15 Dining Room Lighting Ideas to Illuminate Your Space

Install Statement Sconces

You can make a statement in so many ways, and that includes your lighting. “Statement wall sconces in a dining room are the best way to increase lighting without taking away too much floor space,” says Soni Mehra, interior designer and founder of Marble Lotus. 

She recommends using wall sconces that match the finish of your chandelier so the space feels seamless. Also, mount them higher so no one bumps into them—this is especially important in smaller dining rooms.

Use Organic Textures

Soft, earthy, and organic is the theme of this welcoming dining space by Jenna Barton Interiors. Natural materials like cane, wood, and linen create a cohesive sense of warmth and texture, while the sculptural woven pendant provides another breezy touch overhead.

Source a Vintage Fixture

Want a one-of-a-kind light fixture? Head to the antique store, flea market, or thrift store and keep your eyes peeled for a vintage showstopper.

Sometimes you’ll get lucky and they’ll be ready to install, while other items may need a little love via rewiring or a fresh coat of paint. Here, interior designer Alexandra Kaehler used vintage illumination to take a traditional, blue-and-white dining room to the next level.

Go Ultra Modern

If quirky statement lamps aren’t really your aesthetic, then opt for ultra-minimalistic or modern dining room lighting instead. “The idea here was to do a modern, linear chandelier to contrast with the 110-year-old home,” says Betsy Vohs, founder of Studio BV.

Dial Up the Elegance

If your home has a modern-meets-vintage look, then lean into that aesthetic in your dining room too. In this gorgeous space outfitted by Margali & Flynn Designs, a long crystal chandelier becomes a glittering focal point. It’s stylish, sophisticated, and makes the room feel like a high-end restaurant.

Try an Invisible Approach

Sometimes a quiet statement—or a near-invisible light fixture—is the right choice for a space.

In this dining room by Alexandra Kaehler, the large windows and patterned treatments are the true stars of the show. The modern light fixture looks gorgeous, but its clear glass pendants and thin metal arms allow it to blend in, rather than compete with the surrounding details.

Make it Metal

This barrel-shaped brass light fixture instantly makes the dining room feel bright, warm, and balanced. Paired with natural textures, greenery, and layered neutrals, it serves as the perfect focal point in this space by Theresa Butler Interiors.

Note the proportion, too: It’s substantial enough to anchor the space, without overwhelming it.

Hang a Cluster Globe Chandelier

Thoughtfully layered colors, textures, and finishes make this bright and airy dining room feel like an oasis in its own right. The cluster globe chandelier, chosen by Hyphen + Co, further adds to the room’s charm. Varying heights and fabric-wrapped cords give the effect of beautiful indoor raindrops.

Opt for a Duo

Twice is nice when it comes to lighting up a dining room. Two fixtures provide more even lighting across your table, which is particularly helpful in large spaces or for long tables. It also lends a nice sense of balance and symmetry.

Add Small Table Lamps

While sconces and chandeliers are a natural choice in dining rooms, don’t write off task lighting for a soft and cozy glow.

“A mini lamp can work magic in a dining room,” Mehra says. “Place it next to your bar counter or on your buffet table, and it instantly enlightens the mood.” Or, if you have a smaller table, she says it can be placed in the middle to create a restaurant vibe.

Use Mid-Century Pendant Lights

In this gorgeous dining room, Jess Cooney Interiors installed a single, midcentury pendant with two branching arms. The fixture nods to the home’s traditional roots, pops against the white ceiling, and plays off the whimsical toile wallpaper.

“We wanted a fixture that allowed us to customize the finish—we mixed a shade painted a deep, inky teal with two metal tones,” says Lauren Cresswell, the firm’s creative director. “The room is textural but simple, so the fixture needed to make a statement.” 

Create Contrast

Knowing how to infuse contrast into a space is an interior design superpower. The juxtaposition of color, material, and weight instantly makes a room feel expertly curated. Here, a soft and papery light fixture adds contrast in terms of texture, tone, and heft.

Mirror the Room

Another interior design trick: Create through lines across your entire space (and home, for that matter). This well-lit, neutral dining room by Brad Ramsey Interiors does exactly that. The soft curves of the light fixture exactly match with the S-curve of the curtains and the rounded silhouette of the chairs.

Design a Custom Piece

For a light fixture that complements your space (and won’t be found in anyone else’s home), splurge on a customized piece.

“This fixture was custom brass and leather,” Vohs says. “The detailing is fantastic and makes a big impression while you dine next to it.”

Have Fun With an Artsy Fixture

You can make a statement through scale, of course, but in a dining room, sometimes the best wow moments come from a sculptural chandelier. In this beautiful blue dining room designed by Margali & Flynn Designs, a playful and abstract light fixture doubles as a piece of art.