In the dining room, lighting does much more than just help you see your food. It acts as the room's crown jewel. A spectacular chandelier or pendant light anchors the dining table, sets the overall mood, and defines the room's style. However, hanging a fixture that is too small, too low, or too bright can completely ruin the dining experience. Here is the designer’s guide to perfecting your dining room lighting.
1. Sizing Your Statement Fixture A chandelier that is too small looks disconnected, while one that is too large will overwhelm the space and bump heads. The rule of thumb for sizing a dining room fixture is based on the width of your table. Your chandelier's diameter should be roughly one-half to two-thirds the width of your dining table. Furthermore, the fixture should be at least 12 inches narrower than the table on all sides to ensure no one bumps their head when standing up.
2. The Rules of Hanging Height The most common lighting mistake is hanging the fixture too high. A chandelier needs to feel connected to the dining table, not the ceiling. The bottom of your light fixture should hang approximately 30 to 36 inches above the surface of the dining table. If you have exceptionally high ceilings (10 feet or more), you can raise the fixture slightly, adding about 3 inches of height for every extra foot of ceiling.
3. Layering Light for the Perfect Mood Relying solely on a single chandelier creates harsh shadows on your guests' faces. For a truly professional look, you must layer the light. Add wall sconces on either side of a mirror or artwork to cast a soft, eye-level glow. If you have a sideboard or buffet in the room, place two modern table lamps on either end. This layered approach creates a warm, inviting, and highly flattering atmosphere.
4. The Non-Negotiable: Dimmers If you only take one piece of advice away, let it be this: install a dimmer switch for your dining room light. The lighting needs of a room change drastically depending on the time of day and the occasion. You need bright light for a family breakfast or working at the table, but you want a soft, low, romantic glow for a formal dinner party. A dimmer switch gives you total control over the room's ambiance.
Conclusion Set the perfect scene for every meal by upgrading your dining room lighting.