When decorating your home, look for alternatives to the .
A chandelier adds depth to your interior design scheme by drawing the eye upward and providing a functional piece of hanging art. Many chandeliers are traditional and ornate, but you can purchase or create a chandelier that reflects your personal style and complements the design of your home.
Socket
Make a socket chandelier, for a quick, do-it-yourself chandelier that makes a big statement. Start with a single standard ceramic light socket attached to a cord, and use socket extenders to make a pattern that radiates from the center. Once your have the complete socket extender pattern, screw in light bulbs and hang by the cord for an artistic chandelier. This type of chandelier is particularly useful for rooms with high ceilings, where the bold design will not overwhelm the room.
Candles
A chandelier lined with glowing candles has a softening, warming effect on a room. Choose a simple frame to show off the candles. A wooden square or a wrought-iron circle are elegant and do not interfere with the flickering light from candles, which can be thick pillars or tiny tea lights. Place this type of chandelier in a room where you gather often, such as a , and where it will be easy to place a ladder or chair to replace the candles.
Painted
If you are looking for an interesting and modern twist on the traditional chandelier, choose an ornate wooden version and paint it a bold, unexpected color. A bright-red chandelier, for example, adds instant drama to a black and white room and creates a focal point. For the biggest impact, choose a color that contrasts with the base colors of the rest of the room.
Silverware
A funky chandelier made of old knives, forks, and spoons creates a simple lighting element with dramatic impact. To make it, start with an bicycle rim and drill a series of holes around the rim. Experiment with spacing as you start tying to create different effects. Drill holes in the handle of each piece of silverware and use wire s-hooks to attach them to the bicycle rim. You can make a tiered chandelier by using rims of different sizes, or bend the rim into different shapes. Create a hanger by extending wires from the top ring to a hook hung from the ceiling and place a hanging bulb in the center of the chandelier.
Branch
Chandeliers constructed from tree branches bring in an elegant natural element to your house. This type of chandelier has lights wired into the branches and, when hung, appear to float above your dining room table or on the ceiling of a room. Tree branch chandeliers are best hung at a relatively low height above a seating area or table.
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