Whether you’re planning a big meal for a holiday or special occasion, or you’re enjoying weekly mealtimes and dinner with your family, the lighting in your dining room can have a big impact on the way this space looks and feels. Choosing the right dining area lighting can be a challenge if you’re not sure where to begin. From bold pendant lights and shimmering chandeliers to accent lights, read on for a list of 10 stylish dining room lighting ideas that will help transform your vision into a reality.
1. Make Your Dining Room Glam with Metallic Chandeliers
Nothing says luxe quite like bright metallic finishes and bold, modern shapes. Give your dining room a reboot with a brilliant chandelier, like options from Worlds Away Lighting. Look for something featured in a mid-century modern style, boasting protruding arms and small candelabra or LED bulbs. Sputnik style chandeliers are a perfect choice to get that retro look, and the addition of a bright metal finish like brass, gold, or chrome will instantly take your dining room to a whole new level. A sparkling chandelier is one of the most timeless dining room lighting ideas since it never goes out of style. The bolder the design, the more visual impact you’ll get in the space. You can even find chandeliers accented with unusual designs like a spiral and pivot style. This unusual design seems to twist and turn, creating a mobile-like effect. Pick one in a brilliant finish to give your dining room that ultra-modern look you’ve been wanting.
2. Add Small Lamps for Warm, Ambient Lighting
If you want to create a warm and inviting vibe in the dining room, try some small buffet table lamps. These miniature table lamps can be placed on a cabinet, bar, or credenza to add a warm glow as you dine and entertain. Try some unique buffet lamps from Regina Andrew Lighting boasting a durable cast iron base finished in a warm antique gold leaf. Top the buffet lamp with a fabric shade to diffuse the light and create a soft glow that makes your guests feel cozy and comfortable while they dine. You can place buffet table lamps anywhere, even directly on the dining room table if you choose. It’s a perfect alternative to bright ceiling lights, especially if you’re planning a romantic meal. These little lamps are also a great way to highlight something decorative in your dining room, like a favorite framed photograph or a small sculpture.
3. Put a New Spin on Classic Styles
Classic and traditional dining room light fixtures are fine, but they don’t always add a lot of uniqueness to the dining room. Look for styles that elevate more traditional lighting, like a brilliant candelabra-style chandelier from Mitzi Lighting featuring long, slender arms and an aged brass finish. Small, round bulbs will give the light a modern upgrade and a contemporary touch. You can also find these lights in variations that feature various numbers of bulbs. For example, you can choose from chandeliers that have as few as six to eight light bulbs, or as many as 15 depending on your needs. The idea is to install something that has classic features and silhouettes with a slightly modern spin for a sleek aesthetic.
4. Rustic Meets Modern
While the rustic and farmhouse styles are still a popular choice for many people, you want to make sure that your dining room lighting will stand the test of time and continue to look beautiful despite current trends. A unique chandelier that includes delicately draped strands of wood beads will give the dining room a warm touch and a rich, rustic vibe. Try one of these light fixtures in a colorful finish rather than a raw wood look. Regina Andrew Lighting offers a style boasting ombre-colored beads in soft hues to give your lighting a fun, playful touch that will work with virtually any style. Anything made of a thick metal will give the room a more industrial-modern vibe. Choose pierced metal shades, frosted glass, or something with a thick clear glass combined with metal to bring the classic feel of rustic together with an updated, modern touch.
5. Go Bold with Unconventional Materials
Dining room lighting ideas don’t have to be boring and bland. In fact, you can find new designs that add a dramatic component to this room. Try a fixture from Made Goods Lighting that features panels made from woven coco beads and overlapping rings in a bold, colorful turquoise color. You can also choose a neutral color if you want something a bit more versatile. This unique light features ruffled edges and your choice of finish to complete the look. The unusual shape and style are a perfect way to create a dramatic focal point in the dining room. Another totally unusual take from Made Goods Lighting includes a chandelier crafted from white twisted plaster bars. Installing light fixtures constructed of creative materials will add texture and visual interest to your dining room.
6. Make Your Dining Room Organic
If you’re a fan of the popular laid-back, Bohemian style, consider dining room lighting with shades made of natural materials. Fixtures with an intricately woven shade will help you create a relaxed ambiance and an eclectic look. Try a beautiful pendant from Troy Lighting made with a woven vine shade in your choice of size. The warm brown color creates an organic-inspired touch, and the use of natural materials gives your dining room that boho-chic look you’ve been aiming for. Other organic lighting options include shades made of coco beads, shimmering shells, or other types of woven grasses.
7. Drum Chandeliers Lend a Refined Look
8. Get Creative with Wall Sconces
If you want to add more ambient lighting but don’t want to give up additional square footage, a wall sconce can be a perfect solution for your dining room. Troy Lighting designs a myriad of sconces to suit any style. Whether it’s sleek and modern or industrial, wall sconces can bring a touch of glow to your dining room without being too bright. Look for wall sconces by Troy Lighting that features a beautiful clear glass shade that allows the light to brightly shine through. You can also opt for sconces with fabric shades that will diffuse the light to give it a softer, warmer glow. Modern dining room lighting can include some matching sconces featuring sleek, slender arms and bright metallic finishes that will help to give the room a brilliant pop.
9. Lighting: Lamps as a Work of Art
Table lamps don’t have to be used as a light source that’s just reserved for your bedroom, living room, or home office. Try some dining room table lights that will add a sculptural component to this important room. A fun lamp can add a touch of uniqueness to your dining space, and it’s a great way to add more lighting if you need it in a pinch. Regina Andrew Lighting makes a vast array of bold lamps featuring everything from birds on branches to abstract sculptured bases finished in a bright metallic gold hue. Made Goods Lighting also designs a myriad of unique table lamps that you can easily use in the dining room and beyond. The best thing about these dining room lighting ideas is that the fixture can easily be moved to another part of your home, then returned to the dining space whenever you need it.
10. Keep Things Simple with Flush Mount Lighting
If your dining room is on the small side, install a simple, sleek flush mount ceiling light. These lights are affixed close to the ceiling to help make the room appear larger. You can also opt for a semi-flush mount light that hangs slightly lower. These fixtures are attached to a short rod and include a beautiful shade or other design that hangs down, but not as prominently as a chandelier or pendant light would. Look for lights that have enough lumens or brightness to ensure that you can see when setting the table and enjoying a meal. If you need to complement the existing light, add some table lamps, wall sconces, or you can even place a tall floor lamp in one corner of the room.