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Your Guide to Pendant Lighting in the Dining Room

Pendant lighting in dining rooms is all about creating drama. Whether entertaining guests or just hanging out with your family, a well-placed pendant light can be the perfect finishing touch. They offer an excellent opportunity to add a pop of personality to the room. But choosing the right one can be complicated. It needs to make a decorative statement and provide enough light for the table without unwanted glare.

Much of the aesthetics of dining room lighting fixtures can be influenced by proportion in relation to the dining room. There are plenty of unusual pendant lights to produce a dramatic look and beautiful lighting in your dining room.

@caseysarkindesign, Photography by @bethhallphotography

Rimini 38 Inch Large Pendant by Arteriors Home

A large pendant makes a statement in any space. The curvy, sultry Rimini 38 Inch Large Pendant by Arteriors Home brings texture and warmth to this colorful dining area. It brings the eye upward while highlighting the hand-painted tiles and bright blue cabinets. Colorful cabinets are trending and it’s easy to see why.

How to Size Pendants Based on Ceiling Height?

Pendant lights for dining rooms look best when their size and scale are in sync with the size and scale of the room. A large dining room can accommodate a large pendant, while a smaller dining room needs a smaller one – but not too small – to keep the look balanced.

To size a pendant light based on the ceiling height, measure the dining room from floor to ceiling. Multiply each foot of height by 2.5 inches to 3 inches per foot to get the range of sizes that will work well in the space. Change the value from feet to inches.

For example, for an 8-foot ceiling, a pendant between 20-24 inches tall will work. The higher the ceiling, the larger the pendant so that the fixture matches the room’s scale.

@deidre_interiors

Suzanne Kasler Morris 23 Inch Cage Pendant by Visual Comfort and Co.

Steeped in old-world charm with a fresh contemporary vibe, the Suzanne Kasler Morris 23 Inch Cage Pendant by Visual Comfort and Co. is an artful blend of two styles. The gilded iron finish draws warmth from the natural wood floor and area rug, enveloping the space in comfortable illumination.

How to Size Pendants Based on Room Size?

Next, to keep things proportional, tackle getting the pendant’s size based on the dining room’s size. Measure the dining room’s width and length in feet. Add the two numbers together and change the values to inches.

For example, if the room measures 15 feet by 15 feet, the sum is 30 feet. That means that the ideal diameter of the pendant would be 30 inches.

@beyond_beige⁠, Photography by @korchmediaco

Chiffonade Large Pendant by Currey and Company

Curling downward in a lovely spiral, the Chiffonade Large Pendant by Currey and Company elegantly floats over plush green chairs in this dining room. The gold interior and swirling shape allow a warm glow to waft between the arching bands of wrought iron. The antique black finish contrasts with the white ceiling. Framed by the home’s architectural features, it makes a striking focal point when

Pendant Light Shapes & Styles for Dining Room Area

Now let’s put it all together. The ideal pendant for the theoretical dining room would be 20-24 inches tall and 30 inches in diameter. However, when choosing pendants, bigger is usually better. Oversized pendants for dining rooms make a powerful statement, while smaller ones can lose their impact, so it’s okay to choose one a little bigger if it suits your style and taste.

A large table may require two or more pendants evenly spaced out, which may influence the size of the pendants.

@vanisayeedstudios, Photography by @sabrinacolequinn

Royalton 26 Inch Large Pendant by Hudson Valley Lighting

Every event is special under the sparkling opulence of the Royalton 26 Inch Large Pendant by Hudson Valley Lighting, from intimate dinners to large gatherings. Crystal beads cascade like a waterfall around the light source, adding more than a dash of elegance.

@jacksonbuilt_custom_homes

Travis 20 Inch Cage Pendant by Hudson Valley Lighting

Installing multiple pendants over a rectangular table can make an eye-catching focal point over the dining room table. This pair of Travis 20 Inch Cage Pendants by Hudson Valley Lighting is a sophisticated contrast of metal and acrylic. The acrylic shades make a playful design impact and highlight the many features of the dining room. They are just as exquisite in the natural light streaming through as they are when lit.

@janissnell

Somerset 15 Inch Large Pendant by Hinkley Lighting

Chic and subtle, this pair of Somerset 15 Inch Large Pendants by Hinkley Lighting are the perfect size, shape, and style for this dining room. The heritage brass finish and etched opal glass exude precise refinement. A fusion of vintage and modern elements, their clean lines complement the design without overwhelming it.