The dining room can be a unique space in your home, with it being used for multiple purposes. It obviously functions as a formal dining space from time to time, but you may also use it when doing your bookkeeping or helping the kids with their homework.
At Dulles Electric Supply in Sterling, we can help you find the perfect dining room lighting, giving you the ability to create the perfect space for entertaining guests, going over paperwork, or whatever you use the room for on a regular basis.
The Dining Room Chandelier
The central fixture of any dining room is the chandelier. Having the right chandelier can make all the difference when it comes to creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere that’s perfect for dining and entertaining. If you’ve been thinking about replacing the old chandelier in your dining space, or you want to remove that outdated flush mount fixture and install a chandelier, our team can help.
Choosing a Chandelier Style
There are a number of styles to choose from when looking for a new chandelier. You may have your eye on an elegant and ornate fixture that reminds you of a chandelier you once saw in a hotel or a home design magazine, or you may want something a bit more modern and minimalistic. Whatever the case may be, it’s good to consider several options when purchasing a new dining room chandelier.
Our team is well versed in all types of lighting trends and styles, and we can help you narrow down your fixture choices. If you want to know more about Art Deco or Art Nouveau chandeliers, we can show you what we have in stock, and we’ll gladly answer any questions you have.
Sizing The Chandelier
The dimensions of your dining room will play an important role in determining how big or small your new chandelier can be. It’s important that the light is properly sized for the space, since you don’t want it to feel too large or too small within the room. You also want it to provide plenty of ambient light when you have people over for a dinner party, such as during the holidays or to commemorate a special occasion.
Once you know the length and width of your dining room, you can begin to look for chandeliers. Our team can take your room measurements and show you which lights will fit the best. For example, if your dining room is 10’ x 10’, a chandelier that’s approximately 17” to 20” wide should be best. The wider and longer the room, the wider your chandelier can be. We can provide guidance and assistance on choosing the right fixture so that it ends up looking perfect in your dining room.
Hanging the Chandelier
Another factor to consider when selecting a new chandelier is how to hang it above the dining room table. The size and shape of the table will also play a part in determining the size and width of the chandelier, and we can help with that decision. As for hanging the light above the table surface, you’ll want to be sure there’s at least 30 to 36 inches of space between the bottom of the chandelier and the top of the table.
It’s important to ensure that there’s plenty of clearance between the chandelier and the table so that someone’s vision isn’t obstructed when they’re trying to speak with the person across from them. You’ll also want to be sure that the chandelier is high enough so that people don’t accidentally bump into it when sitting down or standing up.
As for the length of chain or cord you’ll need to hang your chandelier, you’ll have to take the height of the dining room ceiling into consideration. In order to achieve the proper spacing between the table and the bottom of the light, you’ll need the appropriate length of chain or cord to make the chandelier sit in the perfect spot within the room.
Accent Lighting
While the chandelier is often the focal point of a dining room, that doesn’t mean it’s the only fixture in the space. The room will only feel complete when you add the right accent lights to it. Wall sconces are a popular choice, and they can look great, provided you have room for them. If your dining room is narrow, with just enough space for people to walk behind the chairs, then you may not want to add sconces to those walls. You can install them on the far wall, near the head of the table, where it’s less likely someone will bump into them.
Your sconces should complement your chandelier in terms of style. If you choose a Transitional chandelier for the ceiling, then the sconces should be similar in look and feel. As for the amount of light the sconces provide, it can be good to have fixtures that cast light both upwards and downwards, creating more spread and making the room feel bigger than it is.
Track lighting is also an option when it comes to accent fixtures, especially if you have artwork on display in the dining room. These lights will be positioned closer to the ceiling, and it’s important to make sure they don’t detract from or interfere with the placement of your new chandelier. When used correctly, track lights can illuminate a favorite painting or photograph and make your dining room much more inviting.
Lighting Controls
As with any room in your home, it’s imperative to have the proper lighting controls for your dining room. When you host intimate dinner parties, you want to be able to dim the lights for that perfect ambience, and when you have the entire family over for the holidays, you need plenty of light so that everyone can see as they eat and converse.
Dimmer switches are a great choice for your chandelier and wall sconces, as they will allow you to raise and lower the lights based on time of day, mood, or your desired atmosphere. You’ll most likely want individual dimmers for the chandelier and the sconces, and perhaps one for your track lighting as well.
If you want to go a step further with your lighting controls, you can look into smart lighting presets and themes. You can program the settings to have a “Dinner Party” theme or a “Bookkeeping” theme so that the lights automatically adjust to your desired levels based on what you’re using the dining room for at the moment. You can also have the lights turn on and off at certain times, such as when someone enters or leaves the room.
Where To Begin?
Once you’ve decided to update or replace your old dining room lighting, you might not be sure where to begin. You may have some design catalogs to look through, or you may go online and start looking at various light fixtures. These are all great ideas, and if you want to see what we have to offer, take some time to look at our online catalog. You can view all types of chandeliers and wall sconces, along with other amazing light fixtures. If you’d rather have a hanging pendant or island light for your dining room table, we can help you find the perfect option!
You also visit our lighting showroom in Sterling to speak with a member of our team and get assistance with your new dining room lighting design. You can talk with one of our experts about the size of your dining room, what types of lights you envision adding to the space, and what your timeline and budget are for updating the room. In the end, what we want most of all is for you to find the lights that work for you.
Find Your New Dining Room Lighting
At Dulles, there’s nothing we love more than helping people discover the perfect lighting for their home. Our showroom and catalog are filled with amazing dining room lights, and we know that you’ll find something that inspires your new design. You can schedule a consultation with one of our lighting designers, who will work with you every step of the way. When all is said and done, your dining room will look and feel exactly how you’ve always wanted it to, with new light fixtures, new controls, and a completely new atmosphere.
Contact or visit us today to get started!
