In the dining room, there are a number of factors you must take into consideration when decorating the space. This includes the furniture, a color palette, even your dishes need to coordinate. Of course, nothing is as important in the dining room as the light fixture itself. The light fixture needs to be not only the right size, but also the right height, shape and so forth. This guide will help you determine what size light fixture you need for your dining room table.
Determining the Size of a Light Fixture
To figure out what size light fixture you’ll need, you will start by taking measurements of the room itself. You will need both the length and the width of the room, which you’ll add together to get an approximate diameter for the light fixture itself.
For example, if your dining room is 15 feet wide by 17 feet long, you will add 15 and 17 to get 32 feet. The number 32 is your diameter, which you will use to for your light fixture. So, for over your dining room table you should have a light fixture that is 32 inches in diameter.
Of course, this may not always work, as a large room with a more modest size table may look overpowered by a chandelier that is based off the diameter of the room. In these instances, it is perfectly acceptable to take the width of the table and use that to find the right light fixture, which should be half the width of your table.
For example, if your dining room table is 4 feet wide, you will need a chandelier that is half that at 2 feet or 24 inches in diameter. By using the chandelier, you can enhance your dinging room and even kitchen light design.
How High Should My Light Fixture Hang Over My Dining Room Table?
No matter what size chandelier or light fixture you have hanging over your dining room table, the average height at which most designers recommend is the same. At a bare minimum, your light fixture should be at least 30 inches from the top of the table to the bottom of the fixture itself.
However, the height you choose can vary based on the size of your dining room, the size of the table, the height of the ceiling and the style of light fixture you’ve chosen. Heights can vary anywhere from 30 inches to 40 inches or more over the top of the table.
Also, on a side note, long tables may require multiple light fixtures. In these instances, you will need to take the length of the table and divide it into 2 sections and center the two light fixtures over each center of each section.
In short, the dining room light fixture is extremely important, just like any pendant light that you are installing. It must be a proper size, shape and hung at the right height to ensure it does not look off or cause the room to feel “not quite right.” Fortunately, with these tricks in hand, you should have no problem getting started!