Crystal Chandeliers

Add your room's length and width in feet - that number in inches is a good chandelier diameter. Over a dining table, aim for one-half to two-thirds of the table's width so the fixture feels balanced.

Keep 30-36 inches between the tabletop and the bottom of the chandelier with an 8-foot ceiling, and add about 3 inches for each additional foot of ceiling height. In open foyers, keep at least 7 feet of clearance from the floor.

Switch the light off and let the bulbs cool, then wipe each crystal with a microfiber cloth lightly dampened with a 1:4 mix of isopropyl alcohol and water. Avoid spraying the fixture directly so liquid never reaches the wiring.

Yes - work crystal by crystal from a stable ladder using the glove method: one cotton glove dampened with cleaner, one dry for polishing. Lay a blanket below to protect the floor and catch any loose crystals.

No - they have shifted rather than disappeared. Clean-lined modern and geometric crystal designs are replacing ornate traditional tiers, and designers now hang them in bedrooms, closets, and bathrooms, not just formal dining rooms.

Usually yes. Measure the drop length and pin size, and match the shape (octagon, teardrop, or prism). Keep a few spares from the original packaging when you install a new fixture.