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Best dining room light


27 Dining Room Lighting Ideas for Every Style

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Lacey Ramburger

Lacey Ramburger

Lacey Ramburger is a personality expert specializing in Zodiac, Myers-Briggs, and the Enneagram.

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Deirdre Sullivan

Deirdre Sullivan

Deirdre Sullivan is an interior design expert and features writer who specializes in home improvement as well as design. She began her career as an assistant editor at Elle magazine and has more than a decade of experience. Deirdre contributes content for brands including The Spruce and Realtor.com, and has been a featured speaker at various conferences.

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Updated on 06/27/22

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

When it comes to enjoying meals at home with family or friends, the dining room is a special place for making memories. So, of course, you want to rev up your space with beautiful lighting. But do you choose the perfect light fixture?

Several things may impact a decision from the shape and size of your table to the number of lumens or watts you may need to set the right mood, especially if your space is a multi-use spot for various activities like crafting or homework. To help you illuminate things, we gathered our favorite tips and ideas for dining room lighting.

Home Lighting Ideas for Any Room

26 Dining Room Light Fixture Ideas You'll Want to Copy

Mindy Gayer

When decorating our dining rooms, many of us focus on the big-ticket items like tables and chairs. But, these aren’t the only must-haves worth considering. Dining room light fixtures are just as necessary and can make a significant difference in your space—adding contrast, cohesion, or even a pop of show-stopping drama.

So, don’t just stick with the dining room light fixtures you’ve inherited. Instead, spend some time thinking about what your space needs, and snag a fixture or a combination of fixtures that delivers it. To help you get started, we’ve rounded up 26 stunning dining rooms and light fixture ideas worth stealing from each of them.

01 of 26

Blue Copper Design

If you’re not sure which dining room light fixture to choose, start by taking a look at what you already have. Is the room filled with color-coordinated accent pieces? If so, consider picking a matching fixture. Echoing that accent color along your ceiling can be a quick and easy way to bring your space together.

02 of 26

Bespoke Only

Whenever you’re shopping for light fixtures, size is always a consideration. But remember that there’s no perfect ratio to shoot for. In fact, playing with scale—pairing an enormous fixture with a sleek dining room table—can be a fun way to add drama to your space.

03 of 26

Rikki Snyder

No one said you had to stick to just one chandelier. So, if you want to bring more light into your space, consider hanging two chandeliers, instead. You can mount the fixtures symmetrically over your table so that each illuminates one pair of chairs. This should make sure you have plenty of well-balanced light, and it should keep your space feeling cleanly designed, too.

04 of 26

Sarah Fultz Interiors

Add contrast to your dining room by pairing a sleek fixture with older furniture. You can exaggerate this contrast by pairing an obviously contemporary fixture with very ornate antique furniture. And you can use modern-yet-sophisticated accents—like sprawling abstract paintings—to add harmony to the striking combination.

05 of 26

Bespoke Only

Ceiling-mounted lighting is a popular choice. But, if your dining room table is tucked away in a corner, you may be able to use wall-mounted lighting, instead. Mount a row of sconces that span the length of your dining room table. Just make sure they jut out enough to offer you the light that you need.

06 of 26

Ashley Montgomery Design

The shape of your light fixture isn’t the only thing worth considering. Its color and texture can have a big impact too, especially if they complement other pieces in your space. Take a look at the colors and textures you’re already working with, and consider choosing a light fixture that echoes them. An off-white woven chandelier may be the perfect pick for a dining room filled with off-white throws and a woven rug.

07 of 26

Becca Interiors

If you want to play with multiple light fixtures, layering pendant lights can be a great option. And remember, those pendant lights don’t have to match. By combining three pendant lights that look similar but just a little different, you can craft a space that feels dynamic but harmonious.

08 of 26

Proem Studio

One easy way to DIY your own light fixture? Stock up on a few extra-long industrial lights, and drape them over hooks. This is a popular choice in industrial design, but you can make it work in just about any décor scheme. The hooks will allow you to customize the size and shape of your fixture, giving you a chandelier that’s unique to your space.

09 of 26

Becca Interiors

A glam chandelier may seem out of place in a rustic dining room, but it may be just the thing you need to bring your space together. Remember that lighting can add either contrast or cohesion, so consider which one your space needs, and snag an option that delivers it.

10 of 26

Calimia Home

White is a pretty rare choice for a pendant lampshade, and off-white is an even rarer one. But, the warm neutral can make a surprisingly striking addition to your space. Off-white is a decidedly subtle color, but it’s still bold enough to make an impact.

11 of 26

Calimia Home

If your dining room is filled with natural light, you may not need a massive fixture. Instead, you might be best served by a small, targeted spotlight that adds a touch of visual interest to your space. An arc lamp could do the trick, or you could spring for a long-arm sconce that extends off the wall to hover over your table.

12 of 26

Becca Interiors

Beaded lampshades aren’t the kind of thing you see every day. But, they can make a playful addition to your dining room, bringing texture, surprise, and fun in equal measure.

13 of 26

Tyler Karu

If you want a chandelier that no one else has, consider crafting your own. Stock up on a few classic globe lights, then, cluster them together using a heat-safe rope.

14 of 26

Sarah Fultz Interiors

Matching your chandelier to your chairs may seem like a strange choice. But, it’s one of the most effective ways to bring your dining room together. After all, the room boasts three focal points: the table, the chairs, and the lighting fixture. And since the chairs and the lighting fixture are the farthest apart, they’ll offer the most cohesion when color- or texture-coordinated.

15 of 26

Studio Peake

So you’ve snagged a rustic dining room table—what now? If the rest of your space is rustic, you can pair it with a matching light fixture. But, if the room is in need of a little contrast, go all-in on sleek lighting, instead. A pair of crisp white pendant lights should offer the counterpoint you need, and you can always use art to bring the space together.

16 of 26

Mary Patton Design

Remember that classic chandeliers aren’t the only options on offer. Bold contemporary fixtures abound—and they can make a statement in any space. So, if you fall in love with a sculptural option, snag it. Then, balance out its impact by pairing it with pieces that echo its color, shape, and texture.

17 of 26

Cathie Hong Interiors

You’re not limited to just one light fixture. By hanging several globe lights in a cluster, you can mimic the look of a chandelier without splurging on one massive showstopper.

18 of 26

Design: Mindy Gayer, Photo: Lane Dittoe

Large chandeliers may only seem at home in massive spaces. But in smaller ones, they can make a huge statement—pun very much intended. Consider hanging a lamp that’s as big as your dining room table, or at least as wide as your dining room table. You’ll end up with plenty of light and an obvious statement-maker.

19 of 26

Proem Studio

Hanging more than one light can feel like a maximalist approach. But, you can keep your space feeling clean and orderly by hanging a few matching pendant lights in a single row. Combined, these lamps will maximize the light in your space without creating visual clutter.

20 of 26

Reena Sotropa

Consider choosing a light fixture that echoes the shapes in your space. If your dining room table is round and your chairs are lined with straight rods, pick a light fixture that bridges the gap between them. A chandelier adorned with metal rods and round bulbs may be exactly what you need to bring your space together.

21 of 26

Katie Martinez Design

Some light fixtures are so sculptural that they look like works of art. These pieces may be tough to decorate with, especially compared to some of the classic options out there. But, if you focus on finding one that adds much-needed contrast or cohesion to your space, you shouldn’t have much trouble pulling it off.

22 of 26

Tyler Karu

If you’ve been blessed with high ceilings, consider drawing attention to that strength by hanging a surprisingly small chandelier. This should draw the eye upward, leaving the room feeling even more spacious than it already does.

23 of 26

Mindy Gayer

Who said you had to stop at one chandelier? If you’ve found a bunch of chandeliers you love, consider hanging them all and organizing them in a cluster or a row. To keep things feeling tidy, you can choose chandeliers that look similar, and you can even match them to the color of your ceiling.

24 of 26

Ashley Montgomery Design

A statement-making chandelier can be a daunting thing to decorate with, but push yourself to take the risk. If you’ve fallen in love with a beautiful fixture, consider giving it a try in your space. An ornate antique may add the touch of contrast you didn’t realize your space needed.

25 of 26

Julian Porcino

Open-concept spaces are all the rage these days, and if you’re navigating one, be sure to zoom out during your design process. Don’t just look at your dining room—look at your dining room and everything around it. By choosing a chandelier that mimics the fixtures in your kitchen, you can keep your home feeling cohesive while creating a visual designation between the two rooms.

26 of 26

Ashley Montgomery Design

Many of us finish off a room with crown molding or some other kind of trim. But, we tend to skip out on ceiling medallions, which are basically crown molding for our light fixtures. Show your lights the love you show the rest of your home and adorn them with a little ornate trim. Ceiling medallions make particularly great additions to contemporary fixtures, where they can add some welcome contrast.

The First 5 Things You Should Buy When Decorating Your Dining Room

Lighting in the kitchen and in the kitchen-living room: lighting design rules - INMYROOM

Tips

What lighting scenarios should be in the room, what color temperature affects, why LED lamps are better than conventional ones - everything you need to know about lighting planning in the kitchen

The biggest mistake you can make when decorating a kitchen is to have only one light source. We tell you why you can’t do this, and give 6 practical tips for organizing lighting.

General advice on lighting design

1. Plan the location of the fixtures in advance: it's too late in the midst of repairs. The most optimal thing is to decide on the number and location of fixtures when you have outlined the main functional areas.

2. Sockets, switches, lights, wires Install at least 60 centimeters from sinks and water lines.

3. Use more than one light source. Be sure to provide lighting for the work surface. If there is a dining area, the ideal option is a lamp above the dining group or a sconce for softer lighting. Decorative light and lighting of wall cabinets will be useful.

4. Adjust the space with lighting. Does the room have architectural flaws? To adjust the geometry of a narrow kitchen, place fixtures along one wall. Lamps located along the middle line of the ceiling, on the contrary, visually "stretch" the room.

Wall sconces with upward light will visually lift a low ceiling. But for a very high ceiling, pick up a massive chandelier.

5. Adjust the color temperature of the light. Modern LED luminaires provide light in a variety of colors and shades. Keep in mind that it is better to cook with as much natural light as possible - choose a cooler shade of lamps for the work area. But the appetite is promoted by warm and soft light.

6. Don't forget about savings. Use LED lamps: they reduce energy consumption by up to 90% and their service life is up to 15 years. And dimmers will help to achieve the desired level of illumination and reduce energy costs.

Kitchen Lighting Tips + Infographics

1. Place recessed ceiling spots at least 30-40 cm apart. From the corner of the wall to the lighting fixture, you must leave at least 20 cm. Experts recommend installing a lamp of 20 W per 1 square meter of ceiling. Draw a diagram of the location of the fixtures in advance and indicate the distance to the walls.

2. Spotlights built into the top cornice of kitchen cabinets or built into the bottom panel are essential for comfortable work. If there are open shelves on the wall instead of cabinets, use pendant lights. The optimal distance between the lower edge of the ceiling and the tabletop is 70-87 cm.

3. Hanging lamps with a long cord should not hang too low - it is easy to hit them with your head. If there is one ceiling lamp above the round table, the lower edge of the lamp should be in the range of 70–90 cm above the tabletop. The optimal diameter of the chandelier is about half the width of the table.

Above a long rectangular table, hang several lamps - stand back from the edges of the table 30 cm and place them at an equal distance from each other.

4. Group of pendant lamps - just what you need to illuminate the kitchen island. The distance between the lower part of the lamp and the tabletop is at least 65–70 cm: the light from hanging lamps should not hit your eyes.

Keep in mind that the distance between the lamps in the kitchen above the table should not be less than 30-40 cm.

If you have a kitchen-living room: 4 lighting rules

1. The main thing is functional zoning. Lights can literally turn different zones on and off. A central chandelier in the living area and spotlights in the kitchen are a great option. Do not forget also about the seating area: if you want to read in an armchair, a floor lamp with directional light will come in handy.

2. Hanging lamps above the bar counter - delicately zone the space. When the kitchen light is off, they will create a more intimate space in the living room - nothing will distract you from relaxing.

3. A must-have is a beautiful chandelier above the dining table. It will create the right mood: a solemn atmosphere when receiving guests or a romantic one for a dinner for two. Pay attention to the lamps, the height of which can be changed with one movement of the hand - this is convenient.

4. Decorative light: table lamps, sconces, floor lamp are responsible for a relaxed atmosphere and emphasize the decor. It is easy to highlight paintings, vases, dishes with the help of directional light fixtures: use built-in, wall, ceiling models.

Lighting trends: what the pros say

Are standard lamps boring and you want something more interesting? Lighting designer Polina Gubonina talks about current trends in lighting.

POLINA GUBONINA

LIGHTING DESIGNER

Leading lighting designer at Philips Lighting in Russia, a graduate of Moscow State Technical University im. Bauman.

1. To highlight the dining table, you can use not only a pendant lamp, but also a floor lamp installed next to it on a curved tripod, a table lamp with a diffusing shade or an accent spotlight mounted on the wall.

2. Use the LED strip to illuminate the glass table for contour lighting - the self-luminous effect is guaranteed. Position the tape inside cabinets with glass fronts for luminous stained-glass windows that create the effect of additional windows.

3. Place the LED strip inside shelves, under cabinets or along walls: all these ideas can be realized with minimal effort and without building dust.

Top 10 Living Room Lighting Tips - INMYROOM

The living room in each house performs several functions. It can receive guests, watch TV, chat, read. This is the main reason why lighting is important in this room. multifunctional. Also important is the correct location of the switches and each outlet.

Main lighting

In most cases, general lighting in the living room is used when the main part The premises is a place for guests. This requires a chandelier, single-lamp hanging lamps and plafonds.

According to the size of the room, it is important to choose ceiling lamp. At the same time, the interior and your taste are taken into account. Main attention when placing must be paid to the geometric center of the ceiling. IN in some cases, the lamp is installed directly above the table for eating.

Chandeliers in the style of classics. They are very diverse due to the advent of technical innovations. TO for example, some of them have mounts for the ceiling to change light direction.

Local

To make it easier to highlight some interior details and perform light zoning, apply local lighting in the living room. There are no more lamps for ceiling. The recreation area should be equipped with local lighting. After all, here most often they read books, communicate in the family circle and spend evenings. For maximum comfort, it is necessary to choose a good local lighting. To in the seating area was nice to sit in, needed a floor lamp, table lamp or sconce.

Soft and subdued light is best directed towards the place where the TV is. If the room has a fireplace, then it is better to use sophisticated table lamps. Also suitable are lamps made of bronze material and having the shape of a candlestick.

Spot

To make a painting, an original figurine and others art objects did not go unnoticed using spot lighting in the living room, which will emphasize their beauty. Also, spotlight can play the role of additional lighting.

One of the varieties of spot lighting the appliance is spot on. Its design can accommodate either one or several lamps. They provide rotation in a given direction, and this allows you to favorably emphasize one of the fragments of the interior.

A variety of directional light fixtures. They can perfectly illuminate objects and those places where space is limited.

Intelligent

lead to some inconvenience. After all, they are difficult to manage. This problem solved with smart lighting systems.

This system makes it easier to control everything lighting fixtures at the same time. To do this, use the control panel, which can be wall-mounted or purchased portable.

Such "smart" lighting has the function of reacting to the appearance of a person. At the same time, immediately the light is on. In addition, you can set the required brightness. 4 minutes after being turned on, this appliance will turn off by itself if there is no movement.

Zoning Basics

When developing a living room project, they allocate certain zones. Basically, you need to pay special attention to the dining a table, chairs, a resting place where a sofa and a TV are placed.

Areas worth paying attention to can be be more, it all depends on your preference. And just in order to highlight or darken, use general, local and decorative lighting.

Engineering

Care must be taken to ensure that place wall lights. To do this, pay attention to the following recommendations:

1. TV. This can ruin the visibility of the screen due to unwanted glare from lamp.

2. Room proportions, ceiling height and the design of the sconce should affect the height of the luminaire. Dimensions should vary from 1. 2 to 1.6 m.

3. If you have a classic interior, then luminaires must be placed symmetrically.

For determining the hanging height of the ceiling lamp, you need to know the height of the ceiling. Here are some tips:

1. If the ceiling is low or the lamp located in a passageway, then the height of the lamp should be 2.1 m and higher.

2. If necessary, hang the lamp over the table for food or a table for reading, then it is allowed to lower the lamp a little lower.

For those who plans the lighting of the living room, then special attention must be paid to the degree of illumination, which should be in area 200 lux. You can see the lighting options in the living room, photos of which are presented below.

Design tips

Before starting design and design, to achieve the best effect and result, without errors - use practical recommendations from professionals in this sphere.

No. 1

Decided to choose a light source with an original design? It is important to remember the sense of proportion. Indeed, in this case, it is worth avoiding the use of other spectacular elements - it will not be beautiful.

№2

If the walls in the living room are pastel and the furniture is made in light colors, then the room will be bright even without additional lamps. But here it will not do without the original floor lamp.

№3

Different types of living room lighting will help to ozonize the room. To do this, use decorative lighting and spotlights. It is better to hang an original chandelier in the dining area.

No. 4

If you want to do it in the living room minimalist style, then a round metal lamp will help with this.

№5

If the living room is spacious and has a lot of glossy surfaces, it is better to hang one large chandelier, which is worth place in the center of the room.

No. 6

If the room is small, you can apply three types of light. So, you can divide a small room into three parts: dining room, living room and hallway.

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