A dining room is a multipurpose space. People use it for paying bills, doing homework and even an ad hoc work office if need be. The point is that it is not just a space for eating or throwing dinner parties. This being the case, choosing lighting can be just as much a functional choice as a style and design decision. We have put together a helpful guide for what you should consider in order to make full use of such a central room in your home.
Table of Contents
- Chandeliers for Dining Rooms
- Pendants for Dining Rooms
- Ceiling Lighting for Dining Rooms
- Wall Lighting for Dining Rooms
- Ceiling Fans for Dining Rooms
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What are The Basics?
Outside of the functions reasoning there are several important factors you want to consider when it comes to choosing lighting for your dining room. First and foremost you want to decide what type of lighting you want to use. For example, are you looking to do a chandelier or a pendant? Are you looking for simplicity with a ceiling fixture or something a bit different with a wall mounted lighting fixture? Outside of these more macro considerations you also want to think about design aspects like color coordination and even the type of furniture you have in the room.
How Large is Your Dining Room?
While there are some industry “standards” that can be considered, many home designers feel you can to some extent throw out the rulebook when it comes to dining room lighting. The generally held standard when selecting the size of your dining room fixture is to go one-third of the length of a rectangular or oval table. Another standard some use is to add the length and width of your room together and convert it into inches. That is to say for a 10x14 room you should require at least a 24-inch-wide light fixture.
Smaller dining rooms
Not every dining room is large enough for ten settings and epix dinner parties. Space is a premium in many homes these days but that does not mean you cannot add your own design flair to the most important room in the house. Here are a few dining room lighting options that are perfect for dining rooms that are less so dining rooms, than dining nooks.
Just because your dining room is smaller that does not mean you cannot make a big design statement. There are many choices available just like every style of lighting. You don’t need to limit yourself creatively even though you are limited by space. Go all out with some great flush mount fixtures like the one below.
How Do You Use Your Dining Room?
Is your dining room a multipurpose room? For many people the dining room is used for both casual family get-togethers and elegant dinner parties, along with paying the monthly bills, doing homework or having important conversations. These are the things you want to consider along with the size of your dining room. Do you want your lighting to make a dinner party statement or would you like your dining room fixtures to be more functional? Like most you are probably looking for something somewhere in the middle.
Do You Throw a Lot of Dinner Parties?
If you are the type of person that just can’t wait for your next dinner party then you want to be sure your dining room lighting really makes a style statement. You want to be sure you have the right color match for your table and chairs while matching their particular design as well. You could consider playing with scale and having an oversized dining room light fixture
Or you could consider combining older antique lighting with a modern table set up. Whatever you do, just make sure it matches your personality. We would suggest either a nice chandelier or pendant to really show off your personal aesthetic. Either way just make sure your next dinner party is the talk of the town.
What are some add-ons to consider?
Dimmers - A dimmer switch can be a nice choice to include if you are really looking for the right ambience. If you love a good dinner party this can really set the mood. Plus a good dimmer can allow you to set low light and reduce glare when you have to do a lot of work allowing you to avoid eye strain. You may just enjoy low light altogether and this is perfectly fine. Whatever the reason, just keep in mind not all lights support dimmers.
Smart Controls - Now, more than ever, the dining room is so functional and central to many homes you might want to utilize a ceiling fan as your lighting choice. This can help to keep a comfortable temperature in the dining room by both heating and cooling this space.
Best Chandeliers for Dining Rooms
Chandeliers will always create a great design focal point and allow complete control over your color temperature. You have so many style options and sizes for chandeliers so take advantage of this and really go to town. Just keep in mind the size and aesthetic of your dining room. No matter what just make sure you make a big statement and really show off your flair. If not then why even do a chandelier?
Feiss F3136/8DWK/SGM Angelo Chandelier
The Angelo Chandelier by Feiss is influenced by both a rustic and industrial design. It is a fitting dining room light fixture within many design decors. This lighting fixture celebrates imperfection with its rugged look. The area is 16.5" Height (73.75" Max) x 16" Width x 46" Length so it is not the largest chandelier we offer but it does fit right in with many designs. The Angelo chandelier also offers dimmable options and is UL listed for damp locations so it is quite functional in most every space.
Best Pendants for Dining Rooms
Pendants are similar to chandeliers in certain design aspects but they offer some extra advantages in functionality. That is to say a pendant may come in sizes as large as a chandelier but also small enough where you can combine several together. This provides some great design choices for example If you want to play with multiple light fixtures, layering pendant lights can be an imaginative option. You can mix and match slightly different styles together and create a whole new design that works on multiple levels.
ET2 E22000-10, Frost Pendant
Illumination on ice best describes the ET2 Frost Pendant. This fixture has exquisitely designed clear/white glass cylinders, accented by polished chrome ring spacers. It is also a perfect example of a pendant that could be easily combined with other pendant styles creating a winter wonderland and overall cooler color temperature for your dining area. The dimensions are 15" Height x 5.5" Width so this dining room light has a subtler area that lends itself well to being combined with other pendants.
Best Ceiling Lighting for Dining Rooms
Just because your dining room is smaller that does not mean you cannot make a big design statement. There are many choices available just like every style of lighting. You don’t need to limit yourself creatively even though you are limited by space. Go all out with some great flush mount fixtures like the one below. 
Capital 225021MS Beaufort Flush Mount
Meet the flush-mount fixture with a creative coastal flair! The Beaufort 2-light ceiling fixture features a frame finished in Mystic Sand enveloping a Clear Water glass shade that creates a warm oceanic color temperature. This fixture is exactly what you need if you want to display your style in a smaller space. With a total area of 7" Height x 13" Width you could even combine a few together.
Best Wall Lighting for Dining Rooms
Wall sconces are similar to ceiling fixtures in that they work well in dining nooks as they tend to be smaller in size. However a wall sconce or two can work great in tandem with a pendant or chandelier, helping to create an all encompassing style for your dining room lighting. If you do have a limitation on dining room space, then by all means a couple wall sconces will do the trick and there are many styles and designs to choose from. If you are looking to create a multifaceted dining room lighting design then including wall sconces as part of your setup is a great idea.
Maxim 26033SWSBRBK Vesper Wall Sconce
For many the dining room is the most important/most used room in the house. Whether it be an area where you throw huge dinner parties or one just big enough for a bench and table the lighting you choose can say alot about what you value in decor. Take this as an opportunity to really shine. Treat the most important room in the house with some style.
Best Ceiling Fans for Dining Rooms
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