Tips For Styling Your Space with A Farmhouse Chandelier

If you’re aiming for a cosy and chic look to your space, look no further than the farmhouse style. As one of the most versatile design choices, the farmhouse vintage look is compatible with any decor, whether at home, at a cafe or a restaurant. It’s also one of the best choices for you to have an eclectic decor, or to add in a layer of warmth to your modern or minimalist design schemes. 

Image from: Home Edit

Still, where do you even start with the farmhouse design? Well, we’re here to help out! Trust us when we say that the farmhouse chandelier is a great start for you to pursue this design decor, while giving yourself a great dash of style to light up your space. Lighting fixtures in the farmhouse style usually have a kind of antique look, and are combinations of wood, metal and glass to give you a truly rustic look and feel that makes your space pop. 

Today, we’re looking at some of the best farmhouse chandelier ideas for you to spark up your imagination and spruce up your space. 

Before we start, remember to check out our store for the best lighting needs for your home.  You can also check out our selection of chandeliers to brighten up your home here.

What gives a farmhouse chandelier its look

Before styling with one, it helps to know what makes the look. A farmhouse chandelier mixes natural and aged materials, usually wood and metal, for a warm, lived-in feel. The signatures are wrought or aged iron, distressed bronze and aged-brass finishes, candle-style bulbs, and open forms like the wagon wheel, the cage, and the lantern. The style leans on simple, honest materials rather than shine, which is why a few well-chosen pieces carry a whole room.

Farmhouse styles to match your space

"Farmhouse" is not a single look, and knowing the sub-style makes it easier to match the chandelier to your room.

Modern farmhouse keeps clean lines with matte black or bronze metal and little or no wood, which suits white walls and pared-back decor.

Rustic or country farmhouse leans on reclaimed wood, aged metal, and candle bulbs for a warm, traditional feel.

Industrial farmhouse shows off exposed metal, cage frames, and Edison bulbs in darker finishes, and it works against brick, concrete, or open beams.

Coastal or French country uses lighter finishes, aged brass, and softer curves for an airier take. Pick the one closest to your room, and the rest of the styling falls into place.

Rustic, with a hint of modern

It may not seem like they would work together well, but blending rustic farmhouse elements with a modern design aesthetic gives off a comfortable and lived-in design that is chic and modern. For example, the use of industrial tiles matches well with a contemporary carpet, which is further accentuated by a farmhouse chandelier like the Alva Wide 12-Light Island Bronze Chandelier. This gives off a sense of surprise in terms of the design, and makes your space pop. 

This is because both farmhouse and industrial styles incorporate the use of reclaimed woods, distressed by weather or time, and timeworn metals. The farmhouse design relies on a simplicity of composition so that a few well-chosen pieces do the design storytelling within the space.

Bringing the romance

A rustic wedding decor isn’t complete without a farmhouse chandelier to light up the spark. Bring a burst of romance to your big day with the farmhouse chandelier. Whether it’s the rustic charm of the Alva 18-Light Bronze Island Chandelier or the iron box details of the Franklin 6-light island bronze chandelier, you’ll definitely be adding in an unexpected touch to your wedding. Trust us when we say that a farmhouse chandelier is great for giving you a whole new meaning to the term "setting the mood." Plus, the rustic look of a farmhouse chandelier will be a great contrast in a room with industrial touches and elements.

Best spots for a farmhouse chandelier

KITCHEN

The kitchen is a great place to pair farmhouse details, from a rustic sink, to a wooden block table and lit up by a rustic antique farmhouse chandelier for a flawless and cohesive look. The Franklin 4-light cage island bronze pendant light works well here. Plus, you can also add in more warmth with warm lighting, reflecting well with the wooden cabinets and hardwood floors that goes so well with a farmhouse kitchen. 

LIVING ROOM

A rustic farmhouse chandelier is perfect in any living room. Whether you’re going for an industrial atmosphere, with rough elements like metals showing on the walls and floor, or a more homey feel, with exposed bricks or patina finishes in your home. With the Franklin 6-light island bronze chandelier, you can always soften the modern flair to keep things nice and balanced. 

BEDROOM

Image from: Farmhouse Goals

While this isn’t always the most popular option, you can always have a farmhouse chandelier up in your bedroom. The bed will remain as a focal point, so an iron framed chandelier can give off a distinctly modern look. Reclaimed bleached wood beams give the room a farmhouse look. Add in some simple window coverings and carpets for more warmth, personality, and texture.

DINING ROOM

Image from: 1STPO Lighting

The epitome of rustic farmhouse chandeliers is in the dining room, where a well chosen chandelier can not only set the aesthetic of the room, but also demonstrate how well your lighting is when it comes to being the focal point of your space. Finish it off with some mosaic floor tiles and vintage mirrors for a warmer, more rustic farmhouse feel. 

Get the scale and placement right

Styling is as much about proportion as it is about the piece itself. A chandelier that suits the room reads as intentional; one that's too small looks lost, and one that's too big overwhelms the space.

Over a dining table, a fixture roughly half to two-thirds of the table's width looks balanced. Hang the bottom about 30 to 36 inches above the tabletop so it lights the setting without blocking sightlines across the room, and lift it a little on higher ceilings. 

Centered in a room, a chandelier works as the anchor the rest of the decor gathers around, so give it enough space to be seen. Chandeliers  come with several rods, which lets you set the height that frames the room best.

Finishes and warm light to set the mood

Two styling choices do most of the work: the finish and the light.

Finish

Finish sets the character. Bronze and aged brass read classic and warm, and both gain patina over time, while matte black leans modern and industrial, as on the Nepoli cage. Tie the finish to the metals already in the room, your hardware, taps, or window frames, so the chandelier looks part of the scheme rather than dropped in.

Warm light

warm light is what makes a farmhouse room feel cosy. Choose warm-white bulbs around 2700K to 3000K for that soft, candle-like glow, and put the fixture on a dimmer so you can lower it for evenings and dinners. Cool, bright light works against the look, turning a warm rustic room into something that feels more like an office.

Tips for installing a farmhouse chandelier safely?

A farmhouse chandelier is heavy and hardwired, so treat the install as an electrical job rather than a quick DIY. A few tips to do it safely:

• Cut the power first. Switch off the circuit at the breaker, not just the wall switch, and check the wires are dead before you touch them.
• Make sure the ceiling box can take the weight. A standard outlet box will not hold a heavy chandelier. Any fixture over 50 lbs needs a braced or fan-rated box fitted above the ceiling.
• Assemble it fully before wiring. Build the fixture and fit the bulbs first, and do not connect the power until it is fully together.
• Support the weight while you wire. Never let the chandelier hang from its electrical wires; use a hook or a helper to hold it.
• Match the bulbs to the rated wattage. Staying at or below the fixture's maximum wattage per socket prevents overheating.
• Set the right drop for the ceiling. Use the supplied rods, or a sloped-ceiling adapter, so it hangs level and at a safe height on high or angled ceilings.
• Keep it indoors. These chandeliers are dry-rated, so they belong in dry indoor spots, away from damp or exposed areas.
• Use a licensed electrician. For the hardwiring, and for anything heavy or on a tricky ceiling, a licensed electrician is the safest choice. For home wiring basics, the U.S. 

Conclusion

The days when woods had to match and only one design theme had to be followed are long gone, with today’s design freedom allowing everyone to merge and incorporate different styles together to create a uniquely new style. The farmhouse design is a perfect example of this, being able to mix well with a host of other design styles. 

This is why we believe that the farmhouse chandeliers will be the next big design trend to bring your design further. We hope that our article has helped you make up your mind about putting a new farmhouse chandelier in your next space. 

What did you think about our article? We’d love to hear from you. Share your thoughts in the comment section below! If you haven’t already done so, take a look at our store for all your lighting needs at the most affordable prices. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are some key farmhouse chandelier characteristics?

1. Natural textures

Go for a rustic and livable vibe with rough, reclaimed wood and hammered metals for great natural textures.

2. Vintage touches

Take a look back at the past and incorporate those vintage touches to your design. 

3. Prominently metal

Make the focal points of your design using prominent metals like wrought iron, industrial gears and wire or mesh components. 

4. Understated design

Clean lines and simple design are key components for an understated design.