Follow a few simple guidelines to help you determine the proper height to hang a chandelier in a foyer.
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Hold the end of a measuring tape against the floor. Pull the tape out upward until you reach 7 feet. Do not allow the lowest point of your chandelier to go below that spot — chandeliers should not reach lower than 7 feet above the ground to provide adequate head clearance. If you have high ceilings — taller than 10 feet — you should not go lower than 7 feet, 6 inches to balance the space below and above the fixture. Allow at least 2 feet between the ceiling and the top of the chandelier.
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Hang your chandelier in the same manner as described in Step 1 if you're hanging it in a two-story foyer in which the second story overlooks the first. However, do not allow the chandelier to hang past the second story.
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Purchase a chandelier that appropriately fits your foyer. A good rule of thumb is to hang a chandelier that is 2-½ to 3 inches high per each foot the room is tall. For instance, if the foyer is 10 feet tall, you would hang a chandelier that is 25 to 30 inches tall. A chandelier of this size will look more balanced in the room than one that is shorter or taller.