There's nothing like a great chandelier or pendant light hanging over a dining room table to really bring the room to life. But there are a couple things to keep in mind when hanging it.
Size Matters
If your dining room is smaller than 10' x 10', look for lights that measure 17" to 20" diameter.
If your room is around 12' x 12', a 26" or 27" light would be appropriate.
If your room is in the 14'-18' range, look for light that measures 24" to 36" in diameter.
The Right Height
The light you hang over your table needs to be hung high enough to not block the view, but low enough to effectively light up your tabletop. Typically, dining room fixtures are hung 30"-36" above the surface of the table.
The Bright Stuff
The total wattage of all of your light fixtures bulbs should be between 200 and 400 watts. That will provide sufficient light, and the perfect amount of ambience too!