How to Choose Dining Room Lighting?

The dining room is more than just a place to eat—it's the one place where family comes together at the end of the day. This is also a place where you can host guests and treat them to a lavish meal. Because the dining room is such a central space, it deserves to reflect the same elegance and style you’ve infused throughout your home.

However, decorating residential lighting for a space like a dining room can be tricky. Beyond the table and chairs, what else can you add to create a cohesive, inviting space? What size and color temperature of the lighting should you choose for your fixture and what height to install it at?

In this article, we will answer all these burning questions. You can take notes throughout so you can pick the best statement lighting piece for your dining area. So, let’s get started! 

What is Dining Room Lighting?

Lighting, especially statement pieces like chandeliers and hanging lamps can turn around the look of any room. In dining rooms, lighting pieces add character, set the room's mood, and transform it into a warm, welcoming space. You can choose task, ambient, and accent lighting to illuminate the dining table. Lights are also used in the dining room to highlight wall artwork. 

Choosing dining room lighting is an art. You don’t want the piece to be too small so that it's barely functional and doesn't add much to the aesthetics. You also wouldn’t want the lighting fixtures to be so grand that they take away all the attention. 

How to Choose Dining Room Lighting?

Here are some tips that will help you choose the right dining room lighting:

1. Define the Purpose

The first step to take when selecting dining room lighting is defining your purpose. Is your purpose just illuminating the space? Do you want the lighting in your dining room to be the center of attention? 

If you want the lighting to make the space look brighter, just go for layered lighting on the ceiling or recessed lighting. However, if you wish to make a style statement with a show-stopper piece chandeliers are a great pick. Lastly, if you wish to make a statement and illuminate the space, go for small pieces that can illuminate without becoming the center of attention. Pendant lights with minimalistic lines and decor can give you that look and functionality. 

2. Selecting the Right Style

Once you have an idea about the size you need to pick, you can select the right style of lighting for your dining room. This is the part of the process that is the longest since there are many things to consider. You should choose a fixture that compliments the overall look of the room. 

To help you choose, here are the styles of lighting to pick according to the different looks:

Dramatic Look

If your room has a dramatic look with thick drapes and an antique wooden table, select a piece that adds more character to your room. An oversized chandelier with crystals would be most fitting for this kind of room. Chandeliers with candle-style lights and intricate designs will also add character to your dramatic dining area.

In such a room, select bright bulbs that can illuminate the space. If you choose subtle lighting in such a room, it will look dull and will take away the character of the space. With chandeliers, you can pair LED lighting. These two together can work well to brighten up a room. 

Modern Look

If your dining room has a sleek, modern aesthetic with clean lines, minimalist furniture, and neutral tones, opt for lighting fixtures that reflect this style. Pendant lights with geometric designs or metallic finishes are some great options for you. As for the color, look for options in matte black, brushed gold, or polished chrome. Clustered pendant lights can also add a contemporary touch to your dining area while maintaining the simplicity of the design.

Layered lighting in the ceiling or recessed lighting are two other lighting options that you can add to a modern dining room area. These kinds of lighting illuminate the entire space without adding much to the room. Recessed lighting by ComiLED is a versatile pick to add to your dining area. It comes with downlight and nightlight modes that can help illuminate the space and provide low, ambient lighting when needed. 

Rustic Look

For a rustic dining room with a farmhouse table, choose lighting that feels natural or uses old-style elements. Fixtures with wooden or wrought iron elements, Edison bulbs, or lantern-style designs work wonderfully for a rustic look. A wagon wheel chandelier or a simple linear light fixture with a distressed finish can tie the room together effortlessly.

In such a dining room, natural light can take center stage and your lighting fixture can focus on setting the ambiance of the room. However, for nighttime, go for soft lighting that can illuminate the space without feeling overly bright. 

Eclectic Look

If your dining room is a mix of bold patterns, vibrant colors, and unique furniture pieces, choose lighting that makes a statement without clashing with the room’s energy. Look for quirky designs or fixtures with an unexpected pop of color. A sculptural pendant light or a fixture with multicolored glass accents can enhance the eclectic style. You can also choose three lighting pieces to hang over the dining area, equally spaced to add a layer of personality.

Classic Look

If your dining room has a classic look with elegant furniture and symmetrical layouts, choose a traditional chandelier. Consider a drum pendant with a fabric shade for a warm, classy look that ties it all together. Look for shades in neutral tones like beige, ivory, or gray. If minimalism is the theme, but you still want to add some character to the room, choose subtle patterns to add depth without overpowering the room’s decor.

If your room is already spacious and has large windows, bright white walls, and pastel accents, you can choose softer lighting. Warm-toned bulbs with a lower brightness level can enhance the airy and serene atmosphere. It also makes sure that the room looks warm, inviting, and intimate. You can also consider pairing layered lighting with a chandelier for a stylish, classic look to your dining area.

3. Selecting the Right Size

The first consideration while picking statement lighting pieces is the size. Ideally, a chandelier or a lighting piece on top of the table should be center aligned and have at least 12 inches distance from the longest sides. So, if you have a 4-ft table, the chandelier should be 2ft, installed with 1ft let from ether sides. This rule is applicable if you have a big room and you want a statement lighting piece that grabs attention. 

Another rule of thumb is to pick a piece that is one-third the length of the table. The point is to not go smaller than the 1/3rd of the table because it will make the lighting look quite odd compared to the rest of the elements in the room. 

When considering the maximum size you could go, our expert interior decorator, Grunt says, “Make sure that the lighting fixture isn’t as big or bigger than the table itself.”

4. Selecting the Right Shape

Lighting fixtures come in various shapes, round, rectangular, square, and layered. The shape of your fixture should complement your table silhouette. For instance, round tables should be paired with round lighting over the table. If you choose lighting with sharp corners over a rounded table, it will create a clashing, odd look. 

On the other hand, if you have a long, large table, a linear light like a rectangular fixture will work well. Pendant lighting works well with longer tables too and can also illuminate the entire space without making it too grand.

If you don’t want to draw attention to your dining area and illuminate the entire space, recessed lighting or layered lighting is also a great option. 

You can also add directional cans above your art pieces on the walls if you don’t have a statement, centered ceiling lighting. The directional cans work two ways - they illuminate the space and draw attention to the walls where your room’s statement pieces are hung. 

5. Selecting the Right Color Temperature

The colors of the walls, ceilings, and furnishings of your home are factors in choosing the right color temperature lighting. 

Cool colors: If your home has a pastel color palette with cool colors like white, green, black, and blue, white LED lights might be the best pick. This white color will brighten rooms with dark accents like black or blue. In rooms where the walls are white or a light color, cool-colored LED lights can make the space seem bigger. 

Natural materials: If your home is designed in a rustic style with elements like wood cabinets, hardwood flooring, and woven rugs, consider picking warm white LED lights to accentuate the space. In such spaces, bright or cool white LED lights might look too harsh on the eyes. 

Summary

Your dining room is a multifunctional space. You can use it to celebrate birthdays and occasions. You can use this space to enjoy a quiet family dinner or even entertain guests. Lighting plays a huge role in the look of your dining room. Hopefully, this guide will help you choose the right lamps to give your space the look you want.

To get high-quality lamps at the best prices, it is recommended that you choose the ComiLED lighting brand. ComiLED offers wholesale prices, allowing you to add lamps to your home in a more cost-effective way. If you have a need for a corridor or corporate panel light, it is recommended to read the article "How to Choose an LED Panel Light" to help you make a better choice.

FAQs

What Is the Rule of Thumb for Lighting Over a Dining Table?

The rule of thumb for lighting over a dining table is to hang the light fixture 30 to 36 inches above the table surface for ceilings that are about 8 feet high. If your ceiling is higher, you can add about 3 inches for every additional foot of height.

In addition, the diameter of the fixture should be roughly 1/2 to 2/3 the width of the dining table to ensure a balanced, proportional look. This keeps the fixture from feeling too large or too small on the table.

Finally, make sure the light fixture is centered over the table for a symmetrical and visually pleasing arrangement.

What Lighting Should I Choose for a Rectangular Table?

If you have a long, large table, a linear light like a rectangular fixture will work well. Pendant lighting works well with longer tables too and can also illuminate the entire space without making it too grand.

How to Choose the Right Lighting Brightness?

Choose lighting brightness based on room style: bright bulbs for dark, dramatic spaces; soft, warm lighting for bright, airy rooms. Maximize natural light during the day and use fixtures for ambiance. For versatility, install dimmers to adjust brightness—bright for lively events, medium for cozy dinners, and low for intimate moments. Tailor lighting to suit the occasion.

What Is the Right Chandelier or Pendant Installation Height?

The distance from the end of the chandelier to the table’s surface should be between 30-36 inches. This allows people to comfortably stand around the table.

Related reading: How Much Does It Cost to Install Recessed Lighting?