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. It’s not that the crystal chandelier is too ugly or expensive, but that you didn’t choose the right 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.
Good-looking crystal lamps are not only suitable for the most popular light luxury style now, but can also add color to the light and refreshing Nordic style.
If you want your home to look noble and classy, this treasured piece of furniture is definitely worth owning.
Ugly and rustic? Only nobles can have it
A crystal lamp is a chandelier. The earliest chandelier originated in the European Middle Ages. The design at that time was very simple: two wooden beams were used to make a cross shape, with spikes at the ends to fix candles.
Medieval 1460 illustration of a chandelier from King Rene’s Tournament Book
With the development of production technology, more complex gold-plated chandeliers had appeared by the 15th century. The metal could reflect the light of candles and became an important element in churches and the homes of wealthy nobles.
Amsterdam church, antique chandelier with candles
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.
After the 18th century, the glass manufacturing industry developed, and glass gradually replaced natural crystal in crystal lamps. The production cost was greatly reduced, and crystal lamps began to spread into ordinary people’s homes, becoming more popular.
Crystal lighting was only developed in China after 2002. It was first used in formal occasions such as the Great Hall of the People and 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.
They are “ceiling crystal lamps” that have been localized after being imported to China, and some modern crystal lamps with spherical and thick branch elements.
The design level of these new crystal chandelier lamps is mixed, and the proportions of the shapes are much worse than the original classic designs. Materials have been substituted with acrylic or plastic that is cheaper, and the texture of these lamps are very poor.
It’s no wonder that young people think crystal lamps that are randomly piled with elements are earthy, tacky, and expensive. In fact, the problem is not the crystal lamp itself, but the wrong style. The classic crystal lamp design is elegant and grand.
Cleaning the crystal chandelier is no trouble at all!
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. It is not troublesome at all. Just like other furniture at home, it can be cleaned once every six months.
A wool duster is also very 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 has strong dust cleaning ability. 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. It is so convenient to clean the crystal lamp!
Crystal lamps are not for those who only want to keep their home clean.
But as long as you spend a little more effort, an exquisite crystal lamp can help you achieve a life of quality and style, just like ironing your clothes and cleaning your shoes will make you look more energetic.
Choose crystal lamps in this way
I have decided to buy a crystal lamp, but the crystal lamps on the market are so confusing. How can I pick one without going overboard?
Classic styles are timeless and you cannot go wrong when buying them. The most important thing is to look at the thickness, shape and material of the lamp stand.
lamp stand
In Europe, crystal lamps are designed and modified based on originals found in castles and palaces.
Common crystal lamp styles include Louis, Eugene, Maria Theresa, Empire, Waterfall, etc.
Louis style (Louise)
Influenced by the Baroque style of the Louis XIV period, the palace buildings at that time were all extremely magnificent, so the selection of indoor furniture also deliberately emphasized exquisite skills and pursued the luxury of large spaces.
Brass was used extensively in Louis-style lamps, and brass became a sign of status and power in the upper classes.
Louis style has a thick spindle-shaped trunk, and the curve of the brass lamp branch is relatively gentle, extending into the flat space. 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 the Golden Prince.
In addition to the classic glass arm shape, the biggest feature of the Eugene style is the simplicity of the trunk shape, the steep curve of the lamp branch, and the lack of unnecessary decoration on the candlestick part. On the contrary, it is eye-catching and reveals eternal elegance and grace.
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
The Maria Theresa style was the most opulent of the styles, and this chandelier illuminated the coronation of Maria Theresa, Queen of Bohemia, in 1743.
The Maria Theresa-style crystal chandelier is also a typical Rococo style, bright and complicated. 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 is paired with sparkling crystals. Sometimes, the ceiling and wall are connected with arcs or murals that cover the ceiling. The overall decoration 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. The resulting imperial style also affected interior decoration and furniture design, emphasizing clarity, symmetry, moderation and elegance.
Imperial style crystal lamps are more stable and full in style, and the material structure is stronger. They are often arranged in geometric shapes, and the structures are hidden and wrapped in shadows.
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 lamps also directly removed the candlesticks and retained only the main part of the design. These lamps were more modern and simple, making them suitable for decorating modern homes.
Waterfall style
The waterfall-style crystal lamp can be regarded as a modern improvement of the Imperial style. The lower part of Imperial style is retained. The crystal falls naturally. There are many shapes for the base, and you can choose from round or square.
The inverted triangle shape is less oppressive than the previous spherical styles. It is friendly to small apartments and families with low floor heights. It also suits a modern, simple and minimalistic room.
The imperial and waterfall styles are the two most popular among these five styles. They have simple shapes, fewer metal frames, and long streamlined styles that will not look bloated visually and are more versatile.
Louis style, Eugene Style and Maria Theresa Style are all too obvious and give off a strong feeling of age. They are more suitable for palaces, high-end hotels, or homes with heavy colors. Ordinary people just can’t hold them.
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. The decorative elements of the room should also be simple, so that it is not easy to be confused.
Check out the material
The main components of crystal lamps are metal arms and arms made from glass. Do not buy crystal lamps with thick branches. They tend to be rustic if they are thick. 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.
Look at the size
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. The height of the ceiling must be at least 3m.
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. Instead, it lowers our attention and ignores the ceiling, which is very effective in increasing the distance between people and the ceiling.
You don’t need to worry about floor height if the height of the home is greater than 2.8m. The small crystal chandelier is prominent enough without being too flashy. It can be installed in the living room, dining room, entrance hall, or even 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 diameter of the crystal lamp mainly depends on the volume of the crystal lamp. Taking the living room as an example, the imperial style crystal lamp as the main light should not be less than 40cm. It is primarily for decoration. The lower effect is more attractive.
Like the earlier traditional chandeliers, the branches develop horizontally. The diameter of 5060cm works best in large living areas. When installed, it is the focus of the room.
For a crystal chandelier in a restaurant, the diameter should be 2/3 or 3/4 of the tabletop. The width should be reduced if the design is complex. This will make it appear larger than what it really is.
If the tabletop is relatively long, you can consider two or three small crystal chandeliers with a diameter of 1/3 of the table.
Lighting method
The bulbs of Louis style, Eugene and Maria Theresa crystal lamps are shaped like upward candles. E14 LED bulbs are generally used, and the light floats upward;
Imperial style and waterfall style light bulbs are designed horizontally and downwards. Both E14 and E27 light bulbs have large lamp mouths, and most use spherical light bulbs.
Installed directly on the ceiling, eliminating the need for light lines, it not only has a strong decorative effect, but also ensures the brightness of the vertical space below.
In addition to the bedroom, if a crystal lamp is used as the main light in other spaces, other light sources are needed to assist with lighting. The light would be insufficient and the texture of the light too monotonous if it were used elsewhere.
Cost-effective but not cheap!
Crystal chandeliers on the market all start at a thousand yuan. The origin and purity of the crystal determine the price difference. Crystals with better crispness and transparency are of better quality and more expensive.
If you just like the shape of the crystal lamp, you don’t necessarily have to pursue the high-end texture of Swarovski crystal. The production cost of Chinese crystal is low, and we can buy a good-looking crystal lamp at a lower price, which is very cost-effective.
Most of China’s crystal lamps use K9 material, which has higher light transmittance, refractive effect, hardness and texture than resin materials.
This kind of artificial crystal is about 15% lighter than natural crystal, so you don’t have to worry too much about load-bearing when installed on 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.
Imperial style crystal lamps are difficult to find on Taobao, but there are still a few good ones that we can recommend.
There are candlestick styles that complement warm light bulbs. You can choose a corresponding number of arms according to the size of the installation space.
Six heads will fit a 1525m2 space; eight heads will fit a 2535m2 space.
If you like more crystals, you can check out this one. 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.
After all, crystal lamps are European products. They can only look good if they are completely copied from domestic designs. In addition, there are relatively few styles, so it is indeed difficult to buy them in China.
The best way is to look at salted fish and go shopping for original, retro and second-hand crystal lamps from abroad. It will cost a bit more. When purchasing, you should check whether the crystal has cracks, bubbles, water ripples and Impurities.
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.
The reason why classics crystal chandelier are classics is that unlike Internet celebrity models that become obsolete and eliminated after a few years, classic designs will still have vitality in modern times after thousands of years of updating and upgrading of aesthetic trends.
