Tips to Choose Dining Room Lighting

One of the best features of vintage lighting? Fixtures never go out of style. What was once old always comes back and at Restoration Lighting Gallery, we have all the antique products you need to transform your interior spaces this spring. Let’s start with a room often used for entertaining guests – the dining room. What style of fixture should you choose?

Ambient Lighting Options

Vintage chandelier in breakfast roomAmbient light is your source of general illumination – do you pick a refurbished mid-century chandelier or an art-deco pendant? The fixture you place over the dining room table should come down to two important factors: Its functionality and your personal style.

Chandeliers

These fixtures tend to be more traditional – we have a few refurbished chandeliers from the 19th century! The exquisite detailing of our vintage chandeliers gives them a classic feel, perfect for formal entertaining. If you host a lot of holidays, a chandelier may be your best choice. Make sure the chandelier hangs 30 inches above the surface of your dining table.

Pendants

Pendant lighting is a more contemporary fixture choice. A modern trend for dining areas, these rooms can often benefit from pairs of pendants. If you have a long table that seats many, multiple pendants may provide better general illumination than one large chandelier.

Flush Mounts

If you have a small dining room or use a kitchen nook to treat guests to a sit-down meal, choose a flush mount. These compact ceiling fixtures do not hang down low but can provide the light you need to serve food. To determine if a flush mount is too big for a space, add the room’s length and width and convert to inches: 16 by 12 calls for a fixture that’s 28-in. wide.

Accent Lighting Options

If your dining area is spacious, accent lighting is a personal decision. Yet in a cramped space, you have less options. Rather than crowding the room with table and floor lamps, wall sconces can add depth without taking up space. Choose a focal point in the dining room, whether it be a favorite piece of artwork or a mirror above a fireplace, and place vintage wall sconces on either side. This addition not only creates more light, but an inviting feel.

When you come to Restoration Lighting Gallery, we know you’ll be inspired by our one-of-a-kind, restored vintage fixtures. To find the perfect ceiling or wall fixture for your dining room, visit our Hartford store today!

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