Most of our fixtures take a competent electrician under an hour. This guide explains what is involved, what to check before you order, and where the real decisions are, so you know what you are committing to.
First: does this need an electrician?
No, if it plugs in. Table lamps, floor lamps, plug-in wall lights and portable outdoor lanterns work straight out of the box. Fit a bulb and you are done.
Yes, if it is hardwired. Chandeliers, pendants, flush mounts and most wall sconces connect directly to your mains supply. Unless you are qualified and permitted to do this work where you live, hire a licensed electrician. This is not us being cautious for the sake of it. Improper installation is the one thing that voids your cover and, more importantly, it is a fire risk.
Before you order: five things to check
1. Ceiling height and drop
Every product page lists the adjustable drop range under Details. Measure floor to ceiling first.
- Over a dining table: the bottom of the fixture should sit 30 to 36 inches (75 to 90 cm) above the tabletop.
- Over a kitchen island: 30 to 34 inches above the counter, and keep sightlines across the room clear.
- In a hallway or open room: at least 7 feet (210 cm) of clearance underneath.
- Over a stairwell: measure from the highest step you could stand on, not from the floor below.
2. Width and proportion
Over a table, a fixture roughly half to two thirds the width of the table looks right. For a room, add the room's length and width in feet, that number in inches is a good starting diameter for a central fixture. A 12 by 14 ft room suggests something around 26 inches wide.
3. Weight and the ceiling box
Each product page lists the weight. A standard US ceiling electrical box supports up to 50 lb (23 kg); anything heavier needs a fan-rated or bar-hanger box, which your electrician will fit. Plasterboard alone will not hold a chandelier, it must anchor into a joist or a braced box.
4. Location and rating
Bathrooms, covered porches and anywhere exposed to moisture need a fixture rated for damp or wet locations. If a product page does not state a damp or wet rating, treat it as dry-location only. Ask us if you are unsure and we will check the specification for that model.
5. Switching and dimming
Decide now whether you want the fixture dimmable. Dimming needs a compatible dimmer switch and, where the bulb is replaceable, dimmable bulbs. Retrofitting a dimmer after the fixture is up means a second visit from the electrician.
What arrives in the box
Your fixture ships with its canopy, mounting bracket, suspension rods or cable, and the screws and anchors needed for a standard installation. Bulbs are not included, so you can choose your own brightness and colour temperature.
Open and check everything on arrival. Glass, alabaster and stone travel a long way to reach you. Report any transit damage within 7 days with photographs of the item and the packaging, and we will send replacement parts or a replacement piece at our cost.
Choosing bulbs
Unless a product page says otherwise, our fixtures use the US standard E26 socket at 110 to 120V. Do not exceed the maximum wattage printed on the fixture.
| Colour temperature | Where it works |
|---|---|
| 2200 to 2400K | Very warm, candle-like. Bedrooms, evening-only fixtures. |
| 2700K | Warm white. The default for living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms. |
| 3000K | Slightly crisper. Kitchens, bathrooms, hallways. |
| 3500 to 4000K | Neutral to cool. Workshops and task areas. Rarely right in a living space. |
Use the same colour temperature throughout a room. Mixing 2700K and 4000K in one space is the single most common reason a room looks off even when every fixture is beautiful.
The day of installation
- Switch off the circuit at the breaker, and confirm it is dead with a voltage tester. The wall switch is not enough.
- Unpack on a soft surface. Keep the packaging until the fixture is up and working, you will need it if anything has to go back.
- Assemble the shade and any glass last, after the body is mounted. It saves a lot of grief.
- Adjust the drop before the final tightening. Suspension rods and cable can usually be shortened, but not lengthened.
- Fit bulbs, restore power, and check dimming across the full range before the electrician leaves.
A few things that go wrong
The fixture hangs too low. Almost always a drop that was not adjusted before final assembly. Fixable, but it means taking it down again.
It flickers on a dimmer. Usually a mismatch between an LED bulb and an older trailing-edge dimmer. Try a different dimmable bulb before assuming the fixture is faulty.
The light is colder than expected. Check the bulb, not the fixture. A 4000K bulb in a warm brass chandelier will fight the finish.
Still unsure?
Send us your ceiling height, the width of the surface below, and a photo of the space. We will tell you honestly whether a piece will work before you order, including when the answer is no.
support@haviera.com · we answer within one business day, seven days a week.