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Best dining room lights


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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and

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

Top 10 dining room lighting ideas • inTrends

Lighting is the lifeblood of design.

Gregory Kay

Lighting in the dining room can recreate a special atmosphere of harmony and comfort. For this purpose, you only need to focus a targeted functional light stream over the table. With a similar task, both modern recessed lamps and a traditional chandelier can easily cope. Otherwise, complement the space with diffused light that gently fills the entire room. And accent light will help emphasize a certain element, such as a work of art or furniture.

Ideally, a dining room lighting plan should include all three of these options: directional, ambient and accent lighting. Check out great examples of each in our collection of the best lighting ideas for your dining room.

  1. Ceiling Light Ideas

Ceiling luminaires are luminaires mounted in or directly on the ceiling. From recessed lamps to flush-mounted luminaires, each of these options provides light without attracting too much attention. Recessed lights are one of the simplest types of dining room lighting and work well when you want to concentrate the light in a specific area of ​​the room.

Many ceiling light options are quite simple, such as the standard plain glass dome preferred by many home builders. However, other flush-mounted designs are quite elaborate, with decorative metal or crystal accents. A concealed luminaire is ideal for a small dining room or a room with low ceilings.

Semi-surface mounted ceiling lights suspended from the ceiling, but only a few centimeters. They allow you to create a unique combination of direct downward light and upward directed diffused light.

  1. Ideas with chandeliers in the dining room

A chandelier is a decorative pendant luminaire with branches containing several light bulbs or luminaires. Chandelier options have evolved far from the classic design with its upturned branches adorned with dozens of dangling crystals. Contemporary dining room chandeliers come in a dizzying array of shapes, sizes and styles – many of which are completely devoid of crystals.

Modern, industrial, farmhouse and rustic design elements are displayed today in the appearance of chandeliers. Instead of the traditional rounded canopies, the new chandeliers come in square, rectangular, star or triangular shapes. These multi-bulb fixtures may have simple square glass shades around each bulb attached to bronze or black metal brackets.

Chandeliers in the dining room often feature beaded garlands consisting of metal or glass beads or textile fringes. A modern chandelier may simply have light bulbs arranged on reflective metal panels in a circle or square shape. If you like a bohemian or eclectic style, make a simple chandelier yourself by winding pendant lights or light bulbs around a wooden branch and hanging it from a string over your dining table.

  1. Ideas with pendant lights

Suspension luminaires or shades are attached to the ceiling with a cable, metal rod, leg, chain or wire. They are ideal for providing direct light to a dining table, breakfast bar or kitchen island. Some people prefer one large pendant light, while others prefer a group of miniature pendant lights. If you prefer softer lighting, choose models with a lampshade or diffuser.

Pendant luminaires are sometimes referred to as teardrop luminaires or simply pendant luminaires. They come in a variety of styles, including:

For a creative DIY project, turn different types of glassware into pendant lights. Wine bottles, liquor bottles, and other recycled bottles are good candidates for a do-it-yourself project.

  1. Dining room lights

Walk into any service center or lighting store and you'll be overwhelmed by the variety of dining room lighting options. There are models to suit every style of home decor, from traditional to modern and everything in between. Popular dining room lighting trends include oversized single pendant lights, bare Edison lamp clusters, and linear pendant lights.

If you have a small dining room, choose the size of the lamp. Choose a pendant lamp or chandelier with an open, airy design—perhaps with a wicker basket shade or a simple metal chandelier. Sophisticated lighting in a dining room is best seen above a large dining table that will help support the visual load.

  1. Luxurious Lighting Ideas

If you have an open budget for luxurious dining room lighting, crystal chandeliers are a proven option. And while a classic lamp studded with crystal beads works well in some homes, your high-end dining room may require a custom touch. Elegant lighting fixtures are often the only option that turns a boring dining room into a showroom.

Rectangular glass panels, long icicle accents and multicolored crystals are what you'll find in designer pieces. If your dining room is particularly large, hang two identical chandeliers above the dining table - they will make an impression. Once you've chosen the right direct light sources, look for lamps, sconces, and other diffused light options with similar design elements.

  1. Modern Lighting Ideas

Contemporary dining room lighting is essential to maintaining a modern aesthetic in a modern home. Symmetry, simplicity and balance - all this is embodied in modern design. Bold lines, primary colors, warm woods and sleek metal finishes are elements often found in modern homes. Lamps with such elements go well with modern decor.

Refer to the space age 1950s and 1960s to appreciate one of the most popular modern dining room lighting fixtures: the Sputnik chandelier. Named after the first satellite to enter Earth's orbit, these chandeliers have multiple arms protruding from a central globe.

There is usually a light bulb at the end of each bracket, sometimes with a colored shade or glass ball. Simple track lights are another type of light fixture that looks good above a modern dining table.

  1. Rustic Lighting Ideas

Like modern interiors, rustic décor demonstrates a love of simplicity. However, he speaks in a more natural, relaxed voice. White or beige walls serve as a clean backdrop for the presentation of a variety of warm finishes in wood, stone or brick facades, simple metal elements. Rustic dining room lighting options reflect the same organic materials.

Because rustic décor is so casual, it doesn't matter if your room's lighting elements come from different places. There is no need to strive for symmetry or for everything to match. A vintage-style wrought-iron chandelier can be paired with a ceramic lamp with a canvas shade. If you can trace the atmosphere of a country house in your interior, choose a chandelier made from natural wood branches.

For authentic rustic, farmhouse or antique chic, consider using finds from economy stores or antique shops.

  1. Ideas with table center lighting

When considering your dining room lighting options, don't lose sight of the countertop. Candles are an obvious choice for creating diffused lighting in the center of a table. Whether they stand alone in an ornate candelabra or spread across a long table, candles give off a warm glow unlike any other light source.

If you're worried about the safety of real flames, there are countless types of battery-operated "candles" on the market today. Many of them have flames that flicker like real originals and can be difficult to distinguish from the real ones. Battery powered lamps and string lights are other light-producing items that can be incorporated into the centerpiece of your dining table.

  1. Ideas with traditional lighting

Is there anything more traditional than a crystal chandelier? These ubiquitous chandeliers look so good over classic dining chairs and tables that they might seem like the only right choice in a home with a traditional interior. However, a stained glass light fixture is another great option for traditional room lighting that also brings a splash of color.

Pendant lamps, inspired by antique chandeliers with candles, also go well with traditional interiors. If you want to spruce up a traditional yet simple lamp, add strands of clear glass beads or pearls. Tassels on metal chains or cords also work well for decorating traditional lights.

  1. Wall Light Ideas

Wall sconces are an often overlooked dining room lighting option. They are ideal for illuminating the dark corners of a room and give it a warm and inviting touch. Wall lighting is an important element to consider when planning your dining room lighting scheme.

If you only need sconces for lighting, opt for simple designs that blend in with the rest of your décor. But do not forget that beautiful wall lamps add a lot of cozy atmosphere even during the daytime. Note that you may need to hire an electrician to install wall lights if you don't want the electrical cords to be visible.

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

Tips 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

The most optimal thing is to decide on the number and location of fixtures when you have outlined the main functional areas.

2. Install outlets, switches, lights, wires at least 60 cm 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 to visually elevate a low ceiling. But for a very high ceiling, pick up a massive chandelier.

5. Adjust the color temperature of the lighting. 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 shade and the table top 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. A group of pendant lights is 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: the pro's point of view

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.

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