How To Choose The Perfect Pendant Light for Your Dining Table

By Zephyr and Stone

Nothing creates a statement in your dining room like a feature pendant light. Dining room lighting adds character to your space and atmosphere by night; and in an open plan layout, can be the vital ingredient for defining your dining zone from other living spaces.

But one size definitely doesn’t fit all, so how many pendants over your dining table should you plan for? And what should you consider when choosing a hero pendant light for your space? #letsfindout

coastal rattan pendant lights over dining table in classic coastal kitchen design guide — Zephyr and Stone • Classic Coastal Project Dining Room with Coastal Rattan Pendant Light hanging over table

Pendant Light Size

You betcha your pendant light size matters — and a bigger pendant light is almost always better if you want to make a statement… but there are a few things to take into account;

Ceiling Height - if you’re opting for a big dining room light size, make sure you have the ceiling height to make it work. Check your pendant light’s height dimensions to make sure it fits, because if your ceilings are too low, your dining room could look unbalanced.
Table size - Pendant lights over a dining table should sit over the table and not run past it. If they sit too far out, you run the risk of knocking and eyeballing the pendant lighting each time you sit down for a meal.
Pendant Light Proportions - A small pendant light may lose its effect in a large room or conversely, a larger pendant may look oversized in a smaller space. Consider your light size in relation to your room dimensions to ensure it’s a good fit.

Z+S Tip • For extra-tall ceiling heights check the length of your pendant light suspension cord to make sure it is long enough to accommodate your light hanging height.

Scandinavian dining room with black rattan pendant light over the dining table with black stools — Zephyr and Stone • Scandi Dining Room with Black Rattan Pendant Light over dining table

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Dining Room Position Matters

We’re talking about your dining room position in your home and any adjoining views or features!

Larger pendant lights can block or partially obscure artwork, a view, or spaces behind them, so it’s important to consider any outlook or features to ensure your dining room lighting design is complimentary.

Black rattan pendant lights over the dining table with grey chairs in retreat house design guide project — Zephyr and Stone • Retreat House Dining Room with Black Rattan Pendant Light over Black Dining Table

Dining Table Lighting Fixtures

Your pendant light is an opportunity to add shape and pattern to your space, so choosing a lighting fixture that complements your dining table shape and dining room style will add to the appeal of your design.

For a round or square dining table, a single large symmetrical pendant light centred over the dining table works well. You can also look at asymmetrical options, however, plan your lighting so it sits in equal dimensions from the centre of your table. For round and square tables you can also consider grouping pendants at varied heights above the centre of your table.

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For rectangular shaped tables, a lighting feature that extends along the length of the table works well. This can be a single light fitting with multiple globes or lights, or a number of single pendants light installed in a row. Always balance any lights in proportion to your table length when planning the spacing of multiple fittings together.

When hanging a number of single pendants, odd numbers like 3 or 5 pendants generally work best visually; however, 2 larger lights can be equally effective if planned and positioned with forethought.

LED Bar Pendant light over the dining table with black chairs in resort dining room project — Zephyr and Stone • Resort Dining Room Dining Table LED Bar Pendant Light

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Fit For Use

It’s vital to ensure your pendant light will provide enough light to illuminate your dining table and space, especially for longer tables, where more than one globe or light source may be required.

It’s also essential to consider any external elements like weather or wind. If your light is positioned where it may be knocked about by the wind, glass fixtures may not be practical. Whilst if sea spray or direct sunlight is at play, a pendant material that will withstand rust and fading should be high on your lighting agenda.

Rattan pendant light over the dining table in classic coastal design home guide project — Zephyr and Stone • Classic Coastal Project Dining Room with Rattan Pendant Light

Which Style Dining Table Pendant Light?

Your pendant light should complement the style of your home and any other pendants, wall lights or lighting in adjoining spaces.

Consider the colour of any accessories or finishes in your home to ensure your pendant light is cohesive and adds to your home interior design. Your light is an opportunity to balance your space and add texture, and if chosen well, will add a designer element to your dining room and home.

Rattan pendant light over the wooden dining table with greige chairs in coral house design guide project — Zephyr and Stone • Coral House Project Rattan Pendant Lights Coastal

LED bar pendant light over the dining table in resort home design guide project — Zephyr and Stone • Resort Dining Room LED Bar Pendant Lights

Mood Lighting

Depending on the occasion, you may want to tone down or ramp up the light factor. A dimmable pendant light is the perfect solution as it allows you to create an ambience for your dinner party or up the light factor on poker night.

Even if your light isn’t dimmable, you might be able to add a dimmable switch; so check with your electrician if this is a priority for your dining room.

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How high?

Hanging your pendant light at the right height will ensure your space looks balanced. You’ll need to consider both its relationship to the dining table and how it looks from a distance away.

There’s no one size fits all as hanging height will vary for depending on your light, table dimensions and dining room design, however as a general rule, a height of around 75-85 cm (30-34 inches) from the top of the dining table to the bottom of the light fixture works well. This ensures the pendant light doesn’t obstruct the view across the table or create glare in the eyes of your seated diners.

You can also sketch your dining space with the light and table to scale before installation, to visualise proportions. Then when you have your pendant light at home or onsite, grab a friend and have them hold it up so you can check the height and make sure it looks balanced visually.

Z+S Tip • Once you’ve determined the hanging height, measure the length of the light suspension cord that will be visible once the light is installed, to provide to your electrician for fit off.

coastal rattan pendant light over dining table in contemporary coastal home design guide project — Zephyr and Stone • Contemporary Coastal Project Dining Room with Coastal Rattan Pendant Dining Light

So whether it’s large or small, a single hero light or a combination of dining lights, planning and measuring is the key to ensuring your new pendant lighting works in your space. So set aside the time to choose the right pendant for this key lighting feature in your home, as when chosen well, it will be the cherry on top of your dining room design.