Elevate Your Dining Ambiance with a Beautiful Pendant Light or Chandelier
Today’s post about dining ambiance comes to you from my need to find a new lighting fixture for my new dining space. Remember my sitting room? It’s once again the dining room, and is newly painted and wallpapered. But before I reveal it, I need a new pendant light or chandelier. And let me tell you, there are far too many options (which is probably why I haven’t pulled the trigger yet). So today I’m breaking the lights into basic categories because I figure there are many of you who face the same decorating dilemma.
Drum Style Pendant Lights
Let’s start with the classic drum style pendant light. It’s a safe choice for most spaces because it’s traditional and typically doesn’t cost a fortune like other lighting options. You can choose a very basic style, or get a little more creative with the second image, which I call an upside-down layer cake. The third photo shows an option with a little bit of gilding to it in the form of gold accents.
Photo by Elizabeth Lawson Design
Basket Style Textured Lighting
A few weeks ago I was convinced that I’d choose a basket style pendant light to create dining ambiance in my “new” space. However, the Hollis Pendant that I had my eye on from Arhaus is a bit pricey and caused me to hesitate. And now, the more I think about it, the more I wonder how much dust and cobwebs will get stuck in all the nooks and crannies of the light. Still, I love the texture of these lights that you’ll see in the next three photos.
Photo by Jennifer Worts Design
Photo by Bria Hammel Interiors
Modern Style in a Traditional Space
When choosing a lighting fixture, you’re actually choosing a piece of art and not just a functional item that casts light. You can change the mood of a room from traditional to eclectic with one single light fixture. So do I want to do that by choosing something unexpected? A big part of me says yes. Normally I would never choose the modern style light in this first dining room photo, but I really like the way it looks here.
The second photo is probably too George Jetson for me (although I think it’s cute), while the third dining light in this category tugs at my heart strings. That’s probably because my mother’s dining room light had a similar vibe and creates a feeling of nostalgia for me.
Photo by Deb Bayless – Design for Keeps
Photo by Powell Brower Interiors
The Traditional Chandelier
A chandelier is another safe choice because it’s expected in a dining room, however, the styles can vary greatly. And do you choose a really big one, or a smaller one that’s less intrusive? I know there are rules for how wide and tall a chandelier should be based on room and table size, but who follows decorating rules anymore?
I love all three of the chandeliers in the photos below and the dining ambiance they create. The first one incorporates a bit of beading, the middle one is glamourous, and the last one is simply sweet. But which one is just right?
Photo by Emily Kennedy Photography
Cool Metal Pendant Lights
My final category includes metal pendant lights. I’ve always loved the first option because the semi-circular shape is organic and different from the straight lines of the walls and windows. Not to mention, it’s super easy to dust! Does anyone else think about the cleaning aspect when choosing a ceiling light? The second photo shows a more farmhouse-style metal light, while the last one enjoys a cool vintage vibe.
Photo by Janet Mesic Mackie Photographer
Which type of dining room light do you like best? I’m getting closer to making my choice, and then I need to decide on a new rug that better matches the new wall color. Selecting the rug won’t be as difficult though because I have a pretty good idea of what I want.
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I really liked the third chandelier. Plus it would be easy to dust!😁
The first chandelier!!!😍😍but I like the metal ones too.
All of these light fixtures are lovely, but have you considered vintage fixtures?
My husband and I live in a modest (1,700s.f.) new build. We installed a sweet hobnail milk glass and brass chandelier over the dining table. We also mounted two very similar hobnail milk glass sconces on either side of the buffet. They are each on a dimmer switch, and they remind me of my grandmother’s home. My husband rewired the fixtures prior to installation, but they are now good for the next 50 years!
In the three rattan line ups that you’ve chosen I love the middle choice. sassy and fun. Recently went through this process. They are so many choices.
These are all nice. I am not too fond of basket chandeliers as they seem a little cheap looking to me. Love baskets and woven chairs and have a lot of those though. I love chandeliers and have seven of them and one I hope to hang somewhere eventually. Looking forward to your new room, especially the wallpaper. Love what so many are doing with it these days.
I liked the first chandelier and those metal pendant lights. Will be very interested in seeing your dining room when finished.
I like the subtle edginess of the “simply sweet” chandy. Can’t wait for the REVEAL!!!
I would love to see a picture. I love milk glass. My grandmother collected milk glass. I have a few pieces. Thanks Holly T.