7 Tips to Know When Shopping for Vintage Light Fixtures

Light fixtures play a pivotal role in defining your home's style. While there are countless new options on the market, it's hard to compete with a vintage light's craftsmanship and timeworn patina, especially if you're going for a historic look. But before you grow too attached to an Art Deco pendant light or an ornate Empire chandelier, there are a few key things to keep in mind. 

Dondi Prestwood has been restoring and selling vintage lights for more than 20 years, and she opened her Etsy shop, DondiLights, 13 years ago. "Shopping for vintage lighting isn't like buying a bowl, vase, or wall hanging for your home or office," Prestwood says. "A light has electricity attached to it, so it's really important that you do your homework before purchasing." She also notes that online purchases are often non-returnable since packing lights carefully for safe shipping requires significant time and materials. 

Although sourcing vintage light fixtures requires some upfront research, don't let it stray you from investing in a piece of history. Here's the knowledge you need to purchase vintage lighting with confidence. 

1. Use the Right Keywords

If you're online shopping or perusing Facebook Marketplace, the secret to finding a vintage light fixture you love lies in the keywords. When starting your search, you might not be familiar with the styles or design movements that fit your interior look. 

If that's the case, Prestwood suggests starting with broad search terms, such as "vintage crystal chandelier" or "vintage flush mount light." For Etsy, in particular, it's important to add the word "vintage" to your search. Otherwise, you may get reproduction pieces in your results.

According to Prestwood, if a listing reads "vintage-inspired" or you notice that large quantities are available, it's probably not truly vintage or antique. For eBay, it's also helpful to run your search words through the Antiques and Collectibles category filters.

Once you notice a pattern with the lights you're drawn to, pay attention to the style the seller lists. You might find that you tend to gravitate towards an Art Deco or Art Nouveau style, or perhaps you're always clicking on a very specific type, such as a waterfall chandelier. 

Sharon Taylor Gullett, owner and designer at Pickwick House, specializes in sourcing vintage light fixtures for historic homes. She works closely with a professional vintage light dealer but also finds fixtures from flea markets and Facebook Marketplace for restoration. Some of her favorite vintage light styles to search for include Maria Theresa and Empire chandeliers, Art Deco flush mounts, and swing arm wall sconces. 

2. Pay Attention to the Wiring and Overall Condition

A light fixture's wiring determines whether it's ready for installation or a project piece that will require repairs. "If the wiring is worn-looking or has fabric rope wires, it's always best to take it to a professional to look at," Taylor Gullett says. You should also know when to walk away from a piece you love. If a light is completely disassembled or has missing pieces along with outdated wiring, it might not be worth the cost of restoration, let alone the effort of tracking down a qualified restorer. 

When purchasing a vintage light on a site like Etsy, eBay, or Charish, Prestwood says to read the item description carefully and zoom in on the light's main wire. "If the main wire that goes through the chandelier is cloth, I don't care how beautiful it is—I always replace that," Prestwood says. She also notes that working with a reputable online seller will save you time and effort in the long run. "The main thing is to study your listings and ask questions," she says. "Always read the seller's reviews and communicate with them so you can feel good about things before purchasing."

Lastly, keep in mind that lights from France or Italy will most likely require complete rewiring to meet your local electric codes and to fit U.S. light bulbs. Prestwood says it can be challenging to find a local restorer who can rewire a chandelier with several arms, so consider that before purchasing. 

 3. Don't Be Afraid to Mix Eras and Styles

When you're on the hunt for lighting, Taylor Gullett says not to limit yourself to one style or period-appropriate pieces for your home. "I love the playfulness of mixing different styles, and I think when you have just one style, it gets boring," Taylor Gullett says. "There are other ways to make your home's lighting feel cohesive. For example, you could stick with all brass, but you also don't necessarily need to limit yourself there either."

For example, Taylor Gullett chose a Maria Theresa chandelier for her dining room to create mood lighting, but she went with a 1920s utilitarian-style light fixture to provide enough illumination in her kitchen. 

4. Pay Attention to the Size

As with any important home purchase, don't forget to measure. Always note the size of the fixture and the length of the drop chain, and think of it in relation to the spot you want to install the light. 

To calculate the ideal width of a chandelier, add the length plus the width of the room together. This total in feet should be close to the ideal diameter of the chandelier in inches. For example, if you have a 7x8-foot room, your fixture should be about 15 inches in diameter.

In terms of the drop length for pendants and chandeliers, a light fixture above a dining room table should hang 30-36 inches above the table, while a fixture hanging above an open space should clear the floor by at least 7 feet. 

"I'm typically not ever worried about a light fixture being too big but more about it being too small," Taylor Gullett says. "As far as drops go, I usually ask for pieces to be wired extra long. That way, I can put an S hook on the chain to make it adjustable and have some variations if I want."

5. Consider the Effort to Install

Vintage flush mount, semi-flush mount, and small pendant lights with updated wiring are usually a quick install job. However, heavier light fixtures, like large eight-light chandeliers, often require reinforcements and, therefore, more money in labor. Prestwood always tells her customers to work with a qualified, licensed electrician who can secure the light properly. 

"For fixtures heavier than just your average flush mount or small chandelier, it's important to use what's called a fan brace that attaches to the joists in your ceiling," Prestwood says. "Really heavy fixtures could need additional types of support." She also says this is especially true if you're replacing a small flush-mount fixture with a heavier fixture. 

6. Understand the Upkeep

Before committing to certain styles of vintage light fixtures, remember that the more ornate, the more effort it takes to clean. Additionally, lights in certain rooms, such as a kitchen, may require more frequent polishing to remove dirt and grease. 

"Clean your light fixtures on an as-needed basis," says Prestwood. "The reason I'm saying as needed is because it depends on location. For example, I live out in the country where there are rock roads, so dust accumulates faster." She recommends wiping down the outside of flush-mount lights with a microfiber cloth and chandeliers with a feather duster during your routine cleaning. 

To deep-clean crystal chandeliers, you can remove the crystals and wash them in the sink with a mild dish detergent or climb on a ladder and clean them by hand with glass cleaner. Use a cloth with a tight weave to avoid snags from the crystal's wire. 

Certain vintage light fixtures contain paint on the metal surfaces or the glass globes. Prestwood recommends dampening a soft white cloth with water and gently blotting the painted surface. If you notice any paint transfer, it's best to refrain from using water to remove the dirt and simply embrace the patina. 

7. Find the Right Accessories

After you've invested in a vintage light fixture, it's time to dress it up. Taylor Gullett loves drawing attention to lights with ceiling medallions. Many ceiling medallions require installation prior to the light fixture going up. However, you can purchase a two-piece version that features a split down the middle but installs seamlessly if your light is already up. For the lighting itself, she recommends putting chandeliers on dimmers and opting for soft white lightbulbs that cast a warm glow. 

If your fixture has a broken or missing piece like a crystal or a candle drip ring, Prestwood suggests contacting an Etsy seller who specializes in vintage lighting, even if you don't see the piece you're trying to track down listed in their shop. "I have people constantly contacting me looking for replacements," she says. "I don't always have time to list everything on Etsy, so I have a huge inventory of parts and crystals that are not listed."