Traditional Chandeliers

Crystal and K9 crystal in classic rooms

Traditional chandeliers earn their keep through cut glass that catches and spreads light across a room. Our range leans on cut crystal, much of it K9 crystal, used across everything from small three-light frames to large fittings carrying twenty or more lights. All of them throw warm reflections once lit, and they suit the rooms people most often hang them in: dining rooms and living rooms, where ambient light is the goal rather than tight task lighting.

You will find faceted drops, rods and tubes alongside more sculptural empire, oval and orb shapes, plus tiered builds that stack the crystal across two or three levels. Rod and tube designs draw the eye downward, which can help in a narrower hallway or above a tall table. There is even a wall chandelier in the range, a five-light crystal piece that carries the same look onto a landing or stair wall.

Traditional chandelier finishes for a classic scheme

The metalwork sets the mood as much as the crystal does. Our range covers gold, French gold and heirloom gold for a warmer, more period feel, alongside polished chrome and silver where you want the frame to recede and let the glass do the work. Antique brass, aged bronze and old bronze read softer and suit older or more rustic rooms, while gunmetal and polished antique nickel lean a little more contemporary. A handful of pieces add leather or fabric detailing to the crystal, and a few step away from cut glass altogether for a country look. Matching the finish to door handles, taps or other metal in the room keeps a scheme feeling considered rather than busy.

Getting the proportions right for a traditional chandelier

Size is where most chandelier choices go wrong, so it helps to measure before you browse. A common starting point for a dining room is to match the fitting's diameter, in centimetres, to roughly half to two thirds of the table width, leaving the glass clear of the edges. Over a table, hang the lowest drop about 75 to 85cm above the surface so the light sits in view without blocking sightlines. In a hallway or open room with no furniture beneath, raise it so the lowest point clears head height with room to spare.

Many of our traditional designs are large, with widths from 50cm upward and tiered builds carrying anywhere from a handful of lights to twenty or more. Higher light counts and multiple tiers want generous ceiling height and a wide footprint to read properly, so a tall stairwell or a double-height hall tends to flatter them. Smaller four and five-light versions work in bedrooms and more modest dining spaces where a single tier is enough.

Fittings, bulbs and dimming

Most of our traditional chandeliers take E14 small Edison screw bulbs, usually several per fitting, which keeps each lamp discreet behind the crystal. Warm white is the natural pairing here, since it warms the metalwork and gives the glass a soft glow rather than a clinical edge. A good number of the range is dimmable, which matters more on a chandelier than on most fixtures: being able to drop the level turns a bright dining light into a low evening backdrop. Check that any dimmable model is paired with a compatible dimmer switch and dimmable bulbs.

These are indoor fittings, many rated IP20, so they belong in dry rooms rather than bathrooms or covered outdoor spaces. Plenty of pieces here sit comfortably in modern and contemporary schemes too, so the classic cut does not lock you into a period look.

Cleaning and care

Crystal and K9 crystal both dull over time as dust settles into the facets, which is exactly what robs a chandelier of its sparkle. For routine care, turn the power off, let any bulbs cool, then dust the drops with a soft, dry cloth or a clean make-up brush to reach between facets. For a deeper clean, a barely damp microfibre cloth with a little glass cleaner, followed by a dry buff, brings the cut back. On larger tiered pieces it pays to photograph the layout first so removable drops go back in the right place. Avoid soaking metalwork or letting moisture sit on the finish, particularly on antique brass and bronze, where it can mark over time.