Starburst Chandeliers

Why We Love Starburst Chandeliers

Starburst chandeliers are a signature fixture of mid-century modern design. Starburst ceiling lights make a great focal point for a foyer, entryway or dining room. These modern chandeliers hang from a central post and "explode" into dozens of thin arms with a bulb at the end of them. Today's LED technology makes this effect even more dramatic, as the bulbs can be hidden more easily if you don't like the exposed bulb look. We love the sputnik chandelier design, the surprising amount of light these fixtures produce and the timeless, retro look.

Where Starburst Chandeliers Work Best

Starburst chandeliers work best in areas with high ceilings, such as a two-level foyer, where the eye can be drawn up to the fixture, as well as in spaces where there is a central focal point, such as a dining room table or a kitchen island. You don't want to have any other fixtures competing in the space with these mid-century modern lighting fixtures. If you need more light, using hidden ceiling lights will complement your other lighting sources without overpowering them. Starburst ceiling lights also work well in a bedroom with high ceilings, centered in the room or positioned over a seating area.

Starburst Chandelier Designers We Love

While there are a myriad of starburst retro chandeliers on the market, there are a few we particularly like. We love the classic sputnik fixtures with the bulbous lights of Jonathan Adler and the brass starburst ceiling lights by Arteriors. We're also partial to the oval-shaped starburst fixtures by Visual Comfort, the snowflake-like designs from ELK Lighting and the stark, geometric shaped fixtures from Tech Lighting.

How to Choose the Best Starburst Chandeliers

Choosing the right size is a chief concern when shopping for starburst chandeliers. This is especially true for entryway chandeliers. A fixture that looks huge in the showroom may look tiny in your grand foyer. When hanging modern chandeliers above a dining room table, island or other pieces of furniture, you'll want to measure the furniture and center the light fixture above it without hanging it hanging over the furniture. As far as height of the fixture, you'll want roughly 3/4" of fixture height for every foot of ceiling height over eight feet. To arrive at the ideal diameter for starburst ceiling lights, add the width and length of the room together. That number is the ideal diameter for your light fixture.

Other Considerations

Other considerations when choosing starburst chandeliers include price. These modern chandeliers can run from a few hundred dollars to more than $5,000. In addition, you'll want to decide how much light you need from your chandelier. You should also consider whether it's primarily for decoration or you need a high-functioning light fixture. The more arms starburst ceiling lights have, the more light they will produce. Lastly, you may want to ask whether the fixture you have your eye on is compatible with dimmer switches if that is a function you are interested in, a big consideration with dining room chandeliers.