If you were to ask an interior designer, what the most fashionable lighting is now, they will normally answer, 'crystal chandelier'.
The variations that you are likely to find today, unless you visit a period lighting retailer, reflect the traditional style, but are of their own time.
In the past, this style of chandelier produced slightly distorted effects; the reason for this was the use of candles.
However, with modern technology, today's chandeliers are superb: blending elegance and sophistication, with practicality - and of course, not a candle in sight, light bulbs are now the order of the day.
We are fortunate now, to be able to purchase chandeliers in a selection of different materials, yet crystal remains a firm favourite, and unsurprisingly so given the natural beauty of crystals.
A common misconception held by many people, is that the chandelier belongs in a mansion, this simply is not the case.
The various styles that are available for purchase are such that they suit practically any setting.
With such a wide choice, there are styles to suit every budget.
They make the perfect accessory for a well decorated home, and can be the icing on the cake for many.
If you have recently decorated, and yet feel there is something missing, this could well be due to a problem with the rooms lighting.
Many people are unaware of the huge impact that lighting has upon the impression of a room, an extremely elegant and stylish house can fall far short of the mark it the lighting is incorrect.
As an extreme example, but in order to highlight the point being made: imagine a room that has all mod cons, the plushest sofa, the flattest TV, the finest oak furniture, and a fluorescent light fixture (the tube variety much loved by office management!).
The light will ruin the effect the designer intended of the furniture - casting an ugly, artificial ambience across the room.
Now in your mind, simply switch the fluorescent light for a crystal chandelier, the image is very different, the room now possesses a gentle, relaxing tone of light, creating a sense of peace, rather than an over-bearing cacophony.
Although this is an extreme example, the same is true of more subtle lighting, just that the effect is more subtle too.
When the lighting is wrong, but only by a degree or two, it is likely to create a sense that something is not quite right, yet it will be difficult to establish exactly what is wrong.
If you have problems with your interior design, but are unable to put your finger on the reasons why, perhaps it could be a simple matter of changing the light fittings to a more congruent style.
A style that is so versatile that it fits almost any surrounding is a crystal chandelier, thus, by selecting this style, you are likely to rectify any mistakes.
Of course, you must take heed of size, too large or too small and you will experience the same problem.