The paper chandelier, sculptural and airy
Key takeaways:
- A paper chandelier is a light fixture hung from the ceiling, whose paper shade, stretched, pleated or crumpled, surrounds the bulb and gives off a soft light without glare.
- The most useful selection criterion is the diameter, which should suit the room and the ceiling height: generous in a living room, more modest in a bedroom.
- Installation should be entrusted to a qualified electrician, with an LED bulb only, in a dry room, and care is limited to dry dusting.
A paper chandelier is a light fixture hung from the ceiling, whose paper shade, stretched over a frame, pleated, sculpted or crumpled, surrounds the light source and gives off an even, soothing glow, close to that of a veiled daylight. Extremely light, it creates a soft, poetic atmosphere with timeless elegance. Long associated with Japanese lanterns, paper now comes in true luminous sculptures with organic volumes.
This Lustria selection brings together chandeliers and pendant lights made of paper or with a paper look: Japanese lanterns, pleated shades, kraft paper petals, pyramidal and origami shapes, multilayered sculptural compositions and colored crumpled paper pendant lights, in different diameters depending on the room to be lit. The exact composition of each model is given on its product page. To see all of our models, browse our chandelier collection.
The shapes of paper
The spherical lantern, inspired by Japanese design, remains the most emblematic shape. Pleated paper creates regular reliefs that play with shadow and light, brown kraft paper brings a warm, natural tone, while origami and pyramidal shapes give a more graphic result. White, kraft, papier-mâché or patterned paper: each finish opens up a different decorative style.
Paper pendant lights and globes
The most famous model remains the Japanese ball, which you will find among our paper pendant lights. A globe pendant light or an origami-style paper lantern creates a soft, light atmosphere, and several models come in white or, depending on the product pages, in rice paper, in order to keep a warm light.
A designer light fixture can also take a geometric shape, inspired by the world of art, which gives it the presence of a globe chandelier in the center of the room. Some pendant lights use a paper cord to carry their structure.
Lanterns, string lights and multiple compositions
With string lights or a wall lantern that looks like a sculpture, it is possible to compose a true sky of lights. You also find pleated kraft paper, mobile shapes and multiple pendant lights, which decorate a living room as well as an office or a bedroom.
A designer pendant light finds its place near a table, in front of a tiled wall or above a stone-effect or wood floor. Multilayered compositions, or those with organic curves, turn the pendant light into a work of art.
Artistic inspirations
Some prefer a version in patterned paper, close to wallpaper, or enhanced with an effect paint, in order to match their interior decor, whose color or pattern the light fixture then picks up.
Other, more contemporary models draw on the work of artists and designers who have made paper a sculpting material, while remaining easy to live with every day.
| Shape | Look | Where to install it |
|---|---|---|
| Ball or round lantern | Even light, Zen spirit | In the center of a living room or bedroom |
| Pleated paper | Regular reliefs, play of shadow | Above a dining table |
| Origami, pyramidal shape | Graphic lines | Office or modern interior |
| Sculptural composition | Spectacular presence | Large living room with understated decor |
How to choose a paper chandelier?
Two sets of benchmarks guide the choice:
Choosing according to the room and the size
The choice depends on the room, its surface area and the ceiling height. A large globe pendant light suits a spacious living room, while a small paper lamp, simply plugged into an outlet, will be perfect on a bedside table.
The diameter is essential, because it determines the spread of the light. For indirect lighting above a bathroom cabinet, on the other hand, paper should be avoided in favor of a wall sconce designed for wet rooms, installed by a qualified electrician.
Checking the useful information before buying
To choose without making a mistake, simply consult the product page, which specifies the dimensions, the materials and the information relating to the bulb.
If in doubt, the Lustria customer service team will answer all your questions. The price is shown on each product page, which lets you compare several models before adding the right one to your cart.
Where to install a paper chandelier
In a living room, a large sculptural paper pendant light brings a soft, spectacular presence, like the airiest of our living room chandeliers. Above a dining table, a lantern or a group of lanterns creates a Zen, welcoming atmosphere. Allow, as for any dining room chandelier, 75 to 90 cm between the bottom of the shade and the tabletop.
In a bedroom, paper gives off a particularly soothing light, like the softest of our bedroom chandeliers. In a kitchen, a white paper light fixture goes well with a wall covering or a wood-effect floor, provided it stays above the dining area, away from vapors.
Paper is sensitive to humidity and heat: reserve it for dry rooms, never in a bathroom or outdoors, and keep it away from cooktops. In a bathroom, a paper lantern can only serve as a non-electric decoration. For lighting, the NF C 15-100 standard defines safety zones and requires a minimum IP44 rating, which points to our bathroom chandeliers.
A soft, sensory light
The light filtered through rice paper or white paper creates a relaxing atmosphere. Mobile shapes recall the art of folding, close to Japanese origami.
A designer pendant light softens the light and provides real visual comfort. This type of light fixture is very popular in calm spaces meant for rest.
Outdoors, paper does not withstand humidity: to complement garden lighting and recapture, in the evening, this warm, soft and natural atmosphere, choose a model designed for this use among our outdoor light fixtures, checking its IP rating on the product page.
Matching paper with your decor
White paper goes well with light wood, linen and neutral tones in a Japandi or Scandinavian spirit, that of our Scandinavian chandeliers. Kraft paper pairs with terracotta, rattan and olive green for a natural atmosphere. Sculptural shapes are best surrounded by understated decor, which lets the pendant light speak for itself.
A designer pendant light can also be combined with wood paint, floor tiles or even, in a workshop, a renovated garage door: by contrast with these raw materials, the light fixture becomes a unique decorative element.
Modern or Zen
A designer pendant light brings timeless elegance to a modern living room, in the vein of our designer chandeliers. A Japanese ball, for its part, creates a Zen style, especially when a Japanese lamp answers it at eye level.
String lights adorned with paper lanterns add poetry to an evening in the living room. In the garden, the same idea calls for string lights designed for outdoor use.
Installation, safety and care
A chandelier is connected to the electrical network: entrust the installation to a qualified electrician. These light fixtures, intended for indoors and dry rooms, call for a few simple precautions:
A simple, light installation
Installation is simple, because the light fixture is light: a paper pendant light or a globe pendant light is hung by its paper cord or from a standard hook. Even if light, a chandelier must be fixed and connected by a qualified electrician, who checks that the support can carry the weight indicated on the product page.
Always use an LED bulb, which heats up very little, and respect the maximum power indicated on the product page: the paper must never be in contact with a hot source. Kitchens and bathrooms require, for electrical protection as well as for the preservation of the material, a model designed for these rooms.
Mistakes to avoid
Never use a pressure washer or wash with large amounts of water, because paper is sensitive to water. Do not make an electric paper light fixture yourself either: the risk of fire is real.
Once the chandelier is installed, nothing prevents you from completing the decor with string lights, a paper lampion or a paper lantern. Some models feature a mobile effect or origami-style folding, which adds an artistic touch.
Care, storage and protection
Care is simple: switch off the power, let it cool down and dust gently with a feather duster or a very soft brush, without water or products. To extend the life of the paper, avoid a room that is too humid or the proximity of an electrical appliance that heats up.
If the paper gets creased, some models allow you to replace the shade alone, depending on their product page. Paper lampions and globes fold up easily, which simplifies storage and ensures better protection.
Creating or customizing your paper chandelier
A paper shade can be made from a simple tutorial: all you need is kraft paper or papier-mâché, a paper cord and a frame. Preparation is quick, a decorative wrapping lets you give it as a gift and keeping it is easy.
The rule is to stick to the decorative part: you never make or modify the electrical part yourself, lamp holder and cable included, and the paper must not touch the bulb.
A simple model can be decorated with wood paint on its wooden parts, an effect paint or wallpaper, for a unique result. This work, carried out with the light fixture powered off, extends its life when repairing the shade or when you feel like a change.
Where to buy a paper chandelier?
Lustria, the reference for online light fixtures, offers quality paper chandeliers: a paper pendant light, a globe pendant light or a lantern can be added to your cart in one click, and our attentive customer service team answers your questions.
Simple, light and decorative, the paper chandelier, protected from water and heat, fitted with an LED bulb and dusted from time to time, creates a lasting warm atmosphere in all the dry rooms of the home.
Frequently asked questions about paper chandeliers
The answers to the questions that come up most often:
Which bulb should you use in a paper chandelier?
Only a LED that heats up very little, within the power limit indicated on the product page: it uses very little energy and protects the paper, which must never touch the bulb.
Warm white, between 2700 and 3000 K, is most often chosen for a soft, comfortable atmosphere.
Is a paper chandelier suitable for a bathroom?
No, paper does not tolerate humidity well: reserve it for dry rooms. In a bathroom, the NF C 15-100 standard defines safety zones and requires a minimum IP44 rating.
Outdoors, only a model designed for outdoor use is suitable, with its IP rating shown on the product page.
Does paper give enough light?
Yes, in most cases: a white paper globe pendant light gives off a soft, even, glare-free light, enough to light an entire room when the bulb has the right power.
For a large room, a large size or several pendant lights are often preferable, possibly complemented by string lights.
How do you care for a paper chandelier?
With the power off and the light fixture cool, dust it gently with a feather duster or a dry cloth, without water, without products and without a pressure washer.
Regular dusting keeps it white. In case of a crease or a tear, some models allow you to replace just the paper part.
How do you choose the size and diameter of a paper pendant light?
The size depends mainly on the room: in a living room or dining room, a large diameter catches the eye and gives off a more generous light, whereas in a bedroom, a smaller pendant light creates a soft, welcoming atmosphere.
Also adapt it to the ceiling height, so as not to obstruct movement: a large-diameter Japanese ball in a big room, a compact model in a small one.
Rice paper, papier-mâché or cotton: which material lasts the longest?
All three last a long time if they are protected from humidity. Rice paper is light and durable, papier-mâché, thicker, offers a sculptural finish, and cotton brings a textile look, close to our fabric chandeliers.
To extend their life, install them in a dry interior, without direct contact with water.
How do you install a paper pendant light safely?
By entrusting the fixing and the connection to a qualified electrician, even if the light fixture is very light: once the lamp holder is in place, the paper shade is mounted on its frame and receives its bulb.
Choose an LED bulb, which heats up very little and preserves the material. Once installed, the pendant light floats slightly, with an airy look.
What is the difference between a paper shade, a Japanese ball and a paper lantern?
The paper shade is attached to a lamp or to a stand, as on a paper floor lamp. The Japanese ball is a round pendant light, often placed in the center of the room, and the lantern can be hung, placed on a surface or used for a festive decoration.
The ball suits a Zen atmosphere, the shade a more directed light, the lantern a poetic touch.
Is a paper pendant light suitable for a child's bedroom or a kitchen?
Yes, in both cases, with a few precautions. In a child's bedroom, its soft light and colorful models bring a playful note, as with our children's bedroom chandeliers, provided it stays out of reach of small children.
In a kitchen, it is installed away from humidity and cooking vapors.
Can you make a paper light fixture yourself?
Only its decorative part: you can make or customize a shade, but never make the electrical part, because the risk of fire is real.
A Japanese ball can be decorated with tissue paper, touches of paint or origami patterns, and papier-mâché lets you create a sculptural shade.
Can you combine several paper pendant lights?
Yes, and the effect is very elegant: several balls of different sizes make up an airy, modern decor, above a table, in a living room or in a large entryway.
Being light, they play with volumes without overloading the room. Each light point must be installed and connected by a qualified electrician.