Lighting Guide: The Dining Room

Creating an inviting and functional dining room is all about finding the right balance between style and practicality, with lighting playing a key role in setting the perfect atmosphere. We’ve broken down some tips to help you light up your dining room just right.

1. Start with the Focal Point
In most homes, the dining table is the heart of the room. So when it comes to lighting, that’s where your attention should go first. Rather than lighting the room as a whole, focus on the area above the table. A central pendant, or a cluster of pendants, will help anchor the space and draw the eye.

For long, rectangular tables, we often recommend designs like Khai or Vallie - both designed with this layout in mind. Their linear forms help spread light evenly across the length of the table, avoiding dark patches. Alternatively, you could opt for a series of pendants arranged along the table’s length. As an unwritten rule, you can determine what distance you should have between pendants by using the diameter of the pendant lamp as the distance that is recommended. So if your lamp has a diameter of 40cm, then leave a space between your lamps of 40cm.

For more intimate, round dining tables, choose either a single pendant light such as Kobi or an odd-numbered cluster, hung at differing heights, to match your table’s shape. This creates a seamless, balanced look that’s both stylish and cohesive.

2. Get the Height Right
As a general guideline, the bottom of the light fixture should hang 30-36 inches above the standard 30 inch high table top. This height is ideal for two reasons:

• Functionality: It lights the tabletop effectively without overwhelming the room with light, keeping the focus on the dining area.
• Visibility: At this height, pendant lights will be at just the right level to let everyone at the table see each other easily, making conversations flow comfortably.

3. Add Layers with Ambient Light
Complement the overhead lighting with ambient table lamps or wall lights strategically placed evenly around the room. You can also pair pieces from the same lighting family to create a scheme that feels both seamless and intentional. Our Thea collection, for example, includes both a chandelier and wall lights in a matching finish - ideal for creating a cohesive look. These extra touches not only add to the room's ambiance but also creates warmth and depth. 

4. Dimming Capability
Make sure all your light fixtures have dimmable switches. It is key for setting the perfect mood, whether you're hosting lively social gatherings that need bright lights or planning cosy, intimate dinner parties that call for a softer, more ambient glow. Dimmable dining room lights give you full control over the atmosphere.

6. Bulb Selection
When choosing bulbs for your dining room, aim for ones that emit a warm light at a colour temperature of 2700 kelvins. This warm white glow is ideal for creating a welcoming and intimate dining atmosphere.