Mid Century Sputnik Flush Chandelier

The sputnik chandelier is one of the great mid century shapes: a central hub with arms reaching out in every direction, each tipped with a bare bulb. The trouble is that the classic version hangs low, and in a hallway or a bedroom with a standard ceiling it is permanently in the way. The Mid Century Sputnik Flush Chandelier keeps the shape and loses the problem. It mounts semi flush, close to the ceiling, so you get the starburst without giving up any headroom.

That clever rethink is what makes it such a good modern chandelier. It brings a bold, recognizable design to rooms that could never take a hanging sputnik, and it lets you choose the bulbs that set its mood.

What makes the sputnik flush chandelier stand out

The low profile comes first. The six head version is 21.25 inches wide but only 5.12 inches high, measured without bulbs, on a ceiling canopy 4.72 inches across and 0.79 inches deep. It sits tight to the ceiling, so it suits hallways, landings and bedrooms where a pendant would be at head height.

The arm choice is the second strength. Arms come in two, four or six. The two head version is small enough for a tight landing, which is rare in this style, while the six head version, with arms extending 12.59 inches, makes a strong centerpiece in a bedroom or a living room.

The bulbs are the third. It takes E27 bulbs, which are not included, so you decide how warm and how bright it is rather than living with a built in LED. Because the arms are open, the bulbs are part of the look, so globe bulbs, clear bulbs or frosted bulbs each give the fixture a different character.

Where it looks best, room by room

• Hallways. The sputnik shape without anything to duck under.
• Landings. The two head version fits a tight space at the top of the stairs.
• Bedrooms. A bold ceiling light that stays clear of a tall wardrobe door.
• Living rooms. The six head version as a mid century centerpiece.
• Home offices. A graphic light that keeps the ceiling feeling high.

Plain black gives a crisp, graphic starburst that suits modern and industrial rooms. Black with gold colored arm tips adds a little warmth and a nod to the original mid century look, and it pairs well with walnut, brass and leather.

Choosing the arm count and placement

The six head version measures 21.25 inches wide and 5.12 inches high without bulbs, and the two head and four head versions are narrower.

• Choose two heads for a tight landing, a small hall or a walk in closet.
• Choose four heads for a standard hallway or a smaller bedroom.
• Choose six heads for a larger bedroom or a living room.
• Center it in the space, since the arms reach out evenly in every direction.

Remember that the bulbs add to the size. With bulbs fitted, the fixture sits a little lower and reaches a little wider than the frame measurements, so allow for the bulbs you choose when you check the headroom.

It wires into a ceiling point, so turn the power off at the breaker and have an electrician make the connection. The ceiling plate, the mounting hardware and the instructions come in the box.

Layering it with other lighting

A sputnik with bare bulbs gives a lively, sparkling light, so balance it with softer sources. A table lamp in a bedroom, or a floor lamp in a living room, adds a warm, shaded glow at eye level for the evening.

For other ceiling pieces with a strong shape, browse the modern chandeliers collection. For a close to ceiling light with a quieter look in the next room, the semi flush mount lights collection has pieces that sit well alongside it.

Bulb choice is where you can tune the fixture. Warm, lower wattage bulbs make a hallway feel welcoming at night, while brighter bulbs suit a room that needs real working light. Buy the right number for the arms you chose, and keep them all the same so the starburst glows evenly.

The sputnik shape also looks different from each angle. From below it reads as a burst of light; from the doorway it reads as a graphic ring of arms. Center it where it can be seen from the main approach, such as the top of the stairs or the bedroom door, to make the most of the shape.

For care, switch off at the wall before cleaning. Wipe the frame with a soft, dry cloth, dry the metal right away if it gets damp, and avoid abrasive cleaners, which will mark the powder coating. Screen settings can cause slight color variations between the photos and the fixture you receive.

Is the sputnik flush chandelier right for your space?

It is a strong fit if you:

• Love the sputnik shape but have a standard or low ceiling.
• Need a bold light for a hallway, landing or bedroom.
• Want to choose your own bulbs for warmth and brightness.
• Can have it wired to a ceiling point by an electrician.

It may not be the right choice if you want a fully enclosed, glare free light, since the bulbs are on show, or a hanging chandelier for a tall stairwell, where a low profile fixture would look too small.

All required hardware and assembly instructions are included. Shipping is free across the US, and most orders arrive in 6 to 9 business days. Buy 2 or more items and save 10%. Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days, and questions are answered at info@norafurnish.com.