How to Choose Dining Room Lighting That Will Make Your Dinner Parties Shine
Have you ever walked into your dining room and thought, “Ugh… the lighting here is awful”? We have, too. It’s not uncommon. The right lighting can make all the difference—it can set the mood for a dinner party or brighten up a space that’s been a little neglected. But how do you choose? Well, fear not: We’ve got some tips on how to get it right.
How to Choose Dining Room Lighting That Will Make Your Dinner Parties Shine
Choose A Lighting Fixture That Is The Right Size For Your Dining Room
Before you choose a lighting fixture, make sure it’s the right size for your dining room. A table’s size is the first consideration. You may want to use a light with a smaller size if you have a small dining room with a small table. If you have an oversized table or want more than one overhead light in your dining room, consider using chandeliers or pendant lights instead.
Chandeliers and pendant lights are also great options for bigger rooms because they provide ambient and task lighting under them (your guests will be able to see what they’re eating off of). This is another reason these products are so popular—they can increase the visual appeal of any space while also making it easier for customers sitting around a large table where there might not be enough space between them all at once!
Choose a lighting fixture that is the right size for your dining room
The Right Light Fixture Will Complement And Enhance The Dining Room’s Table And Chairs
The right size fixture will complement and enhance the dining room’s table and chairs. The appropriate fixture will not only be proportional to the table’s size but also the space — both in terms of overall dimensions and scale.
- For example, if your dining room has a large rectangular table that seats six people comfortably, you’ll want to select a light fixture with enough wattage for those 6-watt bulbs (60 watts).
- If you have an intimate round table for two, don’t select a chandelier with 48 bulbs that are designed for filling an entire room with light; instead, opt for something smaller and more subdued, like 1-2 dozen lights arranged in clusters around each side of your little bistro table.
- When choosing between ceiling fixtures or wall sconces/pendants: The former can deliver more lighting power than their floor-mounted counterparts since they’re suspended higher up above eye level; however, they also take up valuable real estate on top of being visually overwhelming in smaller spaces where tables are close together (like at restaurants).
Think About Height
When choosing dining room lighting, think about the height of your dining table. The ceiling height should also be considered; if it’s very low and you want to install a light fixture that hangs down, that may be an issue. You’ll need to make sure it won’t hit anyone in their heads when they get up from dinner.
The height of the chairs people sit on can also affect where you put your lights; if your chair has arms, for example, there’s no point in putting a light at eye level because it will just shine into those arms and create glare on whatever’s below them (like a good book). It might be better to put one above or below your head level instead so that it doesn’t shine directly into anyone’s eyes while eating dinner with family and friends!
Consider Where The Fixture Hangs In Relation To The Table
When you’re hanging a light fixture, remember a few things. First, think about how high you want it hung. If the light is too low, it will cast shadows on your table and make it difficult to see what’s on your plate. If it’s too high, people may bump their heads when they sit down or get up from the table.
Second, consider where the fixture hangs in relation to the table. It should be within 60 inches of where people’s eyes will be when they’re seated at that end of the room (closer than 30 inches for smaller rooms). It shouldn’t hang directly over the table either; instead, try aiming for an angle that looks 30 degrees off-center when viewed from above (or use a laser level!).
Third, don’t forget about ambient lighting! This can come from recessed lights mounted above-framed mirrors or paintings; under-cabinet lighting installed along baseboards nearby; sconces that flank doors leading into dens and bedrooms; or even lamps placed atop side tables that flank couches or chairs near windows.
The Best Is No More Than 5 Feet Between The Dining Table And The Light
There are many ways to get the wrong idea about how far away your dining room light should be from the table, and there’s only one right way: no more than 5 feet, and it’s that simple.
Here are some other things you might think are true but aren’t:
- The further away your light is from the table, the better. Nope!
- The closer you can get your light to be on top of the table without actually touching it and giving everyone nightmares about burning their hands on molten glass, hot marble floors, or whatever else is underneath, the better. Oh boy, am I glad we got through this one so quickly!
- If you can make it look like a spotlight is coming down from above onto food that would otherwise have been eaten in darkness…well…I guess we’re not going to talk about that one yet either because it still doesn’t matter how bright your dining room gets if nobody wants any dinner because they’re all too busy staring at how bright everything else is now (and then later when they eventually do eat something after all this madness has passed).
Look Into The Type Of Lighting You Need
Next, it’s time to consider the type of lighting you need for your dining room. The right fixture will complement and enhance the appearance of your table and chairs, so make sure to choose one that’s the right size for the space. It should hang at an appropriate height to your dining table—if it’s too low (or too high), it will look odd or out of place.
Above Your Table
Place the fixture above your dining room table to provide task and ambient light. The lights should extend from one edge of the ceiling to another and be relatively parallel at about a 45-degree angle. If you have an L-shaped or U-shaped table, place fixtures on either side so that everyone seated at the table can see them while they eat their meals.
If you have a small dining room, it is typically better to choose only one prominent light fixture over your table rather than two smaller ones to keep things balanced and avoid creating an overly cluttered look in this space. This can also help prevent glare on your walls if they are too close to where your eyes are focused when eating meals at night time – making sure there’s enough distance between where people sit and what’s being lit up (i.e., around 30 inches).
Pendants
Pendants are suitable for smaller spaces, as they can be hung over a table or above the sink in a bathroom. They’re also suitable for the task, ambient, and romantic lighting. Decorative pendants work well in an industrial space that needs some flair. Mood pendants help set the mood for many uses: romantic dinners, date nights at home, and more.
Pendant lights are generally smaller than other fixtures because it’s easier to create multiple light sources than one large one. They usually have several bulbs that shine upward from the center of a metal frame or cage-like structure called a shade (or canopy).
Chandeliers
- Chandeliers are the most formal and grandest option. They’re best suited for large dining rooms, where they can be combined with sconces and pendants to create a cohesive look that’s both traditional and timeless. Because of their size, chandeliers are also good at filling up a room—a good thing if you have an open-concept space that needs extra light.
- Chandeliers can be expensive, but they’re a good investment that can last generations if taken care of properly. A well-designed chandelier will not only provide illumination without sacrificing style but also add value to your home when you decide to sell it later on down the road!
Flush Mounts
Flush mounts are great for small spaces. With this lighting option, there’s no need to worry about tall ceilings or large rooms. Flush mounts are ideal for cozy, intimate dining areas that don’t need much light. They’re also a good choice if you want to use them in conjunction with other types of lighting; they won’t take up too much room on the wall, so you can easily fit in some other fixtures too!
Flush mount lights are helpful for smaller rooms and spaces.
Flush mounts provide much more light output per wattage than pendants or chandeliers do, so if you have an area that doesn’t need bright lighting (like an office), these fixtures will be perfect! They’ll leave plenty of room on your wall so that other types of ambient illumination can be placed around them (like track lighting) without overcrowding your space—making this style versatile enough to work in many different areas throughout the house.
Select A Shade
Now that you’ve selected your fixture and base, it’s time to choose a shade. To do this, keep the following tips in mind:
- The size of your bulb should match the size of your shade. The proportions may look off when paired with a standard-size shade if you have an unusually large or small bulb.
- The size of your room should determine how large a shade you get. For example, if you’re decorating a small living room or bedroom with standard furniture and no other significant elements in it (a couch, coffee table), then go for something smaller than what would be ideal for more formal areas like dining rooms or foyers because they’re usually larger spaces and will benefit from more light spread over a larger area via larger fixtures like chandeliers or pendant lights rather than lamps that cast shadows on smaller surfaces such as desks or side tables due to their limited height range (or even lampshades).
Linen
Linen shades are made from linen, cotton, or silk and are generally more opaque than other fabrics, so they keep out more light in your room. Linen shades can also be a bit more expensive than other fabric types because of their high quality, and the fabric tends to be thicker and softer than other fabrics like cotton or polyester.
Note that linen is available in many different colors! You can find white linen drapes that will go with any decorating style you want to use in your dining room—or you can go bold by choosing something with more color in it if the rest of your home has lots of neutral colors throughout it.
Clear Glass
The most common choice for a dining room is clear glass, allowing you to see the food and drink in front of you while keeping the room light and airy. If your table has a lot of embellishments or patterns, consider using a frosted glass bulb instead of clear ones.
Opal Glass
Opal glass is a milky white glass with a hint of color. It is trendy for many lighting fixtures and is often used to create a soft, warm glow. It’s so versatile and can be used in dining room lighting fixtures!
When shopping for opal glass for your dining room lights, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- What kind of light do you want? If you’re building an intimate space where friends and family gather over meals and conversation, then opal shades are perfect as they cast warm light while allowing plenty of illumination to fill the table area. However, if your space has high ceilings, consider using clear or frosted glass instead–these types offer better brightness without sacrificing warmth or charm like frosted would provide (though keep in mind that this won’t work well if what’s above isn’t white).
Metal
Metal is the perfect material for dining room lighting, and it’s durable and easy to clean so that it can be used as a ceiling light or wall light. Metal has a sleek look that will add modern style to your space, but it also comes in classic finishes like brass and copper, so it will seamlessly blend with your existing decor.
Ceiling Light Measurements
- Diameter: The diameter of a dining room light fixture is determined by its height (or width) and length. The size of your ceiling will determine what types of light fixtures you can use, so if you have an 8-foot-high ceiling, then it’s likely that you’ll be able to choose from a more comprehensive selection than someone with a low ceiling.
- Length: This refers to how far away your dining room lighting fixture hangs from your table. For example, an 8-foot-long dining table should have at least one fixture that is at least 6 feet in length so that it doesn’t look dwarfed by the size of its lighting fixtures.
- Height: How high above the table do you want your chandelier or pendant lights? A good rule of thumb is at least 24 inches above the top surface area where people would generally sit during dinner parties or other gatherings where food might be served on top of tables made from wood surfaces such as pine planks or hardwood floors with tile borders around them like marble tiles found inside bathrooms or kitchens designed by interior designers.
Ceiling Light Measurements
Diameter
The size of the fixture will affect how your table is illuminated and how much light spills onto the surrounding surfaces. A general rule of thumb is that the diameter of a light fixture should be no more than 2-3 times the width of your table. If you have a tall or long dining room table, consider lowering this ratio to avoid making it look dwarfed by an overly large fixture.
Another way to gauge whether your chosen fixture will be too big for your space is by making sure that it doesn’t overpower other elements in the room: if you’re using multiple fixtures above your dining area, make sure they don’t overlap or block any windows or doorways from view.
Length
The first thing to determine is how long you want your dining room lighting. The simplest way to calculate this is by multiplying the length of your table by three, then adding an extra four feet for each additional person sitting at the table. For example: If you have a 12-foot-long table and plan on serving eight people at a time, you’ll need at least 48 feet of lighting (12 x 3 + 4 = 48).
If this seems like too much overhead light for your tastes, remember that these measurements are only guidelines; they’re not set in stone. If you prefer minimalism over maximum illumination, consider moving some lights around so they shine more focused beams rather than diffused floodlights across your space.
Around Your Table
The perfect combination of table lamps and wall sconces will highlight your dining room decor. The proper lighting brings out the best in your table setting and can make all the difference in creating a warm and inviting space that you’ll want to use year-round. Here are some tips for choosing just the right combination of dining room lighting:
- For example, if you’re placing the table lamps on a shelf or mantle above your dining room table, keep them approximately at eye level when seated at the table.
- Finally, choose sconce height based on where it will be placed along the wall—the higher it is, the longer its length must be (or vice versa).
Wall Sconces
Wall sconces are a great way to add lighting and design to a room. These small wall-mounted lamps typically hang above a table or chair and can be used in any room of your house.
Wall sconces are available in a wide range of styles and colors. Some have ornate designs, while others are more simplistic. You can even find wall sconces that resemble lanterns or candles, which create an elegant look when combined with other furniture pieces like wooden tables and chairs.
Table Lamps
The table lamp is a great way to add light to a room. They’re more flexible than pendants or chandeliers and can be used in many different rooms. Table lamps are more flexible than hanging pendants or chandeliers, so they’re ideal for smaller spaces. They also work well in rooms with tall ceilings where hanging lights would block views of the room’s architecture.
If you want to accentuate your dining room’s decor, choose a table lamp that complements your furniture and other decorative elements in the space, such as artwork or wall color scheme. For example, use weathered wood finishes with dark-stained furniture; brighten up dark tones with white or cream shades, or add pops of color with vibrant hues like reds and blues.
Accent Light Measurements
Measurements are the key to success with accent lighting. Accent lighting is meant to add a focal point or highlight an object in your dining room. When choosing the right amount of accent lighting for your space, you must consider where you would like this focus to be placed. An accent light that is too small can leave an area looking dark and uninteresting, while one that is too large will take away from other elements in the room.
Sconce Height
The height of the sconces should be no more than 1/3 of the distance from the floor to a table’s center. If you want to use one light fixture, place it at eye level (measured by drawing an imaginary line between your eyes).
Furniture Size
A large dining table is excellent for parties and gatherings, but if you’re going to be using your dining room table for meals with just a few people, a smaller one will work better. The size of your dining room should also be considered when choosing a table because it can help dictate the overall look and feel of the space. If you have more than enough space in your dining room, go big! For example, if you have an open floor plan or live in an open-concept house with other rooms connected to this area (like an island kitchen), a large rectangular table will help unify the different areas visually. If there’s not much space between doors or windows and walls where there are no window treatments hung up on them yet, then perhaps consider opting for something on wheels so that it doesn’t stick out awkwardly against those walls or glass panes while still being able to move around quickly enough when needed without getting stuck anywhere due to its weight/size constraints.
Conclusion
So what does all this mean for you? It’s pretty simple. If your dining room is small, then choose a light fixture that is small as well. If it’s large, go for something more expansive and dramatic. Consider the room’s overall size before deciding what type of lighting will work best there.
