How to Size a Ceiling Medallion Properly

One of the easiest and least time-consuming projects that anyone can undertake is the installation of a ceiling medallion. Although in the past they were made from plaster, today these decorative ornaments are made of lightweight polyurethane foam. This makes them much easier to handle. Ceiling medallions are used to draw attention to chandeliers and light fixtures, or to enhance crown molding. They are also used to create a special charm and ambiance reminiscent of an era where comfort, warmth and elegance flourished.

Our goal at GoCeilingMedallion.com is to provide you with the best selection of high quality decorative ceiling products, tools and supplies, along with ideas and assistance to help you create that special atmosphere unique to you. We want you to have the perfect ceiling for the rooms that you want to live in. To that end, our full catalog features over 150 ceiling medallion styles, including a new Elegant Series.

One question that we get asked quite often: What is the best way to size your ceiling medallion? We want to answer that question for all of our readers and customers with this blog post.

There are essentially three factors to keep in mind when you are choosing and sizing a ceiling medallion:

1. Size of the fixture. The ceiling medallion you choose should be one that is either larger or smaller than the diameter of the actual fixture, not the base of the fixture. However, when combining it with a ceiling fan, medallions are usually those with a smaller diameter. You can combine the ceiling medallion with a ceiling rim to further enhance a larger fixture, too.

2. Size of the room. You want to make sure that the medallion you choose is proportional to the room in which you plan to use it. In other words, if you will be placing it in a grand entryway, you will want to use a larger size, for the best effects. Use a smaller ceiling medallion in cozier rooms or in narrower spaces.

3. Height of the ceiling. If your ceilings are 8’ high, the ceiling medallion that looks best will be one that is smaller. Too large and it could overpower your room rather than enhance it. Use a larger medallion if your ceilings are at least 10’ or higher. Again, you can utilize a ceiling rim with your medallion to have the effect of a larger medallion.

If you still aren’t sure, try one or both of these methods to help you pick the right size. Cut out a paper or cardboard cutout of the ceiling medallion that you like and affix it to the ceiling to get a better idea of how your medallion will look with your fixtures. You can also try varying sizes and compare them.

If you want the mathematical formula: Take the length of your room and multiply that by the width of your room. Divide that number by 7 to get the diameter of the ceiling medallion. For example: You have a room that is 12’ x 12’. That’s 144 square feet. Divide by 7 and you get a diameter of 21” for your ceiling medallion.

One final consideration to keep in mind is the style of your room. You may wish to complement the room with your ceiling medallion, in which case you should look for something that matches the pattern or style of your molding.

Ceiling medallions can also be combined with a rosette and used to decorate an otherwise plain ceiling. You can use these architectural ornaments as wall decorations. Use several small ones in the hallway. Ceiling medallions are versatile and come in many styles and sizes. They can be painted to match any room. They are frequently manufactured from high-density furniture grade polyurethane. This makes them lightweight, durable and easy to use. They are less expensive than molded plaster or carved wood, yet indistinguishable from those products. Ceiling medallions are one of the most popular architectural details utilized to enhance your home.

When all is said and done, however, there are no hard and fast rules. It is your home and you cannot go wrong when you are comfortable and happy. Like the Australians say: No Rules, Just Right.

So get started today with a ceiling medallion from GoCeilingMedallion.com. If we don’t have it, we’ll find it because we are the GO TO people for all of your decorative ceiling products.

Copyright 2007. Patricia Tomaskovic