If you could move the wall unit to a larger space, it would help your dining space. However, if you can't, here's how to decide on the chandelier diameter and height. Measure the length plus the width of the space- this equals a good diameter for the chandelier. Then, measure your ceiling height including just over the tabletop. Give yourself 2.5"-3" per foot of height, so if your ceiling over the middle is 12' high, a 30"-36" height chandelier could work. It should hang 30-36" above the tabletop, plus an additional 2-3" per foot of height of the ceiling over 8'. Be sure to center it over the table. The rug is actually a bit small, because when you try to pull out chairs, they will fall off the edge of it.

Great advice - Ceiling is so high I can't even measure it-but I will get this accomplished this weekend! Wall unit has to stay - if I put it up against the back wall it takes up too much "table" space. Will definitely center over table when it gets hung - previous owner was rather tall and just lifted this chandelier as high as he could so it was out of the way. Any design suggestions? Should I keep it light and airy so room doesn't close in? Or can I do a shade chandelier?

What to do about rug? It's 5 x 7 - if I went 8x10 it would cover my brand new floor so that is not an option. Do I have another option?

Everything in the room looks nice. Try to find a rug in between 5 X 7 & 8 X 10. They do carry off sizes. Also the light needs to hang about 36" above the center of the table. It would be better if you could find a rectangular one with crystals hanging a bit below the wheat colored shade. Keep looking. What a find on the art!

I never would have guessed wheat colored. What an interesting choice! Maybe I am pulling my hair out trying to be too matchy matchy! Can you post a pic or two? It would really help me to visualize as I really must get this done!

A nice solution for lighting could be Ingo Maurer suspension lamp called Zettel'z 6, to fit better as possibile the space in height.

http://www.ingo-maurer.com/it/prodotti/zettelz-6

For the floor, better without the carpet.

This is a lovely dining area. There are so many rectangles going on in this space - the floors shape, the cabinets, the table, that I would do a spherical lighting fixture rather than a rectangular or square. There are also so many lines criss-crossing in the doors to the cabinets, that I would try to contrast that with something that has more circular movement, circular, globe, sphereical feel rather than something with linear arms or intersecting lines. ( I think I'm doing a terrible job of describing this. I posted a picture below that hopefully conveys the feel.) I don't think a double shade pendant situation is going to be right for this space.

I would go for a lighter color rug too so it provides some contrast between your table, floor, and cabinet. Are you familiar with Flor carpet tiles? They would be perfect for this space because you can custom build your own size rug out of individual square and rectangular pieces. Most pictures of Flor carpets tend towards very contemporary, and I think somewhat commercial looking spaces, but the colors, patterns, styles are really endless. Check out the two pics below - they are flor carpets. I have been to their store and played around with options to create rugs that are much more traditional looking than any examples I ever see online. Here is their website. They are quite helpful. You can call, email a picture of your room, and someone will discuss options with you: http://www.flor.com/

I'm curious if your table has an extra board that can make it a bit bigger. If so, I would put the extra board in and arrange the chairs so they are two and two across from each other. I think it will make it look less crowded than having one on each side of the table. I did this in my dining room and it made a huge difference.

Enjoy your newly downsized space. Small often is better!

Flor carpet tiles

If u can move the cabinet n replace it w something skinnier like this buffet it would help n also allow to place great art on that wall above n candle accessories. On the wall where the art is now I would replace w a really large floor mirror. Kinda like this chandelier. There r fancier carpet tiles that u adjust to ure space.

Hi there. I used this fabulous chandelier for one of my clients by Crystorama-the 'Hampton' chandelier. You can see it in my pic.It comes in different sizes and it would look great in your space. Good luck!

I would get rid of the rug. It is further confining the already narrow dining space. Is there an option to put the large storage piece on the back wall and slide the table forward and turn it parallel to the cabinet that way? Hard to tell since I don’t know what the dining area is open to or facing…

As for the light I would go for a square or round shape fixture and stay away from anything long and narrow. I also see either shiny metal or white/bright working best since the space has such dark floors and dark cabinet.

Ok took rug back and put one from old house there for now Love the idea of building a carpet will def look into that This table has leaves underneath that pop up when I need to add two chairs it really quite neat! I never thought of moving China cab to back wall then have table run parallel What an interesting idea! I will explore this tomorrow and let you know! Love the white shade lamp with crystals I am def leaning towards that one! All these suggestions are so thoughtful and spot on Thank you all!

Londonvon,

Love your ideas as well. There is no other space for the China cabinet and since we just had it painted black ( it was blonde oak) and is filled with many sentimental pieces from our wedding 30 years ago I'm afraid it's not going any where. husband will not budge on that having said that, can I still combine some ideas here and open the table, rearrange chairs to sides and still get a floor mirror?

Juliana,

Love the chandelier! Must have chandelier! I can only find it in 14 and 24 inch width I need around 18 to 20. Do you think they have that? looked but no luck---or something similar?

Stop blaming bad ideas on your husband. You live there too! If you want to have a better looking space listen to the above responses.

klekas65,
definitely. there should b enough room if u decide to place chairs on both sides of the mirror. that cabinet gave me a modern vibe that's why I chose the chandelier. the chromes n silver would brighten up the darkness of the cabinet. show us the carpet tile or rug when u get it.

I think that this one is for you :)

Be careful choosing a chandelier. You have a sharply angled ceiling, as do we, and will need a light with a flexible wire or chain. One with a rigid down rod won't hang correctly. We almost ordered a beautiful one, only to realize that the rigid down rod would make it hang wrong.

Lots of great advice Except for nasty joyallen who appears to just be mean. Oh well thanks to all the rest of you who unlike joyallen have positive ideas that I look forward to combining and making the most of! Thanks to all! And rachuba you are so right! A long chain is truly proving to be a challenge!

You both live in your home, and both opinions need to be considered. I'm going though this now, with my husband of 43 years! And there are things that I cannot change, things that I do not want changed, and things we both want that the other doesn't. Compromise! If he insists the cabinet go there, instead of say the living room, ask him why. Even if the answer is "because that's where I want it", you'll know what you have to work with. If you both reach decisions together, even if it is not exactly what one of you wants, you will both be happier in the house. And ultimately, that is what you want, to be happy in your home.

I am ok with China cabinet in dining room Guess I should have said he wants it there and I'm ok with that. We work very well together and quite honestly if I hated it there he would probably give in and move it. But I agree it's all about compromise! I just thought joyallen was out of line and rather rude and I was a bit surprised. rachuba was extremely polite and got her point across with much more diplomacy. I appreciate that!

Ok this is why I love this website! Londonvon, your simple suggestion to move the chairs made a huge difference (at least to my eyes!) in opening up this room. I didn't even need to open up the table, it looks and feels so much better. Put back the old rug for now and honestly I think it may be just fine.. Now on the lookout for a floor-length silver mirror to put on the back wall, and still hunting for chandelier but have settled on a white or silver drum shade with crystals. Unfortunately I went way over budget on kitchen, family room, well actually pretty much redid the whole house after moving in Oct 16. It is really coming along nicely, and I owe it all to you Houzzers! Thank you for taking the time to offer your expertise. It really means a lot to so many of us.

inspiration

inspiration

What about not having a chandelier!? Add some can lights that light the whole area. The space seems small. Maybe removing the light will make the area not so crowded. Also, i like the idea of not having any rugs under dinning tables. Just a crumb collecter.
The shelving on the back wall seems ideal, with the table turned horizontally. Otherwise big mirror would help widen the feel of long and narrow. What is to the left? A post or wall? Good luck :)

There is a half wall attached to a pillar making turning the table impossible . Never considered can lighting.........more to think about.. Love the chandeliers londonvon! Will try to find them on houzz shopping!

Yes? No?

Wayfair has a decent selection of drum & crystal chandeliers in all price points fyi.

Thank you for suggestions but these two are a bit too much for me. I have a 12 foot ceiling so need a chain.

A rug should be 4' wider and longer than your table top to allow 24" all around for chair scoot and sit space, but it shouldn't run into the walls or furniture on the walls, so I'd say you don't have room for a rug here. You could inject more color with small lumbar pillows in each chair and temp wallpaper inside the cabinet. Does it light up? I'd install lights and keep the chandy simple and clean.

Yes we light it up every night - love the look. I would say it's unanimous here - no rug. Never thought that was an option! Love the pillow idea. Maybe take away the rug and find a bling chandelier?

How far in the direction of bling you want to go depends on the style elements in the adjoining room. Definitely no rug, though.

The rug is too small but fine otherwise. The pendant needs to hang much lower closer to the table and be a little larger. I would consider a light that linear and had 3-4 bulbs. The framed art looks great there. Doesn't matter that it was 3 bucks from a garage sale!

That small change with chair placement did make a big difference. I am not too helpful with suggestions but love your wall art and can your you tell me the paint color?

Paint color is Mindful Gray - I did most of the downstairs in this color as all rooms are open to each other. I love it!

Please save me from myself. Is this okay? The great room is attached to this dining room. It has a large gray pit set, very modern room with high ceilings and lots of angles. I think the ceiling in the great room is 20 feet high. The dining room is off to the side - somewhat closed in with a half wall/pillar - ceiling height 12 feet. I thought perhaps this would look nice since there is no "chain" which would be long and perhaps ugly? Anyway I'm losing it over this silly chandelier - can't seem to make up my mind. Help!

Oh this is for the dining room............

Or this one:

Has 10' of wire/cable. Could work.

curious, what chandelier and rug did you choose? Post a pic!

A rectangular table really needs a pendant light that is long in the same axis as the table. With regard to the rug, I would probably have a calm color area rug made up from good carpeting. Many rug stores can edge bind, with cotton webbing or leather. I would take the rug to the perimeter of the dining space in order to define it as a different function than, what I assume, is the adjacent living room.

Regina Andrew Le Chic Chandelier, Gold