Dining Room Lighting
Dining Room Lighting
Updating your dining room can be an exciting, yet stressful process. After all, the dining room is one of the centerpieces of your home, and you want to get it just right.
One of the key components of setting your dining room design up for success is getting the lighting down just right. In order to do that, you need to think both in terms of design and aesthetics as well as getting a sufficient amount of light for all the tasks you’re trying to accomplish. That’s where M&M Lighting can help.
If you’re looking for top-tier lighting design in Houston — as well as a whole host of industry-leading lighting products — M&M Lighting is your go-to source. With over 50 years of experience, we can help you create the dining room of your dreams.
Our lighting showroom features thousands of in-stock decorative and functional lighting fixtures that will really make your dining room sparkle. From a stunning array of chandeliers and pendant light fixtures to wall lights and multi-system lighting, we have everything you need to turn your dining room into a beautiful, functional space where you’ll love to entertain your guests.
Schedule an appointment with one of our lighting design experts today
LIGHTING BASICS
No guide to dining room lighting would be complete without going over the basics of ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. Understanding these three types of lighting is key to creating a beautiful lighting strategy for any room.
Ambient Lighting
Ambient lighting is another way to describe the general lighting of the room. Making the best of your ambient lighting strategy requires you to consider what the room looks like with and without natural lighting.
In terms of ambient lighting, you’ll likely use different types of ceiling lights to accomplish the goals you have in mind. Pendants, chandeliers, and flush mounts (all of which we’ll go over below) are great options for this particular type of lighting.
Task Lighting
Task lighting has to do with focused illumination, designed to help you accomplish specific tasks or to bolster the lighting in certain areas that your ambient lighting source can’t reach as effectively.
Undercabinet lighting or table lamps are a great way to have your dining room task lighting needs covered.
Accent Lighting
You can think of accent lighting as primarily having a decorative purpose. You can use accent lighting to highlight artwork, a china cabinet filled with beautiful dishes, or even interior design details in your dining room.
Some of the most-effective ways to do accent lighting are by using track-mounted spotlights, well-placed wall sconces, and inner cabinet lighting.
FUNCTIONAL AND BEAUTIFUL LIGHTING FOR YOUR DINING ROOM
For the most part, gone are the days of large, austere dining rooms with a large amount of empty space. Today’s dining room is about getting the most from the space for everyday use.
However, there are certain things that haven’t changed. When it comes to dining rooms, the table — and the light that hangs over it — is still the star of the show. That means if there’s anywhere you want to focus in terms of lighting, it’s there.
Chandeliers
When most people think of chandeliers, they think of elaborate Victorian-era crystal chandeliers. And while those are a great way to create a beautiful classic look for your dining room, they aren’t the only option. Thanks to the sheer amount of modern chandelier designs, you can find something that perfectly matches your decor and personal taste.
In terms of measurements, you’ll want to find a chandelier that’s about half the length — no more than two thirds — in diameter of the table it hangs over. This guideline can be applied to both wider chandeliers that hang over longer tables as well as drum-shade fixtures that go over round tables.
Pendants
Pendant lighting is a great modern lighting solution to use above your dining surface. This is especially the case if you have a larger, more open floor plan.
Another popular way to do pendant lighting over dining room tables is to use multiple mini pendants. When you group 3 or more pendants together, you’ll have a unique take on a chandelier. You can even mix and match pendants so you have ones of varying lengths, colors, and shapes.
Flush Mounts
Flush mounts usually work best with small eating spaces. There are both flush and semi-flush mounts (that hang down a few inches) you can choose from.
While a flush mount may not sound like the most exciting piece to hang over your dining room table, M&M Lighting carries thousands of different flush and semi-flush mount options. Finding one with a unique design can not only complement the size and design style of your room, but also serve as completely adequate ambient lighting.
ACCENT LIGHTING OPTIONS FOR YOUR DINING ROOM
While the ambient lighting options that we listed above are the first things you want to figure out, it’s by no means the end of creating a holistic approach to dining room lighting design.
After you’ve decided on your centerpiece fixture, you’ll want to bolster it with top-quality accent lights. Here are just some of the options you can utilize to create a full-orbed lighting strategy.
Wall Sconces
Wall sconces can be used to create an inviting tone, especially if you install a dimmer that will help you create the mood you’re looking for.
Overall, you’ll want to keep them at eye-level, about 60 inches above the ground since people will find themselves sitting in the dining room for most of the time.
One of the best places to place your sconces is above the fireplace mantel. If you’ve got a tall ceiling, hanging your sconces 66 inches or more can work well. Just be sure that the height doesn’t create glare.
Lamps
There’s a great versatility when it comes to lamps. Whether you add a small table lamp or a taller floor or buffet lamp, these fixtures are a great way to fill in the areas your ambient lighting doesn’t spread to.
Place a lamp in your living room near the couch to provide additional light for reading or set one up on your bedside table. When it comes to lamps, there are a wide variety of styles. Whether you're on the lookout for something more functional or want to add a touch of decor to an area that's looking plain, lamps are the way to go!
THE M&M LIGHTING DIFFERENCE
At M&M Lighting, our lighting consultants aren’t just “salespeople.” They’re fully certified lighting experts who have completed their training from the American Lighting Association and Lightolier. Lighting design is our claim to fame and you won’t find a better team than you will at our lighting showroom.
If dining room lighting design has you stumped, don’t hesitate to contact us and schedule an appointment or stop by our lighting store today.
We’ll guide you through our thousands of available lighting fixtures and accessories to find the perfect lights to meet your illumination and aesthetic needs. We look forward to serving you.
