Like painting walls, replacing chandelier shades is an inexpensive, easy way to update a room. The myriad colors, styles, and even textures available allow you to find a match for any paint color or room motif.

Shopping online for your chandelier shades is the most convenient and easiest way to purchase them. This way, you have the widest selection possible, and most, if not all sites will also have complete information regarding size, fitting style for bulb, etc.

Prior to beginning your search, ensure that you know the following:

• How the shade attaches to the chandelier , i.e. most candle chandeliers have clip-on fits, meaning the shade clips directly to the bulb.
• Bulb style – Does your chandelier lighting use a standard medium or candelabra bulb?
• Wattage of bulbs you use – Some chandelier shades can burn easily if the bulbs get too hot or are too close. Be sure to check maximum wattage on your shades and, depending on the wattage of the bulb, you will need to ensure the shades are 1.5″ to 3″ from the bulb’s surface.
• Shade shape and size for candle chandeliers – Most shades are bell shaped or cylindrical. Sizes can range anywhere from 4-1/4″ to 5-1/2″ H and 4-1/2″ to 7″ diameter at the widest part of the base. Some shades will also show the measurement at the top, which is typically 3″ to 3-1/2″. When measuring bell-shaped shades, you will measure slant height, not vertical height. This means that you need to have the measuring tape or ruler touching the edge of the bottom, as well as the edge of the top of the chandelier shade. This will be your slant height.
• Shade shape and size for swag chandeliers – Swag chandelier shades typically run around 17″ in diameter. The standard shape is a drum shape; however, you can find many other variations of the drum shape.
• Shade decoration – For a touch of elegance, you may want to look at shades with beading sewn into the top or hanging from the bottom edge. Fabric shades can have texture, beading, embroidery. Glass shades can have textures, etchings, etc.

Now you are ready to shop for your shade. You may want to have something in mind prior to beginning your search. Or, maybe you just want to get some ideas and see what’s out there.

Happy hunting!

A black wrought iron chandelier can be a beautiful addition to any room in your own house. Most styles are more traditional candle chandeliers; however, you can find many lovely contemporary pieces. Colors range from almost a dark, dark gray to jet black. More traditional styles typically have a rustic look to them, but can often fit right in with a modern room without clashing.

When shopping for a black wrought iron chandelier, remember to take into consideration the weight of the fixture. Wrought iron is much heavier and may very well require installation of a new electrical box in the ceiling, with small support bracket, to handle the added weight.

Wrought iron is easy to care for and involves very light maintenance. Weekly dusting and occasional cleaning with a damp cloth soaked in mild detergent will keep it looking new. Be sure to keep it out of areas where it may be exposed to dampness as iron will begin to rust very quickly.

Quoizel’s La Parra style is a good example of what could be a called a “modern rustic” look. They carry candle chandeliers with a heavy chain link that has a very medieval type of feel to it. The shades are tinted slightly and look like large cylindrical candles. The warm glow of the amber shades softens the heavier look of the chandelier; a wonderful mix of style and color.

Click Here To View More La Parra Chandeliers!

Designers Fountain makes more traditionally styled wrought iron. Their dining room and foyer chandeliers have ornate scrolling; some have glass crystals. The crystals shimmer and sparkle and add a hint of sophistication.

Designers Fountain also makes kitchen chandeliers with bell shaped glass shades. Their simplistic design gives a light touch of class to both small and larger kitchens.

Click Here To View More Designers Fountain Chandeliers!

Franklin Iron Worksoffers a variety of styles in their wrought iron chandeliers. These are lovely pieces that range from heavy scrolling to a mission or metro style look. The opaque glass shades provide a warm and inviting glow to the room of your choice.

Purchasing your chandelier online can often be the easiest, most cost effective way to find exactly what you want. You will find a much larger selection online than in any brick and mortar lighting store or home improvement center. Additionally, returning the item can be just as easy as well. Be sure to check all policies when purchasing online.

If you are having a difficult time making a decision for your purchase, but you know you want something other than the standard metals or metal finishes, you may want to think about a buying a colored chandelier. Colored chandeliers have become very popular in the last few years as a fairly inexpensive way to update a room or add an interesting focal point. The selection of both style and fixture is virtually endless, from contemporary to classic. Many will complement almost any room in your house. Some colored chandeliers are painted, while others have a metal structure. The added components, such as the bottom bowl, finials and arms, can be made from glass, metal, or even plastic. Selections of finish on the painted fixtures also varies, from matte to high gloss.

If you are unsure of purchasing a colored chandelier, shopping for a black fixture is the best place to begin. Black chandeliers look especially good in most rooms, particularly ones that have a rich color, such as deep reds and greens. Adding a black chandelier can definitely enhance the elegance or ambiance of a room that has darker colors. Although, the contrast can also be quite eye catching in a lighter colored room.

Shopping online is often the easiest way to find just what you are looking for in chandelier lighting. You can even search by color at many online lighting stores. Additionally, you will be able to see the measurements, what is included in the packaging (such as bulbs, additional wiring or chain links, etc.), as well as shipping costs. Typically, most sites offer free shipping for any order over $50. Most also have a generous return policy that supplies you with the return labels and detailed instructions on repackaging and shipping the item back to the store. Many times the item is shipped by UPS, which will pick the package up at your house for no additional charge. Or, you can always take it to the nearest UPS store or mailbox outlet store that offers shipping by UPS.

You may want to consider purchasing your chandelier lighting online. Even if you have to return the fixture, it’s often easier to do so with an online purchase than with one you bought at a local store. Many online stores offer free shipping if you spend over $50. Additionally, the return policies are also typically very good, with shipping labels often included in the packaging, and UPS pick up from your front door.

Prior to shopping for your chandelier lighting, there are a few things you should consider. First, are the measurements:

• Dining, Kitchen and Bedrooms – As a standard you will measure both the length and width of the room in inches and then add those two numbers together. That sum will equal the diameter of the chandelier you will be purchasing. However, if the fixture will be hanging above a large table and you feel that the length/width measurement may be too small, you can also just measure the width of the table and 3/4 of the table size will be the size you want. Please note, the bottom of the chandelier needs to be approximately 2.5-3 feet above the top of the table.

• Foyer – The length/width of the room measurement can also be used when sizing a chandelier for a foyer. Keep in mind the height of the ceiling in the foyer as well, as that should be at least seven feet from the floor.

Other things to consider are:

• Number of lights – You can choose from a 3-light nook, all the way up to a 12+ light grand foyer. Your choice will depend on the size of the room the light will hang in, as well as your preference for level of lighting: low, medium or bright.

• Chandelier finish – Do you want a glossy or matte finish? Brushed or bright metals? Do you want a more rustic or antique feel to the chandelier? You may want to consider a hand-rubbed antique finish.

• Shades – If you want a softer, more muted glow to the room, consider purchasing shades. Shades can also be a good idea for a foyer with a staircase, as it will help block the glare of the lighting when someone is on the stairs looking into the entrance. You can choose from glass, fabric, even paper shades. Be sure to check the wattage of your bulb as well.

• What styles do you feel would look good in that particular room or section of the house? Traditional? Contemporary? Transitional? Or maybe something more grand, such as Tiffany and art glass, or crystal chandeliers. Remember also, when considering style, that the more intricate the fixture, the more difficult it will be to clean. And a darker color will tend to show more dust than a lighter color.

Pink chandeliers are very popular right now, particularly for a young girl’s bedroom. They come in several shades and hues of pink and a variety of styles. Many are available in petite sizes to accommodate smaller rooms. These are called mini chandeliers.

Some of the more popular manufacturer’s for the smaller chandeliers are:

• Pretty in Pink
• Tadpoles
• Jubilee
• Sleeping Partners

Tadpoles, Jubilee, and Sleeping Partners make very similar chandelier lighting for children’s rooms. These lovely chandeliers usually have a mix of pink, clear  and/or light blue crystals that sparkle and shimmer, and add a wonderful, whimsical ambiance. The typically have three to four arms, oftentimes with dainty acrylic beads detailing the ornate scrolling. Finishes on the scrolling can be white or hand-rubbed antique. Chain and cover are included for hanging.

Additionally, the Tadpoles manufacturer offers a matching table lamp for your child’s desk or nightstand.

Pretty in Pink makes small swag chandeliers. These pink chandeliers come with delicate pink shades that add a soft glow to the light of the room. The metal scrolling is a white, hand-rubbed antique finish. The versatile swag styling allows the choice of simply plugging the chandelier into an outlet or hard wiring it to the ceiling with the included conversion kit.

Now, if you’re looking to “funk-i-fy” a room and you want something completely different, but with a touch of femininity, there are some great, eclectic styles to choose from.

The Pink Sereniti 1-light Chandelier is a trendy little touch. The shade is pink painted aluminum and the size is 6 3/4″ wide and 7 1/2″ high. The chrome plating on the ceiling cover adds some nice shine. This fixture only requires one 20-watt halogen bulb.

For a more feminine look, the Pink Ribbon Swag Style Plug-In Chandelier is ideal. A softer, more diffused lighting option, this fixture plugs directly into the wall. Swag hooks are included so that you can hang this beautiful chandelier pretty much anywhere you feel would work best. The size is 10″ high and 13 1/2″ wide.

All of these chandeliers can be purchased and/or returned easily online. Or some of your local stores may carry these, or very similar, styles.

Remember, when selecting your pink chandelier, ensure that you measure the room, as well as the ceiling height to where the bottom of the lighting will be once hung. Especially for your child’s room, you want the chandelier lighting to be low enough to add sparkle to the room, but you don’t want to be hitting your head on it every time you go in there! Additionally, the more complex the fixture, the more difficult it will be to clean.