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12 Ways Perfect Illumination Can Make a Dining Room Light Up
Even the most inviting dining room remains unfinished until the lights are added. Here's how to get dining light right
There are various factors to consider when selecting a light fixture above a dining table. The first dilemma is choosing the style, be it a pendant, chandelier, downlights or even a candelabra. Then while there are tricks to getting the shade at the right height, the size, colour and material need to work with the other elements in the space. Overall, the light fixture should complement, not overpower, your table. Here are a few bright ideas…
2. Smooth continuity
Here, the round 600 x 430mm pendant by Australian designer Kate Stokes illuminates the table superbly. Now move on to the next element – the materials. Note that above the pendant’s off-white powder-coated aluminium is a sliver of Victorian ash timber – a natural continuity of the timber furniture. So simple but oh-so effective!
Pendant light: Coco Pendant, Coco Flip
Here, the round 600 x 430mm pendant by Australian designer Kate Stokes illuminates the table superbly. Now move on to the next element – the materials. Note that above the pendant’s off-white powder-coated aluminium is a sliver of Victorian ash timber – a natural continuity of the timber furniture. So simple but oh-so effective!
Pendant light: Coco Pendant, Coco Flip
3. Modern chandelier
The sparkle of a large crystal chandelier makes for an elegant focal point. While this fixture makes a dramatic statement, other elements follow the lead – Philippe Starck dining chairs have a transparent form, while the dining table utilises a glass top, continuing the weightless, see-through look.
Dining chair: Philippe Starck ‘Louis Ghost’
The sparkle of a large crystal chandelier makes for an elegant focal point. While this fixture makes a dramatic statement, other elements follow the lead – Philippe Starck dining chairs have a transparent form, while the dining table utilises a glass top, continuing the weightless, see-through look.
Dining chair: Philippe Starck ‘Louis Ghost’
4. Rule of three
To make a room cohesive, follow the golden ‘rule of three’. Here, the industrial-style pendant lights complement the three dining chairs on both sides of the table. Meanwhile, three bar stools are positioned behind the dining suite. While this creates rhythm in a room, a few surprises never go astray. The decorative planters include two matching and one odd item – after all, there’s no point in being predictable!
Dining chair: Eames Moulded Plastic Side Chair – Dowel Leg (DSW)
To make a room cohesive, follow the golden ‘rule of three’. Here, the industrial-style pendant lights complement the three dining chairs on both sides of the table. Meanwhile, three bar stools are positioned behind the dining suite. While this creates rhythm in a room, a few surprises never go astray. The decorative planters include two matching and one odd item – after all, there’s no point in being predictable!
Dining chair: Eames Moulded Plastic Side Chair – Dowel Leg (DSW)
5. Downlight subtlety
Following the minimalistic style of this interior, less is more – and that also counts when it comes to the lighting in this home. Here, a series of downlights are almost unnoticeable, but each bulb is angled precisely to make sure the ambient illumination is evenly distributed.
Following the minimalistic style of this interior, less is more – and that also counts when it comes to the lighting in this home. Here, a series of downlights are almost unnoticeable, but each bulb is angled precisely to make sure the ambient illumination is evenly distributed.
6. Right height
Confused about the correct height for a pendant light above a dining table? The standard height is about 76 centimetres, but if you prefer a more gentle, intimate mood, drop the cord a little. It’s worth testing the height when sitting around the table (so that the fixture itself or the light shone doesn’t intrude), so make sure you have a patient electrician.
Pendant light: Louis Poulson PH 4/3
Confused about the correct height for a pendant light above a dining table? The standard height is about 76 centimetres, but if you prefer a more gentle, intimate mood, drop the cord a little. It’s worth testing the height when sitting around the table (so that the fixture itself or the light shone doesn’t intrude), so make sure you have a patient electrician.
Pendant light: Louis Poulson PH 4/3
7. Standing light on show
A nod to the classic ’60s standing light adds originality to the dining space. The only difficulty is that since the room has a large table, another lighting source – perhaps downlights – may be required to illuminate the other end.
A nod to the classic ’60s standing light adds originality to the dining space. The only difficulty is that since the room has a large table, another lighting source – perhaps downlights – may be required to illuminate the other end.
8. Elegant candelabra
Ambience is key when designing a dining zone, and a shapely candelabra provides soft, gentle illumination. It also evokes old-world charm, even in a contemporary space. The bonus of a candelabra is that it works as a decorative element as well as provides a gentle glow. Also, when large dinner parties take place, it’s easy to move it to a nearby table.
Ambience is key when designing a dining zone, and a shapely candelabra provides soft, gentle illumination. It also evokes old-world charm, even in a contemporary space. The bonus of a candelabra is that it works as a decorative element as well as provides a gentle glow. Also, when large dinner parties take place, it’s easy to move it to a nearby table.
9. Shape dilemma
Who can resist this stunning asymmetric dining table? The only difficulty was choosing suitable lighting fixtures. Here, the trick was to hang different-size pendants of the same type to get the right balance. These lights by Bertjan Pot for Dutch brand Moooi come in two different diameters – 71cm (large) and 54cm (small). Now that’s clever thinking!
Pendant lights: Non Random, Moooi
Who can resist this stunning asymmetric dining table? The only difficulty was choosing suitable lighting fixtures. Here, the trick was to hang different-size pendants of the same type to get the right balance. These lights by Bertjan Pot for Dutch brand Moooi come in two different diameters – 71cm (large) and 54cm (small). Now that’s clever thinking!
Pendant lights: Non Random, Moooi
10. Artistic merit
A light fixture offers more than just illumination – it also boasts artistic merit, as seen in this pendant by German designer Ingo Maurer, first released in 1997. Wrapping around the light source is a selection of sheets of Japanese paper, all attached to thin wires via clips. While some of the sheets are printed with whimsical messages, others are blank – a chance for the owners to add their own thoughts and ideas.
Pendant light: ‘Zettel’z 5’, Ingo Maurer
A light fixture offers more than just illumination – it also boasts artistic merit, as seen in this pendant by German designer Ingo Maurer, first released in 1997. Wrapping around the light source is a selection of sheets of Japanese paper, all attached to thin wires via clips. While some of the sheets are printed with whimsical messages, others are blank – a chance for the owners to add their own thoughts and ideas.
Pendant light: ‘Zettel’z 5’, Ingo Maurer
11. Big and beautiful
When it comes to the strict interior design rules for lighting, the diameter of the pendant should be around half the width of your dining table. But this designer tossed out the rules with this hard-to-miss fixture. While the size adds real impact, the jet-black surface complements other elements in the zone. There’s no doubt about it – a little bit of drama never goes astray!
Pendant light: ‘Skygarden’ by Marcel Wanders
When it comes to the strict interior design rules for lighting, the diameter of the pendant should be around half the width of your dining table. But this designer tossed out the rules with this hard-to-miss fixture. While the size adds real impact, the jet-black surface complements other elements in the zone. There’s no doubt about it – a little bit of drama never goes astray!
Pendant light: ‘Skygarden’ by Marcel Wanders
12. Raw material
Dining in the outdoor room has become a popular pastime, and stylish lighting is just as important as the furniture itself. A good trick is mimicking outside materials, such as timber and bamboo. Here, the raw, textural pendant – often referred to as the ‘hedgehog’ or ‘twig’ light – utilises a muted natural palette that brings warmth and simplicity to the inviting space.
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Dining in the outdoor room has become a popular pastime, and stylish lighting is just as important as the furniture itself. A good trick is mimicking outside materials, such as timber and bamboo. Here, the raw, textural pendant – often referred to as the ‘hedgehog’ or ‘twig’ light – utilises a muted natural palette that brings warmth and simplicity to the inviting space.
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More: Vaulted Ceilings: Are They Right for Your Next Home