Today’s dining rooms reflect consumer’s
changing lifestyles. Once used
solely for daily dining, this room has become
more multipurpose.
“During the week, we use the dining
room as a work zone, for homework, crafts, church work, organizational meetings,”
says Dan Blitzer, continuing
educator for the American Lighting Association.
“On the weekends and special
occasions, it becomes a gathering place for
parties and meals.”
The result? Dining rooms must boast multiple
lighting options that can go
from functional to fashionable in the flick
of a switch.
To get the best balance of illumination in
the dining room, opt for layers
of light. “The most important thing
a homeowner should recognize is that a
dining room does not look well-lighted if
the only light source is a chandelier,”
says Blitzer. “A chandelier that is
bright enough to illuminate a room will be
too bright for comfort when dining. Likewise,
if the chandelier’s light is comfortable
on the eyes, it will be too dim and look flat.”
When choosing dining room lighting, start
with a chandelier in the middle of the room,
then work out with accent lights. The chandelier
will determine the room’s feeling. Use your imagination.
In today’s more eclectic decor, even
casual homes can have elegant dining rooms.
“You might find casual wrought iron
or brushed steel metal fixtures in the home’s adjacent “great room"
and wrought iron with crystal drops or
pendants in the dining room, creating a more
romantic, softer setting,” Greg
Vandia, Vice President Sales and Marketing
for New York manufacturer Murray
Feiss.” That’s perfectly acceptable.”
When selecting a chandelier, don’t
worry about the fixture’s quality of
light as much as its beauty and scale. Chandelier
choices include everything
from those with exposed bulbs to those with
large alabaster diffusing bowls.
Trends range from simple Mission-inspired
models with mica glass to ornate
brass filigree with crystal pendants.
“Finish is the most important factor
today and it should compliment surrounding
furnishings and accessories; not match or
contrast,” “The finish selected
will then determine the material.”
Popular materials include brass, aluminum,
wrought iron, other metal
combinations, or composite materials.
Crystal chandeliers are one of the most traditional
way to compliment a dining room setting. "Crystal
chandeliers work to create an ethereal, magical
look -- even if they are not turned on,"
Candlepower chandeliers -- those without
electricity -- rate as one of the latest trends
in dining room decor. "We have been selling
a lot of chandeliers to be used simply as
decorative accessories," says Beers,
who saw the trend begin in 2000. "It's
a phenomena driven by people who want recessed
lighting or candles on their table as their
light source. Antique chandeliers were not
wired for electricity originally, but were
used for the way other light played off the
crystal."
Whether you opt to illuminate your chandelier
or not, make sure you choose the right size
chandelier for your environment. To find the
right size chandelier, choose one with a diameter
12” less than width of table, suggests
Wiedemer. This assumes the table is sized
appropriate for room. The bottom of chandelier
should be 30” above table. For ceilings
nine feet or higher, consider a two-tier style
chandelier to fill the space from the fixture’s
top to the ceiling.
"It is better to go bigger than to end
up with a chandelier that is too small,"
says Beers. "If you are making the investment,
you want to make a statement."
Accent lights, either recessed or tract-mounted,
on either side of the
chandelier and between the end of the table
add a festive sparkle to china,
crystal, fruit arrangements. Space them so
they are not over the head of
diners, but not so close to the chandelier
to create shadows. Angle them
toward the chandelier to add sparkle to the
chandelier and provide down
lighting.
The final layer of light should fill in the
shadows around the room’s
perimeter. Consider recessed lights located
in the ceiling toward the corners
of the room. Wall washers, recessed or mounted
on tracts, can illuminate
drapes or paintings. Torchieres and sconces
point light toward the ceiling.
Don’t forget to light furniture around
the edge of the dining room. “Buffets,
hutches or breakfronts can be illuminated
internally with low voltage lights on the
underside of shelves to light up collections
and china,” says Blitzer.
Portable lighting, or table lamps, also plays
an important role in the dining
room area. “Accent lamps on breakfronts
or etageres or two great buffet lamps
with unique shades can help create just the
right mood for that special meal
or occasion when the dining room is being
utilized,” says Vandia.
Other options include recessed or tract lighting
above buffets or breakfronts. Miniature low
voltage pendants suspended three feet above
the buffet offer a more contemporary look,
while tall, thin candlestick lamps on either
end are more traditional.
Top Tips for Lighting Dining Rooms
The American Lighting Association offers
the following tips for lighting a
delightful dining room.
FIRST STEP: A chandelier in the middle of
the room defines the space. Choose
that fixture first, then work out with accent
lights.
HANGING AROUND: Choose a chandelier with
a diameter 12” less than width of
table. The bottom of chandelier should be
30” above table.
TALL ORDERS: For ceilings nine feet or higher,
consider a two-tier style
chandelier to fill the space from the fixture’s
top to the ceiling.
DIMMER SHIMMER: Always use a dimmer on dining
room lights. “Light becomes warmer as
it is dimmed,” says Dan Blitzer, American
Lighting Association Continuing Educator.
HOME WORK: For those who use the dining room
as a study area, consider
bringing in a portable study lamp to brighten
up the workspace. “Overhead
lighting may work well for general studies,
but in depth or close work
demands more light,” says Blitzer.
GET SMART: So-called “smart”
dimmers, driven by microprocessors offer
convenience. “When you have several
layers of light, smart dimmers can be set
to various ambiences. Press one button for
dining, another for lighting up
homework, another for party-time.
THE LAYERED LOOK: Use multiple layers of
light in the dining room.
Chandeliers provide the central focus. Accent
lights on either side of the
chandelier and at the room’s perimeter
brighten things up. Accessory lights on
and/or over other furniture pieces fill in
the background.
TABLE THIS: Table lamps add a soft, humanizing
touch to a dining room. Display them on a buffet or breakfront.
A DINING AREA HAS TO PROVIDE A SOOTHING SPOT FOR LARGE GATHERINGS AND MORE INTIMATE DINNERS. SET UP YOURS FOR MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY AND MAXIMUM ENJOYMENT
A dining space has to be able to host a nice evening dinner for grown ups or a smaller intimate get together, be a good place to relax with the paper in the morning, and also do duty as fun craft or home work space. Even if it’s a formal dining area, you’re likely to enlist it foe other uses between company and special dinners.
The heart of dining lighting, of course, is the light directly over the table. In a formal, traditional setting, a chandelier might preside and it has the advantage of making crystal truly sparkle. Chandelier can be classic or contemporary and are great options, but there are a host of interesting, more casual options on the market sure to match any décor and mood.
LAYERS OF LIGHT
FIRST LAYER: OVERALL LIGHT
Chandeliers/pendant light
Recessed or track lighting
SECOND LAYER: TASK LIGHT
Slide board
THIRD LAYER: ACCENT LIGHT
Lighting for china cabinets
Up lights behind potted plants, large floor urns, etc.
The dining room is definitely the home of traditional light fixtures. As this room proves, sparkle is still in for your formal spots.
The integration of more task and decorative lighting sources in the general lighting plan has had a big impact on lighting design products such as kitchen pendants, corridor wall scones, and recessed lighting in the living and bedroom areas.
In dining rooms, state of the art low voltage monorail systems accommodate a wide range of [fixtures] and accomplish various tasks.
Families of products have become trendier, i.e., pedants that match or complement surface wall/ceiling products.
Traditional class: An impressive fixture hung over the table in this traditional dining room creates a stunning focal point for the rest of the space.
START ABOVE THE TABLE, shopping for an ample size fixture. In an average size dining room, a light looks shrimpy unless it’s 18-20 inches across. Also, hang it appropriately. With an 8-foot ceiling, most fixtures should be 30-33 inches above the table. Position the fixtures 3 inches higher for every additional foot of ceiling height.
ADD AMBRIENCE and fill in shadows on faces with additional lighting. Small lamps, such as tall slender candle stick versions, not only provide task lighting for buffet tables but also add valuable side lighting. Or add sconces on each side or at other strategic points in the room. Freestanding up lights tucked into the corners (behind a large plant is especially nice) can also add good lighting at a different level.
CLASSIC OR CONTEMPORARY.No matter your style or the size of your dining room the market for lighting options has exploded. Add flair to your room with unique light fixtures that pump up the room design.
THINK WERATILE when choosing a light for over the table. Make sure it’s on a dimmer and is 150-300 watts. (It’s a good idea, in fact, to put all lights on dimmers to have as much control as possible over light levels.) sparkle from an intricate chandelier will bounce light around the room, too. If you don’t have dimmers, consider turning off the overhead lights for a more intimate evening, with candles on the table and soft light from wall sconces.
PUT ON A SHOW with clever parings. While the accent lights on the slide boards in this space are more impressive and substantial than in most dining rooms, the duo adds a dramatic statement to eclectic collection of table, chairs, and swirling chandelier. Lamps allow enough glows for a buffet along the long table, while placing a dimmer on the chandelier switch enables the room to go from bright to intimate with the flick of a switch.
TODAY DINNING ROOM FIXTURES are considered décor to pull the room together. Recessed lighting above the table adds style, and lighting manufacturers are coming out with small, high powered lights to offer minimal ceiling presence with maximum light output.
There is a market shift to more energy-efficient options such as compact fluorescent down lights that are energy star qualified or that satisfy California’s Title 24 requirements.
Energy efficient lighting is “in” everywhere, as is recessed lighting.
Comfort coupled with elegance is a stand out on the style scene; watch for crystals and fabric.
Fixtures with the appearance and glow of candles allow for high wattage bulbs and no fire risks.
Watch for LED everyplace you see light fixtures, from task to accent, such as dining room cabinets.
Look for a more upscale look and energy efficiency.
Traditional multi-tier fixtures continue to dominate the lighting market.
Families and fixtures integrate the décor of multiple rooms.
Most home office spaces multitask with dedicated desk space for a computer and bill paying, as well as more general use areas both with a variety of ambient and task lights.