A ceiling medallion is an amazing accent for a wide range of types of ceiling lighting, from ceiling fans to chandeliers. Basically, a ceiling medallion is an ornamental piece that beautifies and enhances the surrounding areas around the ceiling canopy, where wiring from a chandelier or other light fixture enters the ceiling junction box.
These medallions come in a variety of finishes and sizes and can also be painted to match the room’s current décor. Opt for a medallion size that perfectly matches the fixtures along with the style and size of the room where it will be placed.
When choosing a ceiling medallion, consider the following 5 tips:
1. Size of the ceiling and the room
Calculate the dimensions of the room to decide what size medallion would ideally fit the space. Using a tape measure, measure both the width and the length of the room, then multiply both figures and divide by 7 to estimate the size of the medallion in inches. Also, take into account the height of the ceiling. Higher focal rooms and ceilings can be enhanced with larger medallions that would otherwise overwhelm a small space.
2. Ceiling fan style and size
Choose a medallion that is an ideal fit for size and that complements the style of the ceiling fan. The medallions should be bigger or smaller than the lamp, not the base, but the lamp itself. Matching the size of the medallion to that of the lamp will visually compress the size of the room. Since ceiling fans have a larger radius, you should choose a medallion with a smaller diameter than the fan itself.
3. To paint or not to paint?
You can match your trim with a nice glossy paint or you can just go for an accent color. Most ceiling medallions are purchased primed and ready to paint. The final answer, of course, will depend on your preferences and the current decoration of your room. It’s always a good idea to get inspired first and then make a final decision, so be sure to search the internet for ideas.
4. Not sure of the position? center it
If you love the idea of having a medallion but aren’t sure where to put it, go for the center position. Symmetry is aesthetically pleasing, and accentuating the center point can help bring the room together, especially when it comes to larger spaces.
To determine the center of a rectangular room, find the length of one of the shorter walls. Determine the center point of the wall and mark it. Do the same with the adjacent wall. Now use a laser plummet or chalk to draw a line between the two points. Continue the process using the focal points of the longer walls. The point where the two lines meet is the center of the room.
5. Consider ceiling fixtures
When thinking about where to place a visual feature on the floor, it can be easy to overlook features on the ceiling. These will affect how you actually perceive the floor. Accent lamps, ceiling fans, and sconces tend to draw attention up and down your space. You can place the ceiling medallion in the center of a room, but if your chandelier isn’t perfectly centered either, that variation will give the impression of a medallion out of place. To correct this problem, try to align the medallion with the focal point of the lamp, using a plumb bob for accuracy.
On the other hand, if you decide not to place the medallion in the center, make sure it at least appears deliberate. A ceiling medallion that is partially offset from the visual center of a room will look strange and like a mistake. However, if it’s pretty clear that it was never intended to be placed in the heart of the room, the asymmetry won’t be as distracting. The secret is to create visual harmony, which means that the parts must fit with the whole room so that each element seems to be in its right place.
