Dining room lighting should light the table first, without dazzling your guests. Choose a pendant or chandelier by height and size, then add wall lights.
Above the table: height and size
Hang the bottom of the light 70 to 80 cm above the tabletop: high enough for everyone to see each other across the table, low enough to light the plates. Choose a diameter between half and two-thirds of the table's width, so 50 to 67 cm for a table 1 m wide.
- Round or square table: a single pendant or chandelier, centred over the top.
- Rectangular or oval table: two or three pendants in a line, spaced 60 to 80 cm apart, or a multi-light design spread along the length.
- Extending table: centre the light over the position you use most often, or choose a height-adjustable design.
Our dining room pendant lights and dining room chandeliers show the designs that suit each type of table.
Lighting the rest of the room
The table isn't enough on its own: a sideboard, a display cabinet or a drinks corner each needs its own light. Wall lights fitted 1.60-1.80 m from the floor frame a sideboard or a mirror. A dining room ceiling light provides general lighting while you lay or clear the table. Aim for warm white at 3,000 K for every source, with a dimmer for the table.
Dining room lighting: styles and materials
Modern and classic designs make up most of the selection, followed by rustic and country, vintage and retro, industrial and Art Deco styles. Metal (gold-tone brass, chrome, black, bronze) and glass lead the way; crystal, denser than glass, throws more sparkle across a dinner table, while wood, fabric and stone suit a farmhouse table. Match the light's finish to the legs of the table or chairs. Our guide on how to light a dining room has more advice.
Frequently asked questions about dining room lighting
What colour temperature is best for dining?
Warm white at 3,000 K flatters food and faces without looking dull. Keep the same colour temperature for the pendant, wall lights and ceiling light to avoid patches of different-coloured light. A CRI of at least 80 and a dimmer take you from a bright lunch to a softly lit dinner.
Chandelier or pendant over the table?
A chandelier, with several lights and often classic or crystal, suits a formal dining table and a room with a high ceiling. A pendant is more graphic and works singly or as several in a line over a long table. Either way, keep 70 to 80 cm above the tabletop and a diameter of half to two-thirds of its width.
How do I light a dining area that opens onto the living room?
Treat it as a zone of its own: a pendant centred over the table, on its own switch, defines the dining space. On the living room side, keep to lower sources, such as a floor lamp and table lamps, in warm white at 2,700 K. For a coherent look, repeat the same finish, brass or black for example, in both zones.
What if the ceiling rose isn't centred over the table?
Add a second hook to the ceiling above the centre of the table and loop the pendant's cable across from the rose: the light moves over without any building work. Check that the cable is long enough. If the offset is large, have an electrician move the ceiling rose.
