Dining Room Lighting Ideas + Tips

The dining room is the go-to space in the modern home for a range of activities, whether an intimate meal with family members, a game night with friends, or any task that requires a large surface area. Often accessible through multiple rooms of the home, such as the kitchen, living room, or even the backyard, the dining room can be a high-trafficked space that needs a lighting arrangement that reflects the busy nature of the room while complementing the more intimate moments as well. The right light fixtures are the perfect opportunity to create the ideal mood.

Start with the Centerpiece

Choose a light fixture that relates to the dining room table, not the room itself—in terms of size, shape and style. Round fixtures like chandeliers are an easy match for round tables, and a linear fixture goes well over a rectangular or extension table.

Layer the Light

A decorative chandelier in the dining room generally offers a low level of light output—they’re about setting the mood and drawing the eye to the center of a room. For a more functional style of lighting, add layers of light with recessed lights and wall sconces. If a bright amount of light is needed in the dining room, look to an LED chandelier.

Add Accent Lighting with Table Lamps and Wall Sconces

Accent lighting creates a cozy glow and nicely lights the edges of the room. It creates an intimate, convivial atmosphere even when sitting at a formal table for dinner. Wall sconces are, hands down, my favorite kind of lighting. They are great to look at and can frame beautiful art and add detail to a room discreetly. I like to use them adjacent to a dining table to add a soft, dimmable light.

Multiply the Focus

Add visual drama to your dining room with a series of pendant lamps in compatible styles. Choose pendants with similar color tones or shapes, then layer them in at different heights to create a striking centerpiece.

Create an Atmosphere

For a darker, moodier tone in your dining room lighting, consider a dual-function light fixture. Look for one that provides soft, diffused ambient light with enough glow that the room is functionally lit, but also enough direct down light so that the table is illuminated for eating.

Subtle Design, High Impact

Pendant lighting with deconstructed, architectural designs is a great way to add personality and character without being over the top. Subtle cutouts or unusual woodwork provide detail and complexity while softly filtering the light.

Modern dining room lighting is supremely versatile, with solutions for every situation. From contemporary to restoration styles, LED linear suspensions to traditional crystal chandeliers—dining room lighting serves up purpose and style with every beautifully illuminated meal.