Leonard Williamson
Join our newsletter Name: Your Email Address Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Thank you for signing up to Realhomes. Pendant lights are the main choice for a dining room, but there are plenty of different designs – from trendy bare bulbs, swag ceiling lights and enamel shades to clear glass and rattan shade designs. Layering lighting is key for a successful finish, especially when you're highlighting the best dining room ideas for your household and any guests to admire. It's easy to transform a dark dining room into a stylish, well lit space. If you've never thought about opting for two or three light fixtures above, think again as this can actually highlight your dining room table decor. We love this globe light, it has a cool retro feel and as a result, it won’t date.
Let it take center stage above your table, and the beauty of this kind of design is that the monochromatic element means it will work in any color scheme you choose. We’ve seen a resurgence recently of clear glass pendants and it’s easy to see why, they’re stunning to look at and work in both classic and contemporary settings.
The simplicity of this round design makes it a beautiful choice, it can hang on its own above your dining table and we love the touch of brass that adds warmth.
You don’t need multiple designs, one will do, as long as you have the width that can spread the light evenly across the table.
We tend to think chandeliers can only be used as living room lighting or in the bedroom, but this fabulous white design looks great above this circular dining table. Pendant lighting works best in this space, hanging them over the dining table creates a low-level and intimate glow, perfect for entertaining,’ explains Natalie Mann, new product development coordinator for Iconic Lights (opens in new tab).
Tactile elements add a new dimension to a scheme and a shade like this looks great with rattan chairs and a coir rug. Width is also important and you can see that this design is ideal in size with this round table, it’s about getting the proportions right so it looks balanced visually.
If you love the ‘clashing patterns’ look then don’t opt for plain shades, go for full on designs like these – complete with fringing! To make it work from a style point of view match a few key colors, here, the red, green and orange match the wallpaper and the white background ties in with the dresser and white painted floorboards.
‘Opt for an oversized pendant - or two - in a striking material or color to make a design statement that elevates your existing decorating scheme,’ says Mann. ‘Dining rooms are a great area in which to add a statement design such as a cluster pendant, low hanging bar or generously sized chandelier.
To ensure it’s a comfortable setting, don’t forget to consider the height of the light you’re using, choose a position that’s not at eye level when seated. You can also use table lamps to help add ambience and draw attention to artwork or other accessories.
Complement this with a low hanging bar pendant over a dining area that can be fitted to a dimmer to produce the perfect lighting for entertaining.’ ‘This can be accomplished by the use of directional down-lights or spot tasks with swivel joints within the prep and cooking areas and oversized statement pendants with dimmers over the table or island to add drama and atmosphere.
Bar pendants offer a direct stream of light to provide a welcoming feel for guests and a focal point. The electric blue walls and woodwork are the perfect background for these uber bright chairs and accessories.
‘At Pooky we’re all about introducing brave pops of color to give your favourite rooms an added sense of energy and playfulness. In a dining room, a great statement-making light source, one which really commands a space is a chandelier.
Whether a traditional design or more simplistic silhouette, you can choose different shades and finishes for some of our chandeliers to create something characterful and bright, allowing your personality to shine. On a functional level, these are ideal for a dining space, as they allow for an even spill of light to illuminate the faces of your fellow diners. Hang centred, hovering over the dining table for best results,’ says Rohan Blacker, founder of Pooky (opens in new tab). ‘This home was our own take on a modern farmhouse, we mixed vintage pieces with new and created a homey feel with leather and wood accents.
We wanted the lighting to be dramatic so we hung wall lights that extended over the dining table from the wall that created a unique look from any angle,’ says Lindye Galloway, founder and chief creative office at Lindye Galloway Studio (opens in new tab). We tend to think that dining room lighting needs to be standout and statement making, but it can be subtle and stylish.
Hang a pair above your dining table and look out for other textures like these grey vases, tactile runner and wooden bowls. Dried flowers are a big trend this season so use them to add another textural layer to this fabulous rustic dining room decor look. We love the simplicity of these IKEA pendant lights in (opens in new tab) dark red. This green metal ceiling light is certainly one for lovers of modern styling as it adds a splash of color to this simple dining room scheme.
Choosing a clear glass pendant will help to create the illusion of space, as you can see through the shade. This Gloucester linear bar from UK Next (opens in new tab) has three gorgeous glass shaded pendants with chrome detailing – their design ensures they will suit both trad and modern schemes.
This one is made from opal glass it gives a diffused light and the rich gold fitting adds a glamorous feel – it looks stunning against the navy walls.
