Benson - Urethane Ceiling Medallion 9 in x 4-1/8 in x 5/8 in - #CM09BN (2024)

FAQs

Should a ceiling medallion be larger than the light fixture? ›

You want the medallion to be the same size or larger than your lighting fixture for larger rooms but for a smaller room the diameter should be smaller than the light fixture. Decide on a style preference, traditional or contemporary.

“Measure the length and width of your room in feet. Multiple the length and the width, then divide by 7. This will give you the proportionate medallion size in inches. For instance… a 10‐by‐14 foot room calculation would be: 10 feet x 14 feet = 140 square feet divided by 7 = 20 inches diameter.

Since ceiling medallions have been an ornamental item for the home since the 19th century, they are not about to go away any time soon! They add architectural interest and decorative detail to the ceiling, which is sometimes overlooked, and enhance the light fixture installed below it.

Adhesive. You can use any adhesive that is rated for use with polyurethane (check the back of the label) -- we have had great success using Red Devil Construction Adhesive, LoctitePowergrab and PL Premium Polyurethane Adhesive, all of which work well and are readily available at most home improvement stores.

Ceiling medallions are generally intended for rooms with high ceilings. A good rule of thumb is that the higher the ceiling, the larger the medallion should be. So a really tall two-story ceiling will require a large medallion, unless its dimensions for length and width are small.

Sizing of the medallion should be approximately the same diameter as the chandelier to keep a balance, if you want to break the rules, and highlight the medallion, it can absolutely be done! Larger ceiling medallions give a beautiful feature to the room.

Some medallions are pre-cut, but you may want a bigger hole, depending in the size of the light fixture. Polyurethane (the material that most ceiling medallions are made of) is easy to cut. So you're in luck.

They install with screws or with an adhesive glue. Some of these resin medallions use a printed pattern and are called giclee style ceiling medallions.

It's best to paint the medallion before installing it. This allows you to fully cover all edges and surfaces. It's hard to properly paint the medallion once it's mounted on the ceiling.

What color makes ceiling look higher? ›

Paint your ceiling a color lighter than the walls, preferably white. Some believe high-gloss paint is best because it reflects light and makes the ceiling look somehow less fixed and static, while others say a matte finish will help the ceiling to blend in more.

Medallions are factory primed and ready to paint. Use a high quality Acrylic latex or Oil based paint. Use the fixture's canopy to lightly trace the diameter of the canopy on the face of the medallion. The purpose of the hole is to allow enough access to the Junction box in the ceiling.

You should coordinate colors of the ceiling medallions and other decorative architectural embellishments with the overall color theme of the room. If ceiling medallions are used in traditional decor, the details can be highlighted in a tone down paint, creating a subtle tone-on-tone effect.

The Lighting Fixture

The light fixture will be the main focal point in the room, so the ceiling medallion must match it. You can choose a ceiling medallion larger or smaller than the lighting, but room size is still important. Smaller rooms will not typically have larger light fixtures.

As a general rule of thumb, the circumference of the ceiling medallion should not be equal to the size of the light fixture. Instead, it should either be wider or narrower than the chandelier or the fan.

Sizing of the medallion should be approximately the same diameter as the chandelier to keep a balance, if you want to break the rules, and highlight the medallion, it can absolutely be done! Larger ceiling medallions give a beautiful feature to the room.

Pendants above an island or table. Measure the width or diameter of the surface and then subtract 12 from that number. That's the maximum limit for the width or diameter of a hanging light in inches.