The dining room is that special place where we come together to celebrate and connect. Ambience is key. Create classical lighting wherein the lighting fixture is a centrepiece itself. This is not just a matter of placing an elaborate light above the dining room table. Elegance looks simple but it requires refined selection of key features perfectly integrated to make balance and harmony in the furniture, decor and lighting, finishes and colours. All this goes into creating that ambient dining room we dream of enjoying.

Below are some dining room lighting ideas and tips to get you started when decorating your dinging room and choosing lighting options and layout.

Layout and position

The first thing to consider is where you will place different types of lights including main light above table, wall lights, ambient lighting, recessed lighting or lamps. Start to build a plan and map out the lighting layout. Do you have a feature wall, art or side board where it is conducive to start positioning the layout of your dining room lighting? Noting that ambience require multiples lighting options around the room where dark corners are lit and brought to life in subtle ways.

Finishes and tones

Next think of the material of your dining room furniture. Is in white, oak, timber, black? what are the colours of art work frames or curtain upholstery? this will help you decide the finishes of your lighting. Our lighting range has multiple finishes to choose from like brass, aged silver, bronze, black, crystal and more. Avoid choosing a light with a finish that s just too dark or bold for the overall room. best to get furniture, upholstery and lighting integrated then subtle draw out feature focal points around the room.

The dining table centre light 

As the centre of the dining room is the dining table, it makes sense to pick a dining room light that ties in with your dining table. For example, if your dining table is a round table in antique white, a more curved flowing painted finish chandelier could be suitable. If, however, the dining table is rectangular or square with a timber finish. you can go for more angular and linear style lights like pendants or kitchen lanterns. The dining table is the centrepiece so it should be the brightest point in the room, but avoid making you top light too bright as this can detract from the romantic feel the dining room should have.

Low level of light

The dining room light is about creating a low level of light in order to create atmosphere. Installing a dimmer is helpful to create the perfect ambience and mood for a dinner party. Rather than rely on one light source above the dining table, illuminate the room from various points with some decorative wall scones. This helps gives you more freedom when choosing the right level of illumination for different social occasions and also creates a more romantic look throughout the room. You can also use some small decorative table lamps on top of a side server to add to the layered lighting within the room.

Pendant lighting

There are some amazing modern pendant designs that can actually inspire dining room lighting ideas in and of themselves. Sometimes you may find the light then co-ordinate the decor and furniture around it as a centrepiece. However, many a time, we have existing furniture and we’re trying to add in the light. A pendant light or two smaller pendants above the dining table can bring a strong decorative and dramatic element to your room. The lights above the dining table can drop lower than usual as this is not an area you will be walking under. The dining room is a great space to have a bit of fun; it’s about creating a sparkle through lighting and an adornment to the room. It’s a piece you can choose to embellish the room that is both functional but beautiful.

Chandelier Lighting 

Nothing says style like a chandelier. But when choosing a chandelier be mindful there are so many options and often less is more. Choose a finish that ties in with the timber or upholstery in the room and look at the shapes in the design of the chandelier, do they compliment the shapes in your existing dining room furniture. For example if you have a timber dining table and simple wrought iron chandelier may work nicely. whereas if your have a white Hampton’s style table, crystal or a silver champagne finish might go well.

Wall sconces and side lamps 

Most people forget about creating a variety of light sources around the dining room. This is key to creating ambience and atmosphere. Wall sconces or wall lights come in both contemporary and classical styles. They are the perfect wall light to add feature light around the room, plus wall lights also tend to be quite beautiful decoratively in and of themselves. Another option is placing beautiful decorative lamps atop a sideboard or side server. this also allows you to have light resonating from different heights around the room.

Cast Light, shadows and Up and Down light. 

Always remember to think about the different ways in which light fixture shades will cast their light. Will the light flood the wall creating elegant arches of light or will it be focused downward atop a sideboard where ornaments are positioned for example. Is there a painting that need focused light, is there a corner that is dull, removing shades from a chandelier cant create for focus on the light bulb or adding shades can soften the glow. Think about this interplay of light, and the creating decorative feature out of the light and shadows themselves.

Final dining room lighting ideas and points 

As your can see there are endless ideas for dining room lighting, but start with what you have in front of you. The furniture you have, the art you have and build from there. Don’t be afraid to be bold with lighting and making it the centre piece of the room.