How do I choose a ceiling medallion?

A ceiling medallion is a round, square or oval embellishment that serves as a frame for a chandelier and becomes the centerpiece of a room. Most homeowners place them in the dining room.
 
Medallions tend to be formal, but a simple one can fit nicely into a contemporary room.
 
You can even make one yourself, or something like one, by creating a square or oval space in the center of the ceiling with crown molding.
 
If you’d prefer to buy a decorative medallion, measure your room before you go shopping. Once you know the square footage of the room (length times width), divide it by seven. That number tells you how big your ceiling medallion should be (in diameter) to proportionately “fit” your space. If you can’t find a big enough medallion, group two or three together or install several in different spots on the ceiling.
 
You can buy a medallion in heavy cast-plaster, but it will be heavy and could require you to reinforce the ceiling before hanging it.
 
A tip: Look for a medallion made from polyurethane; it will look like the real deal. You can attach it with adhesive and screws. Paint the medallion a different color from the rest of the ceiling so it stands out.
 
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