First of all, decide where you're planning to install your chandelier. This may be a bit tricky considering that chandeliers are usually designed to be a bit bigger than standard ceiling pendants and island lights. A couple places that I would recommend would be the foyer, living room, and sometimes the dining room. Of course, this all depends upon the size of the room; too big of a chandelier and you'll dwarf the room, too small and you could end up with a lot of negative space and not enough light.

The next step is to decide what style you're looking for. Are you shopping for a traditional chandelier complete with multiple tiers, glass baubles and candelabra styled lamps? Or perhaps you're searching for a single tier style carved out of wood? Whatever the style, always consider the look of your current decor and work with it. For instance, if you have a Spanish styled split leveled home, having a chandelier with colorful blown glass diffusers and flowers may not work well. In fact, it may very well clash! You want your chandelier to heighten the look of your home with its elegance and beauty, not create design chaos.

The last step is to consider is will your chandelier put a dent on your electricity bills? Not too many people realize this, but lighting does cost a bit of dough, especially if they leave their lights on when they don't need them. If you're one of those folks who absolutely must leave their lights on for whatever reason (shame on you, that's wasteful!), consider replacing your bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs or any comparable, energy efficient bulbs. Most if not all chandeliers, table lamps, floor lamps and even outdoor lighting can use compact fluorescent bulbs, which is good news since that means you can use these nifty little bulbs on almost all the lights in your home thus saving you money.

Placement, style and energy efficiency are three very important key elements when it comes to purchasing lights. As long as you keep these tips in mind, you'll be pleased with your chandelier.