Shop grand chandeliers and custom chandeliers sized 36 inches and larger for spaces where standard fixtures disappear. Our collection features multi-tier crystal designs, cascading statement pieces, and bespoke lighting from H.A. Framburg, Currey & Company, Hubbardton Forge, Visual Comfort, and 7 additional artisan brands.
Find the perfect grand chandelier for two-story foyers, great rooms with high ceilings, formal dining spaces, and commercial applications including hotel lobbies and luxury event venues.
What Defines Grand and Custom Chandeliers?
Grand chandeliers exceed 36 inches in diameter and deliver the visual weight that two-story foyers, vaulted great rooms, and luxury spaces demand. Where large chandeliers suit rooms with standard 9-10 foot ceilings, grand chandeliers fill vertical space in 12-24 foot environments without appearing lost or undersized.
Custom chandeliers offer modifications to standard designs—adjusted dimensions, custom finishes, modified crystal configurations, or entirely bespoke creations tailored to specific architectural requirements. Many fixtures in this collection accommodate customization for ceiling height, finish, and scale.
Grand Chandeliers for Two-Story Foyers
Two-story foyers present unique lighting challenges that standard chandeliers cannot address. With ceiling heights from 16 to 24 feet, these architectural spaces require fixtures engineered for extended drop lengths, dual viewing angles, and proper light distribution across multiple levels.
Dual Viewing Angles
Grand foyer chandeliers must look intentional from three perspectives: the entry floor looking up, the staircase looking across, and the second-floor railing looking down. Multi-tier designs and vertical silhouettes accomplish this by distributing visual interest throughout the fixture's full height rather than concentrating detail at the bottom.
Sizing for Two-Story Spaces
Standard sizing formulas require adjustment for high ceilings. Begin with the room formula—add length plus width in feet to get diameter in inches—then add 20-30% for ceilings above 14 feet.
Foyer Dimensions
Ceiling Height
Recommended Diameter
10' × 12'
16-18 feet
26-32 inches
12' × 14'
18-20 feet
36-42 inches
14' × 16'
20-24 feet
50-60 inches
16'+ × 18'+
20-24 feet
54-72 inches
Hanging Height Guidelines
Position grand chandeliers so the bottom hangs at least 7.5 feet above the floor for safe clearance. In two-story foyers, align the fixture's visual center with the second-floor sightline or slightly below the landing, creating drama from both levels while maintaining proper scale.
For fixtures with substantial vertical height (3+ feet), you can stay on the lower end of the diameter range since the extended length fills vertical space.
Grand Chandelier Applications
Great Rooms and Vaulted Ceilings
Open-concept great rooms with cathedral ceilings or vaulted architecture benefit from grand chandeliers that anchor seating areas and provide ambient illumination throughout expansive spaces. Multi-tier designs distribute light across different heights, preventing the "spotlight effect" that single-level fixtures create in tall rooms.
Grand Staircases
Spiral and cascading chandelier designs transform staircases into architectural features. These fixtures draw the eye upward, creating visual continuity between floors while illuminating steps for safety. Extended vertical profiles—some reaching 8 feet or more—suit circular stairwells and dramatic entry sequences.
Formal Dining Rooms
Luxury dining rooms with 10-12 foot ceilings and seating for 10-16 guests require grand chandeliers that match the table's scale. Empire silhouettes with tiered crystal, traditional candelabra arms, and contemporary linear designs all work in formal entertaining spaces.
Commercial and Hospitality
Hotel lobbies, upscale restaurants, ballrooms, and event venues specify grand chandeliers as defining architectural elements. These installations often require engineering consultation, reinforced mounting, and professional installation. Our custom design services accommodate commercial specifications including specific ceiling heights, finish matching, and light output requirements.
Grand Chandelier Styles
Multi-Tier and Tiered Crystal Chandeliers
Tiered chandeliers stack multiple levels of arms, crystals, or light sources, creating the vertical presence grand spaces demand. Traditional tiered designs feature cascading crystal prisms; contemporary interpretations use geometric rings or sculptural elements. These fixtures particularly suit two-story foyers where layered visual interest reads well from multiple viewing angles.
Cascading and Waterfall Chandeliers
Cascading designs suspend crystal strands, glass elements, or sculptural components in flowing arrangements that suggest movement and luxury. Waterfall silhouettes narrow from top to bottom, creating dramatic focal points in circular stairwells and tall, narrow spaces.
Spiral Chandeliers
Spiral chandeliers wind crystal or glass elements around central axes, filling vertical space while maintaining visual lightness. These fixtures suit modern two-story foyers and contemporary great rooms where traditional tiered designs feel too formal.
Empire Crystal Chandeliers
Empire chandeliers feature the classic pear-shaped silhouette with draped crystal strands converging toward a bottom finial. This traditional European form defined grand spaces in historic estates and continues anchoring formal dining rooms and elegant foyers. Hand-cut crystal prisms create exceptional light refraction.
Contemporary Statement Chandeliers
Modern grand chandeliers embrace sculptural forms, geometric frameworks, and innovative materials. LED-integrated designs (particularly from Kuzco chandeliers) combine architectural presence with energy efficiency. Abstract silhouettes suit contemporary homes where traditional crystal feels inconsistent with the design vocabulary.
Lantern Grand Chandeliers
Oversized lantern chandeliers—rectangular, hexagonal, or cylindrical caged frames—suit farmhouse estates, transitional great rooms, and traditional foyers. Northeast Lantern crafts grand-scale lanterns in solid brass and copper using traditional Maine craftsmanship.
Featured Grand Chandelier Brands
H.A. Framburg: American-made chandeliers since 1905. Framburg's grand crystal chandeliers define formal spaces with traditional craftsmanship and exceptional light refraction. Multi-tier designs, empire silhouettes, and custom sizing available.
Currey & Company: Artisan-crafted fixtures combining natural materials, hand-applied finishes, and distinctive designs. Known for statement pieces using wrought iron, natural fibers, and mixed materials with handmade character.
Hubbardton Forge: Hand-forged wrought iron made in Vermont since 1974. Each grand chandelier crafted by skilled artisans using traditional metalworking techniques. Custom finishes and sizing accommodate specific architectural requirements.
Visual Comfort: Designer collaborations with Thomas O'Brien, Aerin, Chapman & Myers, and Kelly Wearstler. Luxury fixtures for high-end residential and commercial projects.
Kuzco: LED-integrated contemporary designs with architectural precision. Modern grand chandeliers combining sculptural presence with energy efficiency. Explore our dedicated Kuzco chandeliers collection.
Minka Lavery: Metropolitan elegance with distinctive finishes including specialty bronze and gold tones. Grand fixtures for transitional and contemporary spaces.
Golden Lighting: Value-conscious traditional and farmhouse styles scaled for larger applications.
Metropolitan: Traditional elegance with refined details for formal spaces.
Northeast Lantern: Handcrafted solid brass and copper lanterns made in Maine. Grand-scale lantern chandeliers for estates and luxury homes.
Additional brands: Alora Mood, Quoizel
Custom Chandelier Services
Size Modifications
Many fixtures accommodate dimension adjustments for specific ceiling heights and room proportions. Standard sizing works for most applications, but custom specifications ensure grand chandeliers fill their intended spaces properly.
Finish Customization
Custom finishes match existing hardware, architectural metals, or design specifications. Options range from traditional brass and bronze to contemporary matte black, specialty patinas, and multi-finish combinations.
Crystal and Material Modifications
Crystal configurations, glass shade selections, and material substitutions accommodate design requirements and budget considerations. K9 optical crystal, hand-cut Bohemian crystal, and art glass options provide different aesthetic and price points.
Commercial Specifications
Hospitality and commercial projects require engineering documentation, load calculations, and installation coordination. Our custom design services support architects and designers with specification development, shop drawings, and project management.
Materials and Finishes
Crystal Quality
K9 Optical Crystal: Optical-grade glass with 30% lead content for superior clarity and light refraction
Hand-Cut Crystal: Premium faceted elements creating exceptional rainbow patterns—the traditional choice for grand chandeliers
Bohemian Crystal: European craftsmanship with rich optical quality and centuries of heritage
Murano-Style Glass: Hand-blown elements with artisan character and color options
Metal Options
Brass: Polished brass for formal elegance; antique brass for warmth; satin brass for contemporary softness
Bronze: Oil-rubbed bronze for traditional depth; antique bronze for aged character; Venetian bronze for Mediterranean warmth
Wrought Iron: Hand-forged iron for architectural weight; aged iron for rustic appeal
Chrome and Nickel: Polished chrome for modern formality; brushed nickel for transitional versatility
Gold Finishes: Antique gold for traditional luxury; gold leaf for ultimate opulence; champagne gold for contemporary warmth
What size chandelier do I need for a two-story foyer?
For two-story foyers with 16-24 foot ceilings, start with the standard room formula (length + width in feet = diameter in inches), then add 20-30% for the additional ceiling height. A 12'×14' foyer with 18-foot ceilings suits a 36-42 inch chandelier; a 14'×16' foyer with 20-foot ceilings requires 50-60 inches. Multi-tier or vertically extended designs work best since they provide visual interest from ground level, staircase, and second-floor viewing angles.
How high should a grand chandelier hang in a two-story foyer?
Position the chandelier's bottom at least 7.5 feet above the floor for safe clearance. In two-story spaces, align the fixture's visual center with the second-floor sightline or slightly below the staircase landing. This creates dramatic impact from both levels while maintaining proper proportion. For extremely tall chandeliers (8+ feet), you may need to hang the bottom higher to prevent the fixture from overwhelming the space.
What's the difference between grand and large chandeliers?
Large chandeliers typically measure 36-48 inches and suit rooms with 9-12 foot ceilings. Grand chandeliers start at 36 inches but extend to 60+ inches with substantial vertical profiles designed for two-story foyers, vaulted great rooms, and commercial spaces with 14-24 foot ceilings. Grand fixtures also feature multi-tier construction, extended drop lengths, and the visual weight required to anchor architecturally significant spaces.
Can grand chandeliers be customized?
Yes. Many grand chandeliers accommodate modifications for ceiling height, finish, crystal configuration, and overall dimensions. Custom services include size adjustments to fit specific spaces, finish matching to coordinate with existing hardware, and crystal upgrades or modifications. Commercial projects can access full custom design services including engineering documentation and project coordination.
Do grand chandeliers require special installation?
Most grand chandeliers require professional installation by a licensed electrician. Fixtures exceeding 50 pounds may need structural assessment and reinforced mounting hardware. Two-story installations often require scaffolding or lift equipment. Always verify that your ceiling junction box and support structure can accommodate the fixture weight before purchase.
