Whether you’re considering a chandelier in your home or you just unpacked all of your chandelier components from the shipping box, figuring out what is what in a chandelier is simple. As a quick refresher, a chandelier is a suspended lighting fixture that can encompass multiple branches and contain one or more lights per branch. These can vary in size but are usually the focal point of any room. Since chandeliers can vary in style some common parts that may be found in a Traditional style chandelier may not be included in a Contemporary or Bohemian style chandelier for aesthetic purposes.
A. Canopy –A canopy houses all of the wiring and lighting components that are not immediately visible. Canopies are mounted on the ceiling and have the lighting fixture hanging down from it.
B. Wire– The actual electricity still has to reach the light bulbs from the canopy. If the chandelier uses a chain to suspend the fixture than the wire will wrap around the chain links as to not appear too visible
C. Rod/Chain – Depending on the style of your chandelier, the body of the fixture is going to be suspended from the ceiling using either a rod system or a chain. More Traditional styles will typically have a chain that is an aesthetic choice but also calls back to the chandeliers historical origins. More contemporary fixtures will have a solid rod. This is where the wire would be located.
D. Loop– This is the component that will connect the body of the chandelier to the chain.
E. Arm– the piece or pieces that extend from the body of the chandelier that contain the actual lighting elements.
F. Bulbs– This is what gives off light from the fixture, depending on the style this light can be directed upwards, downwards, or a combination of the two.
G. Shade– An optional decorative piece that can cover the bulbs from being visible. This serves the dual role of not just covering up unappealing looking bulbs, but it redirects light as well.
H. Finial– A small decorative nut that usually hangs at the bottom of the chandelier, a common piece used as a finial is a crystal or a detailed metal piece. More contemporary style will omit this feature.
