Decorating and furnishing your home is generally a reflection of your personality with furnishings and colour schemes chosen to suit your own particular personal taste. The same is true when purchasing a chandelier, some people like the dramatic fashion of black chandeliers, others prefer a feminine crystal style, there are mini chandeliers for the less ostentatious amongst you, or brass and metal for those with an interest in antiques. Whatever you prefer there is something to suit everyone online, check out some websites now and browse through their catalogues and you'll be struck by the huge variety in styles, materials and price range.

Chandeliers date back as far as medieval times when there were no electric lights and people constructed these elaborate lighting fixtures to be able to hold hundreds of candles to light up large areas. Most candle designs have now been replaced with electric bulbs due to convenience and safety, however it is still possible to find a genuine candle chandelier if that's really what interests you.

A chandelier light can look good in any room, formal for the hallway for an instant effect, mini size for a bathroom or breakfast bar, coloured glass or crystals for the master bedroom, they provide a focus point for the room and can be really effective if chosen to complement the décor and furnishings. Larger sizes look better in living areas, spacious kitchens or hallways and bedrooms, whilst simpler styles can be a real feature in a smaller area. The dining room table is a popular place to hang one and creates a great conversation piece as well as making a centerpiece stand out.

A popular design is the crystal chandelier complete with hanging cut lead crystals that throw off a stunning spectrum of light and can bring a mixture of grace and formality to the room where they hang. If you're searching for something a little less formal then go for wood, ceramic or wrought iron. Ceramic is particularly suitable for modern kitchens, a girl's bedroom or sunny conservatory, whereas a heavy multi coloured glass chandelier would look great suspended over a pool or game table in a casual setting.

Chandeliers really set the mood, for a really dramatic look choose a black metal chandelier, it will look great in a room painted in strong colours and decorated in similar furnishings. If you want to feel like a princess then a glass or crystal design would be a good choice, there are hundreds of elegant and dazzling designs to make a statement and bring a room to life.

Antique chandeliers are generally made of crystal, wrought iron, or brass and, original ones handed down through the family or procured along with the house. If your budget doesn't stretch to the real thing then you could always try looking in second-hand shops, at flea markets or auctions, or simply look online where there are replicas available made to look old and worn for character.

You'll find lots of brass options that are reproductions of valuable antique lighting styles. No longer just for the rich and famous, chandeliers are now an affordable option for every homemaker interested in a lighting fixture that will make their home look special and elegant.

Coloured chandeliers create a warm and rich atmosphere and an outstanding focal point. Choose one that incorporates colored crystal adornments if you are looking for something totally unique, or it's possible to get something custom-made if you have the budget for it. Otherwise, there are already plenty of pre-made coloured crystal alternatives on the market. The other choice is to buy a clear crystal light and then simply use coloured light bulbs, this way you can change the atmosphere of the room at any time just by changing the colours of the bulbs.

There is a diverse collection of subtle, rich and flamboyant coloured chandelier available, from black, red and white to green, to pink and rose. They can enhance an already themed space or highlight a blank canvas, suiting both traditional and modern surroundings, and creating an individual design statement.

Just go online if you want to do some research into fashions and designs of these unique lighting fixtures. The range of materials and adornments is fascinating and will keep you occupied for hours. You'll find lots of websites that have all the top brand names at affordable prices, try to shop by category, brand or price to narrow the search field down to an acceptable level.