Glass Chandeliers

What glass brings to a chandelier

Every chandelier on this page is made with glass, and the type of glass decides how its light looks. We stock glass chandeliers in clear, opal and frosted glass. Clear glass shows the bulb and sparkles, though it can dazzle at eye level. Frosted glass hides the bulb and softens the light, which is kinder over a dining table. Opal glass is a milky white that glows evenly.

A coloured glass chandelier changes the mood of a room. Some of ours have amber glass, which gives a warm, honeyed glow. Some have smoked glass, a soft grey tint that cuts glare and suits a darker scheme. We also stock crystal designs, which catch the light and scatter it in bright flecks.

Globe and bubble glass chandeliers

We stock globe designs, where rounded glass shades surround the bulbs and send the light outwards. A cluster of globes over a dining table gives an even wash of light. Some of ours are bubble chandeliers, with bubbles that catch the light from different angles and still look good when switched off. A few of ours have branching arms, for a looser, more sculptural shape. Globes and bubbles take more care to clean, as we explain below.

Modern and traditional glass chandeliers

We stock modern and traditional glass chandeliers. For a modern glass chandelier, look for clean lines, globes or a linear bar, with black, brass or chrome setting off the glass, and a smoked glass chandelier on a black frame suits darker walls. In a period home, curved arms, candle bulbs and crystal sit well with cornicing and a ceiling rose. We also stock industrial, vintage, mid-century modern, Scandinavian and rustic designs. A few of ours take their cue from art deco.

For the metalwork, we stock brass, gold, chrome, nickel, bronze and black, with polished, brushed, satin, matt and antique finishes.

Bulbs and fittings for glass chandeliers

Most of our glass chandeliers take bulbs you fit yourself, so check the specification for the fitting, as that decides which bulbs you buy, and for whether bulbs are included. We stock designs that take E14 and E27 screw bulbs, G9 capsules and GU10 bulbs. A few take tiny G4 capsules. Some have LEDs built in, so there is nothing to fit. Never go above the maximum wattage stated for the lampholder.

Clear glass and crystal put the bulb on show, so a decorative filament or candle LED looks best. Frosted and opal glass hide it, so a standard LED does the job. For dining rooms and living rooms, a warm white of 2700K or 3000K gives a flattering glow, while 4000K looks crisper and cooler.

Dimming a glass chandelier

Many of our glass chandeliers are dimmable, so the light can suit a busy meal or a quiet evening. Turned down, frosted and opal glass glow like a lantern. Where the specification says so, dimming needs dimmable bulbs and a compatible dimmer switch. With LED bulbs, ask your electrician to check the dimmer suits LEDs, as an older dimmer can cause flicker or buzzing. Some of our chandeliers are not dimmable, so check the specification before you plan around a dimmer.

Sizing and hanging a glass chandelier

Almost all of our glass chandeliers suit dining rooms and living rooms, and many also suit bedrooms and kitchens. Over a dining table, choose a chandelier clearly narrower than the table, and hang it low enough to light the surface but high enough to see across. To judge the width, hold up a card circle the same size as the chandelier where it will hang. A few of ours are linear designs, a long bar that suits a long table.

Many of ours have a drop your electrician sets on installation, so it can hang at the right height for your table or ceiling. Glass adds weight, so check the ceiling fixing can take it. As a chandelier is wired into a ceiling point, we recommend a qualified electrician fits it. In England and Wales, adding a circuit in a home falls under Part P of the Building Regulations.

Cleaning a glass chandelier

Switch off at the wall and let the bulbs cool first. Dust regularly with a soft microfibre cloth. For a deeper clean, wipe clear glass with a cloth dampened in warm water and a drop of washing-up liquid, then buff it dry with a lint-free cloth. Frosted and opal glass need the same gentle care, with no abrasive pads or polishes, which can mark the surface. Treat coloured glass with mild soapy water only, as harsh solvents can dull it.

If your globe shades lift off, wash them by hand and dry them inside and out before refitting. Bubble glass has curves and narrow gaps, so work round it with a soft brush while supporting the glass with your other hand. Spray any cleaner onto the cloth, never the fitting, and make sure the glass is dry before you switch back on.