
If there is one area in your home where the decorative properties of a lighting fixture should be most considered it is the Dining Room. It is the focal point of the room where we gather for special events and holidays. And it is the one place in most homes where the light hangs at eye level.
Today there are more options than ever regarding the style of a Dining Room fixture. Other than Chandeliers in their traditional design which feature arms radiating out from a central column, now there are Pendants in the form of Drum Shades or Lanterns sometimes hung in multiples or more modern styles with linear designs or multi-light clusters. These styles can be found in all price ranges so one should have no problem expressing their individual style.
There are however some Do’s and Don’ts.
- Do make sure it’s the appropriate size. It should be scaled to the table- one half to two thirds the width of the table and no more than 12” less than the table at it’s the widest point.
- Don’t undersize it. When shopping for a chandelier in a lighting showroom they are all crammed together which makes the fixture appear larger. When taken home it will shrink by itself in the room. If the fixture you love seems too large it can always be hung higher so it won’t dominate the room.
- Do hang the fixture between 30” to 36” from the top of the table. Fixtures with a lot of volume or that are very ornate should be on the higher side especially for rooms with high ceilings.
- Do feel free to experiment with the style of the fixture. For long rectangular tables, a linear fixture or multiple fixtures can light the table more evenly and really give a designed feel.
- Do install a dimmer. I can’t stress this enough. It allows for different activities and moods, from kid’s homework to romantic ambiance.