A ceiling medallion is an amazing accent for a wide range of ceiling lighting types, from ceiling fans to chandeliers. Basically, a ceiling medallion is an ornamental piece that lights up and enhances the surrounding areas around the ceiling canopy, where the wiring from a chandelier or other light fixture enters the ceiling junction box.

These lockets come in a variety of finishes and sizes and can also be painted to match your current room décor. Opt for a medallion size that perfectly matches the light fixtures along with the style and size of the room where it will be placed.

When choosing a ceiling medallion, keep the following 5 tips in mind:

1. Room and ceiling size

Calculate the dimensions of the room to decide what size of a medallion would be ideal for the space. With the help of 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 locket in inches. Also, take into account the height of the ceiling. Ceilings and rooms of greater focus can be enhanced with larger medallions that would otherwise overwhelm a tiny space.

2. Style and size of ceiling fan

Choose a medallion that is ideally suited to the size and complements the style of the ceiling fan. The medallions should be larger or smaller than the lamp, not the base but the lamp itself. Matching the size of the locket 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.

3. To paint or not to paint?

You can pair your border 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 will, of course, depend on your preferences and the current decor 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 locket but aren’t sure where to place it, choose 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 for 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 longest walls. The point where the two lines meet is the center of the room.

5. Consider ceiling accessories

When thinking about where to locate a visual feature on the floor, it can be easy to overlook ceiling features. These will affect how you actually perceive the soil. Swag lamps, ceiling fans, and chandeliers tend to draw attention up and down from their spot. You can place the ceiling medallion in the heart of a room, but if your chandelier isn’t perfectly centered as well, that variation will give the impression of a medallion out of place. To correct this problem, try aligning the medallion with the fixture’s focal point, using a plumb bob for precision.

On the other hand, if you decide not to place the medallion in the center, make sure it at least looks deliberate. A ceiling medallion that is partially out of the visual center of a room will look strange and bug-like. However, if it’s clear enough 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 in with the whole room so that each element appears to be in its correct place.