Fifteen Inspiring Dining Room Lighting Concepts to Brighten Your Environment
Dining rooms are more than just a place to eat; they're where memories and good times are made with loved ones. The perfect vibe and ambiance are essential to creating unforgettable moments in this space, and lighting plays a significant role in setting the atmosphere. Here's a mix of creative ways to light up your dining room, as shared by some talented interior designers.
- Make a statement with wall sconces
- Jenna Barton Interiors crafted a warm and inviting dining space through the use of natural materials like cane, wood, and linen. A sculptural woven pendant adds a breezy touch overhead, pulling everything together.
- Go thrift shopping for a vintage find
- If you're in search of a unique light fixture, hit up the antique store, flea market, or thrift store. With a little love via rewiring or a fresh coat of paint, you'll find your space transformed with a one-of-a-kind fixture like the one interior designer Alexandra Kaehler used to elevate a traditional dining room.
- Opt for ultra-modern lighting
- Betsy Vohs of Studio BV designed a modern, linear chandelier to contrast an 110-year-old home, proving that minimalistic lighting can still make a statement.
- Dial up the elegance with crystal chandeliers
- For homes with a modern-meets-vintage look, lean into that aesthetic with a long, crystal chandelier like the one Margali & Flynn Designs used to make a room feel like a high-end restaurant.
- Choose a near-invisible light fixture
- In some cases, a quieter statement is the right choice. In a dining room by Alexandra Kaehler, the large windows and patterned treatments are the true stars, while the modern light fixture looks stunning but blends in with its slim glass pendants and metal arms.
- Make it metal
- A brass barrel-shaped light fixture instantly transforms a dining room, making it feel bright, warm, and balanced. In a space by Theresa Butler Interiors, it serves as the perfect focal point against natural textures, greenery, and neutral colors.
- Hang a cluster globe chandelier
- Thoughtfully layered colors, textures, and finishes create an oasis-like dining room. Hyphen & Co chose a cluster globe chandelier to further enhance the room's charm, with varying heights and fabric-wrapped cords creating the effect of beautiful indoor raindrops.
- Go for a duo of fixtures
- Two fixtures provide better lighting in large spaces or for long tables, offering a nice balance and symmetry.
- Add small table lamps for a cozy glow
- Interior designer Soni Mehra recommends using mini lamps to create a warm and inviting setting. Place them next to your bar counter or on your buffet table to increase the mood.
- Use mid-century pendant lights
- In a beautiful dining room designed by Jess Cooney Interiors, a single, mid-century pendant with two branching arms was used to add warmth while playing off the whimsical toile wallpaper.
- Create contrast with a light fixture
- Mixing contrasting styles can elevate a space. In one instance, a soft and papery light fixture adds contrast through texture, tone, and weight.
- Mirror the room
- Creating visual through lines across the entire space (and home) amplifies the feeling of space. This well-lit, neutral dining room by Brad Ramsey Interiors does exactly that, with the light fixture's soft curves matching the S-curve of the curtains and the chairs.
- Design a custom piece
- If you want a light fixture that complements your space uniquely, invest in a customized piece. Custom brass and leather fixtures help create an impression while dining beside them, as shared by Studio BV's Betsy Vohs.
- Have fun with an artsy fixture
- Don't be afraid to make a statement through scale with a sculptural chandelier. In this beautiful blue dining room designed by Margali & Flynn Designs, an abstract light fixture doubles as a piece of art.
- Invest in a customized brass and leather light fixture to create an impression while dining, as shared by Studio BV's Betsy Vohs.
- For a cozy glow, use mini lamps placed next to your bar counter or on your buffet table, as recommended by interior designer Soni Mehra.
- A soft and papery light fixture can add contrast through texture, tone, and weight to a space, as demonstrated in one instance.
- Thoughtfully layered colors, textures, and finishes can create an oasis-like dining room, with a cluster globe chandelier further enhancing the room's charm, as seen in a space by Hyphen & Co.
- Dial up the elegance with a long, crystal chandelier like the one Margali & Flynn Designs used to make a room feel like a high-end restaurant.
- In a small dining room, statement wall sconces provide increased lighting without taking up too much floor space, as recommended by interior designer Soni Mehra of Marble Lotus.
Embrace organic textures and earthy styles
Interior Designer Soni Mehra of Marble Lotus recommends statement wall sconces for increased lighting without taking up too much floor space. Their finish should match your chandelier for a cohesive feel, and they should be mounted higher to avoid accidents, particularly in smaller dining rooms.
