Quick answer: The best dining room lighting ideas build three layers: a chandelier or a row of pendants centered over the table, wall sconces or picture lights for a soft glow on the walls and a lamp on the buffet. Size the main fixture to one half to two thirds of the table width and put every light on a dimmer.
These dining room lighting ideas start with one simple truth: the table is the heart of the room, so the light should be too. A brass dining room chandelier sets the mood, while sconces and lamps fill in the corners. Below are eight looks that work in real homes, with the sizes, heights and bulbs that make each one feel right.
In this guide
- What are the best dining room lighting ideas?
- A brass globe chandelier over a round table
- A linear chandelier over a long table
- A Sputnik chandelier for a mid century dining room
- A drum chandelier for focused light
- Dining room pendant lights in a row
- Brass and marble for a classic dining room
- Wall sconces and picture lights
- Buffet lamps and black and brass accents
- How to choose a brass dining room chandelier
- How high should dining room lighting hang?
- Best bulbs and dimmers for a dining room
- Shop the look: brass dining room lighting
- Frequently asked questions
What are the best dining room lighting ideas?
The best ideas layer light at three heights instead of asking one fixture to do everything. Light from above makes the table glow. Light at eye level from the walls keeps faces soft and flattering. Low light from a lamp adds warmth and depth when the overhead light is dimmed.
| Layer | Fixture | What it does | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambient and task | Chandelier or pendants | Lights the table and the room | Centered on the table, 30 to 36 inches above it |
| Accent | Wall sconces | Softens shadows on faces | About 60 inches above the floor, in pairs |
| Accent | Picture light | Draws the eye to art | Just above the frame |
| Mood | Buffet or table lamp | Adds a low, warm glow | On a sideboard or console |
A brass globe chandelier over a round table
A round or square table calls for a round fixture. Opal glass globes spread a soft, even light that flatters faces and hides bright bulbs. For a 48 inch table, look for a chandelier 24 to 32 inches wide. Our guide to what size chandelier for your dining table has a full size chart.
Prefer a lighter silhouette? Choose a frame with open arms so the globes seem to float above the table. Browse every round design in our dining room chandelier collection.
A linear chandelier over a long table
A long rectangular table looks best under a long fixture. Choose a linear chandelier about two thirds the length of the tabletop, so a 72 inch table takes a fixture around 48 inches long. Keep about 6 inches of table showing past each end.
A slim linear fixture works over tables that seat six to ten and keeps sight lines open across the table.
Looking for the centerpiece of your dining room?
Shop dining room chandeliers →A Sputnik chandelier for a mid century dining room
A Sputnik chandelier brings sculpture to the room. Its arms reach out from a central sphere, so it fills a tall space without looking heavy. It pairs well with walnut, teak and simple upholstered chairs. Read our Sputnik chandelier guide for history and sizing, then explore Sputnik chandeliers and the wider mid century brass lighting edit.
A drum chandelier for focused light
A drum shade sends light down onto the table and keeps glare out of your eyes. It is a good choice for formal rooms and for anyone who dislikes seeing bare bulbs. A drum also reads as quieter than an open chandelier, which suits traditional and transitional rooms alike.
Dining room pendant lights in a row
Two or three dining room pendant lights in a row are a smart alternative to one chandelier, especially over a long table or a table set close to a kitchen. Space them evenly, usually 24 to 32 inches apart. Keep the outer pendants about 6 inches inside the ends of the table. The same spacing rules apply over an island, as our guide to the brass pendant over kitchen island explains.
Textured shades catch the light beautifully at dinner. Browse our pleated, scalloped and hammered brass lighting. Smooth domes remain a timeless pick for a quieter look. For saucers, cones and globes in the same spirit, see our mid century pendant light guide. Find more in dining room pendant lights.
Brass and marble for a classic dining room
Brass and marble belong together in a classic dining room. The warm metal and cool stone echo old New York interiors and feel right with paneled walls, a stone fireplace or a marble topped sideboard. A linear marble pendant suits a long table, while a cluster pendant adds height over a round one.
For a round table, consider the Joralemon Brass Marble Cluster Pendant.
Love the look of an older piece? Our vintage brass chandelier guide covers the main styles by era and how to size one.
Wall sconces and picture lights
Sconces are the easiest way to make a dining room feel finished. Mount a pair on either side of a sideboard, a mirror or a window, about 60 inches above the floor. They lift light off the walls and soften the shadows a single overhead fixture creates. See our guide on how high to hang wall sconces for every room.
Try the Cornelia Pleated Brass Wall Sconce for a soft fabric look. Have a favorite painting? A brass picture light above the frame turns it into the focal point of the room.
Add a soft glow to the walls around your table.
Shop brass wall sconces →Buffet lamps and black and brass accents
A lamp on the buffet is the secret of rooms that feel warm at night. With the chandelier dimmed low, a pair of lamps adds pools of light that make the room look deeper. Choose shades in linen or paper and keep the lamps in scale with the sideboard. Browse brass table lamps for the right height.
For contrast, mix brass with black. A black and brass chandelier or pendant looks crisp against white walls and ties in with black window frames or chairs. Explore our black and brass lighting. For sizes, wall colors and styling tips, read our black and brass chandelier guide. Every Yore light is offered in four finishes: unlacquered brass, polished brass, black and chrome. Unlacquered brass develops a natural patina over time, as we explain in what is unlacquered brass.
How to choose a brass dining room chandelier
Start with the shape of your table, then match the fixture to it. Use the width of the table for round fixtures and the length for linear ones.
| Table | Best fixture | Size |
|---|---|---|
| 36 to 48 inch round or square | Globe or drum chandelier | 18 to 32 inches wide |
| 54 to 60 inch round | Globe, Sputnik or ring chandelier | 27 to 40 inches wide |
| 72 inch rectangle | Linear chandelier or 2 pendants | About 48 inches long |
| 96 inch rectangle | Linear chandelier or 3 pendants | 48 to 64 inches long |
| Oval | Linear or oval chandelier | One half to two thirds of the length |
Check the room too. Add the length and width of the room in feet: the total is a good chandelier diameter in inches. A 12 by 14 foot room suits a fixture about 26 inches wide.
How high should dining room lighting hang?
Hang the bottom of a chandelier or pendant 30 to 36 inches above the tabletop with an 8 foot ceiling. Add about 3 inches for each extra foot of ceiling height. For every case, read our guide to chandelier height above table.
| Ceiling height | Bottom of fixture above table |
|---|---|
| 8 feet | 30 to 36 inches |
| 9 feet | 33 to 39 inches |
| 10 feet | 36 to 42 inches |
| 12 feet | 42 to 48 inches |
Best bulbs and dimmers for a dining room
Warm white bulbs between 2700K and 3000K bring out the golden tone of brass and keep skin tones natural. Put the chandelier, the pendants and the sconces on dimmers so you can go from homework to dinner party in one turn. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LEDs use up to 90% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. Check that your dimmer is compatible with the LED bulbs you choose.
Wondering if brass will still look right in ten years? Read are brass light fixtures in style.
Shop the look: brass dining room lighting
Cornwall Brass Globe ChandelierShop now →
Beacon Brass Linear ChandelierShop now →
Fletcher Brass Sputnik ChandelierShop now →
Piermont Brass Drum ChandelierShop now →
Downing Brass Tiered PendantShop now →
Garrison Brass Linear PendantShop now →
Setting the table for the holidays? See our ideas for brass Christmas decorations, from the mantel to the dining table.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best lighting for a dining room?
A chandelier or a row of pendants centered over the table, supported by wall sconces and a buffet lamp. Put everything on dimmers for full control.
Should dining room lights match kitchen lights?
They should relate, not match. Repeat one element, such as the brass finish or the shade shape, so open spaces feel connected.
Can you use pendant lights over a dining table?
Yes. Two or three dining room pendant lights spaced evenly work well over a long table. Hang them 30 to 36 inches above the top.
How big should a brass dining room chandelier be?
One half to two thirds of the table width for a round fixture or about two thirds of the table length for a linear one.
Do wall sconces belong in a dining room?
Yes. A pair of sconces about 60 inches above the floor softens shadows and makes the room feel finished.
What color light bulb is best for a dining room?
Warm white, between 2700K and 3000K. It flatters faces and brings out the warmth of brass.
Need help planning your room? Send us your table size and ceiling height and we will suggest the right lights.
Keep exploring Yore: Dining room chandeliers · Dining room pendant lights · Brass wall sconces · Brass chandeliers · Chandelier size guide · How to clean brass
Designers and architects get 15% off every light with our Trade Program. Free shipping on every order in the US.