize the exquisite craftsmanship and the luxury of spacious rooms.
Brass was used extensively in Louis-style lamps, and brass became a sign of status and power in the upper classes.
The Louis style lamp has a spindle-shaped thick trunk. The brass lamp branch curve is fairly gentle and extends into the flat area. Even today, the curved outline and textured shine are fascinating.
Eugene style (Eugene)
Metals became scarce after the European Wars of the 17th century. Glass became a replacement for metals due to its ability reflect light.
Josef Palme finished the Eugene-style Chandelier in 1724, the first complete glass chandelier ever made in Bohemia. It lit up the Austrian Capital. The castle of Golden Prince.
The Eugene style, in addition to its classic glass arm, is characterized by the simplicity of its trunk, the steep curvature of the lamp branch and the absence of any unnecessary decorations on the candlestick. It is eye-catching, and it reveals elegance and grace that will never fade.
The trunk is transparent, giving the chandelier an overall feeling of lightness. Later designs retained Eugene’s simple, smooth style but the material changed from glass into metal.
Maria Theresa Style
This chandelier was used to illuminate the coronation ceremony of Maria Theresa in 1743.
Maria Theresa’s style crystal chandelier, which is bright and complex, is also typical Rococo. Rococo is more feminine than Baroque, which reflects the world of the men.
Main trunks are shaped in arcs or S-shaped forms, full of feminine spirit. Metal and sparkling crystals are paired together. Sometimes, the ceiling and wall are connected with arcs or murals that cover the ceiling. The overall decor is romantic, luxurious and leisure.
Empire style
The Maria Theresa style, with its pretentious curvatures and beautiful decorations, was abandoned at the end of 18th century in favor of simpler forms.
Napoleon, up until the beginning of the 19th century followed the example set by the ancient Roman Empire in unifying Europe. Interior decoration and furniture designs were also influenced by the imperial style, which emphasized clarity, symmetry and elegance.
Imperial style crystal lamps have a more robust material structure and are more stable. The structures are usually hidden in the shadows and are arranged in geometrical shapes.
The upper part of the ring is conical and the lower part has a bowl shape arc that looks like a big water drop.
Electric and natural gas lamps were introduced in the late 19th century. Human lighting sources in the form of candles replaced real ones, reducing the risk of fires and preventing wax tears.
Imperial-style crystal lamp designs also remove the candlesticks, leaving only the main design. These lamps were more modern and simple, making them suitable for decorating modern homes.
Waterfall style
It is possible to consider the waterfall-styled crystal lamp as an improvement on the Imperial style. The lower part of Imperial style is retained. The crystal falls naturally. You can choose between round or square bases.
The inverted triangular shape is more comfortable than previous spherical designs. This is a good choice for small apartments or families with low ceiling heights. It also suits a modern, simple and minimalistic room.
The imperial and waterfall styles are the two most popular among these five styles. These styles are characterized by simple shapes, less metal frames and long, streamlined designs that do not appear bloated and are more versatile.
Louis style, Eugene Style and Maria Theresa Style are all too obvious and give off a strong feeling of age. These are better suited for palaces, luxury hotels or homes that have a lot of color. They are too heavy for most people to hold.
The simple Eugene style is a good choice if you like the traditional look. Try to select a style that has fewer layers and branches, as shown in the image below. It is important that the decorative elements in the room are simple so as to not be easily confused.
Check out the material
The main components of crystal lamps are metal arms and arms made from glass. Avoid buying crystal lamps that have thick branches. If they are thick, they tend to look rustic. Avoid carvings that are too intricate. The most versatile are golden metal arms with thin branches.
The golden metal arm appears more delicate than the glass.
Size matters
Most residential buildings are 2.52.8m high. This height makes people think that crystal lamps will not be suitable. They can appear crowded, high and depressing.
Crystal lamps are not excluded. Crystal lamps in the imperial style or waterfall style are good choices. Crystal chandeliers in other styles are usually suspended from the ceiling. Ceiling height must be 3m or more.
The door frame in the image below shows that the height of the floor is approximately 2.5m.
The transparent crystal lamp frame above the dining room table doesn’t have an oppressive feeling. It lowers our gaze and makes us ignore the ceiling. This is very effective at increasing the distance between the people and the ceiling.
You don’t need to worry about floor height if the height of the home is greater than 2.8m. It is not too flashy, but it’s still prominent. The crystal chandelier can be placed in the dining room, living room, hallway, or bathroom.
The height of the lamp is the main factor that determines the size. It will not reach the head if it is installed in the living area as the main lamp. The bottom should be at least 22.1m above the ground.
The bottom of the crystal chandelier, when hanging directly above a dining table and not above a restaurant, should be 75-90 cm away from the top surface.
The volume of the lamp is the main factor that determines the diameter. The main crystal lamp in the living room should be no smaller than 40cm. It is primarily for decoration. The lower effect is more attractive.
The branches are horizontally arranged, just like the traditional chandeliers. The diameter of 5060cm works best in large living areas. It is the focal point of the room when installed.
The diameter of a crystal chandelier for a restaurant should be at least 2/3 or 3/4 the size of the tabletop. The width should be reduced if the design is complex. This will make it appear larger than what it really is.
You can use two or three crystal chandeliers that are 1/3 the size of the table if the tabletop is long.
Lighting method
The bulbs of Louis style, Eugene and Maria Theresa crystal lamps are shaped like upward candles. The light is emitted by E14 LEDs and is aimed upward.
Imperial and waterfall light bulbs are designed with downward and horizontal orientation. E14 and E27 bulbs are large and have spherical bulbs.
It is installed directly on the ceiling and does not require light lines. This has a decorative effect but also brightens the space below.
If a crystal light is used in the bedroom and other rooms, you will need to use other sources of light to help with the lighting. The light would be insufficient and the texture of the light too monotonous if it were used elsewhere.
Cost-effective but not cheap!
All crystal chandeliers available on the market start at 1,000 yuan. Origin and purity of crystal determine price differences. Crystals that are more transparent and crisper have a higher price and better quality.
You don’t have to go for Swarovski crystal if you like the shape. Chinese crystal has a low production cost, so we can get a beautiful crystal lamp for a much lower price.
The majority of crystal lamps in China are made from K9, which is a material with higher light transmission, refraction effect, and hardness than resin.
Artificial crystals are about 15% lighter than real crystals, so they won’t be as heavy when installed in the ceiling.
The majority of China’s crystal lamps are produced in Zhongshan. The majority of crystal lamps on this list are also made in these locations.
After searching in China for crystal lamps, J@s Lighting has the most products. These are mainly chandeliers that are exquisite, transparent, and can be used on balconies or restaurants. There are three sizes of each model: large, medium, and small.
For small apartments, smaller-sized chandeliers or wall lamps in the waterfall style are more suitable. It is a classic combination to combine crystal with brass. It is romantic when installed next to the bedside of the bedroom.
Taobao is not a good place to buy Imperial style crystal lamps, but we do have a few that are worth recommending.
Candlesticks are available in styles to complement warm light bulbs. The number of arms can be chosen according to the size and shape of the installation area.
Six heads will fit a 1525m2 space; eight heads will fit a 2535m2 space.
This one is also a good choice if you want more crystals. The elegant and retro hanging shape expands the space without making it look bulky or depressing. It looks romantic and grand when paired with American and Nordic styles.
The brass lamp rings are a classic and romantic shape that is sure to catch the eye. This is a great choice for those who like a romantic, light style.
The store has a 10 year experience in manufacturing copper lamps. You can visit the store in person and consult with customer service about designing crystal lamps for your entire home.
Crystal lamps are European made. They can only look good if they are completely copied from domestic designs. There are also relatively few styles in China, making it difficult to purchase them.
It is best to buy original crystal lamps, vintage and retro from overseas. It will cost a bit more. Check the crystal for cracks, bubbles or water ripples.
Some tips summarized:
The crystal chandelier can be installed directly on a cement floor.
It is safer to install crystal and lamp panels in the suspended area by drilling them through the floor and installing them there.
Classic crystal chandeliers are considered classics because, unlike Internet celebrity designs that have become outdated and discarded after a few short years, they will remain relevant in the modern age after thousands of updates and upgrades of aesthetic trends.
