Ready to learn how to take your boring dining room from drab to fab?
You have your table. Chairs that match. But something is missing.
Lighting.
Ok, maybe there’s more than that. But let’s start here.
Think about your dining room. The most successful rooms have chosen light fixtures and accessories that elevate the rest of the design.
On the other hand, busy homeowners dread spending more time or money in this space.
Changing the lighting alone can make all the difference.
You’ll Learn:
- Reasons why Lighting Comes First
- Tables & Seating Are Key
- Wall Treatments & Accessories
- Bringing the Dining Room Together
Reasons why Lighting Comes First
Statement lighting might be the most important design element in your dining room.
Light fixtures do more than provide task lighting over your table
The right fixture can set the mood. Create layers. Add dimension. Draw the eye upward.
When you walk into any room your gaze naturally moves upward.
Don’t believe me? Watch someone walk into a room. Notice their eyes go to the lighting fixture first.
Yep. That’s why exploring modern chandelier options and pendant lights is so important.
Whether you prefer sculptural design or classic crystal pendants, there are light fixtures to suit every space and style.
Find one that speaks to you and watch it transform the entire dining room.
Want proof people are loving lighting right now?
According to a 2025 smart home survey, smart lights and controllers accounted for 31% of smart home adoption in homes that have smart devices. That’s up from 49% as of just last year!
Homeowners want lighting that not only looks good but works better too.
Layer Like The Pros
You knew there was more to lighting a dining room than one fixture over the table. Don’t worry. I didn’t forget.
Typically homeowners make the mistake of buying one large fixture and calling it good.
Not layers friends. Layers.
Do yourself a favor and incorporate different types of light into your dining room for a multi-dimensional space.
- Think: Ambient lighting layers from your chandelier then add depth with accent lighting and task lighting.
When done correctly the three layers complement each other and make any dining room feel inviting day or night.
Size Does Matter
Speaking of lighting correctly…
Make sure you know how to measure for a lighting fixture.
Too small and it won’t make much of an impact. Too big and it will overwhelm the space.
Go big or go home, right? Wrong!
Here’s a little hack to determine what size lighting fixture you need.
Measure the length and width of your dining room in feet.
- Example: Your dining room is 12 feet long by 14 feet wide
- Add those two numbers together and convert to inches
- 12 + 14 = 26 inches
You would want a lighting fixture that is around 26 inches wide.
Boom. That wasn’t so hard now, was it?
Tables & Seating Are Key
Ok. Let’s talk about what to put underneath your lighting fixture.
The table is the focal point of any dining room and sets the tone for decor decisions surrounding it.
Shape, size, material… these factors all play into how your finished room will look and feel.
Round tables allow for more conversation and work well in smaller spaces.
Rectangular and oval tables are better for longer rooms and seating larger crowds.
As for material –
Dark wood tables are more traditional while lighter woods are modern and casual.
Glass is a great option to help rooms feel larger and lighter.
Seating Should Be Comfortable
We wouldn’t dream of sitting in an uncomfortable chair during dinner guests.
- Height: Standard chairs range from 17-19 inches from the floor to the seat
- Width: Allow at least 24 inches per person at the table
- Style: Keep with other finishes found in your dining room
One trend I’ve noticed lately is using two different styles of chairs at the table.
Create a visual difference by selecting host chairs in a unique style to break up the monotony.
Wall Treatments & Accessories
Nope. I’m not done preaching about lighting yet.
The walls in your dining room do more than support the ceiling.
The right wall color or wallpaper can make or break a room’s overall design.
Whether you go bold and paint an accent wall a deep blue or espresso or play it safe with cream paint you can’t go wrong with adding texture to your walls.
- Think: Wallpaper with patterns, wood paneling, shiplap, or a gallery wall.
Bathed in light from your gorgeous new fixture, your dining room walls are sure to shine.
A Houzz renovation study shows that 70% of homeowners who renovated their home did some sort of interior remodeling project.
Wall treatments/covers ranked high on the list for “best bang for your buck”.
Bringing the Dining Room Together
If your dining room only has a table, chairs, and walls it feels incomplete.
Add these finishing touches to round out your space:
- Table Runner/Centerpiece: Define the table and add a pop of color
- Draperies: Cover those windows and help dampen sound
- Area Rug: Help define the dining area and soften floors
- Buffet or Sideboard: Not only can you store dishes & glassware but display collections too
- Mirror: A large mirror is always handy to reflect more light and trick the eye into thinking your room is bigger
As you can see, each of these pieces has a purpose.
When styling your dining room make sure each piece you choose has function and form.
Scale & Proportion Are Important Too!
I touched on this earlier, but let’s dive deeper.
All the elements in a dining room should work together.
You wouldn’t hang a large statement chandelier over a small table. Likewise, a large painting shouldn’t hang behind a petite buffet.
Everything should complement each other and look like they belong together.
Stand in the middle of your dining room and take it all in. Do the eye travel to each area fluidly?
When the scale and proportion of a room are off – so is everything else.
Final Thoughts
Dining rooms that feel complete and successful don’t happen by accident.
Sure, you can try to keep up with every dining room trend out there.
- But if your lighting fixture doesn’t make a statement or tie the room together it’s all for naught.
There are basic elements to consider before shopping for your dream dining room.
Start with a fixture you love. Then buy a table that fits with the scale of your space.
From there you can tackle seating, walls, and accessories.
Room designed around lighting will ALWAYS be timeless.
Your dining room should be a place you WANT to spend time in. Don’t be afraid to make lighting a priority when designing yours.