When guests come and visit, the foyer is the part of your home that they see first, setting their first impression of you and your entire house. Beyond the furniture and floral arrangements, lighting is an integral part of your foyer as it helps set the mood and the atmosphere in your home’s entrance. A chandelier is a perfect lighting fixture for a foyer, with its elegance and sophistication as well as the amount of general lighting that it provides.

Installing a chandelier can be done by you without the help of an expert. Here is a step by step guide on how to mount a chandelier and the things that you will need to complete this activity.

Things you’ll need:

• Chandelier
• Installation kit
• Light bulbs
• Wire nuts
• Screwdrivers, various sizes
• Electrical tape
• Wire strippers
• Voltage tester

Step 1: Switch the power off

If there is an existing lighting fixture in your foyer, switch it on and check out the circuit breaker to see which breaker switch controls power to that particular area. Make sure that the power to this specific fixture is completely off prior to removing this from the ceiling of your foyer. You will need someone to help you hold this light fixture in place while you are removing the wire leads and then lower it down.

If there is no existing light fixture in your foyer, check that the power is off at the main source with the use of a voltage tester before you start with your chandelier installation.

Step 2: Determine the height

You will have to determine how low you would like the chandelier to hang from the foyer ceiling. The height should allow for everyone to walk freely through this space without hitting the tip of the chandelier.  The distance from the doors should also be checked and make sure that the doors do not hit the chandelier when completely opened. The chandelier fixture will come with a chain and wires, adjust these accordingly so that you achieve the appropriate height.

Step 3: Mount the support box

The support box should be positioned above the electrical bracket on the ceiling as it will be bearing the weight of the chandelier. Mount the support box above the bracket and firmly fasten it into place using the screws that are included in the installation kit. If lock nuts are also provided in the kit, tighten these on to help secure it further in place.

Step 4: Install the wiring

For this step, you will again be needing someone to help you in holding the chandelier in place below the ceiling as you insert the wires up and through the support box and into the electrical bracket. Make sure that the grounding wire is properly secured in place. Then, wrap the black wire around the black terminal or wire in the support box followed by the white chandelier wire to the white one. Wrap the base of the box in electrical tape so that these wires stay in place.

Step 5: Hang the chandelier in place

Raise the chandelier and fasten the nut around the threaded nipple located at the base of the electric box. Secure this by hand to avoid removing any of the finish. Follow the instructions from the installation kit to secure the chandelier fixture in place. Make sure that the chandelier is indeed secured before you slowly let it go. Turn the power back on then install the light bulbs into the fixture. Test it.