Lighting plan for dining area

6 years ago

Second guessing myself on the lighting plan for a new house under construction. The sole dining area is just off the kitchen. The kitchen has 6 can lights plus two pendants over the island. My current plan for the dining area is 4 can lights only, no chandelier.

My thinking is that a couple of nice pendant lights over the island would be enough “statement” lighting for the area, which isn’t that large. The kitchen + dining area is approximately 26’x12’. The dining area alone is 12’x12’.

Do you agree? Or would it be better, from an interior design standpoint, to add a chandelier anyway? It may be difficult to perfectly center a chandelier over the dining table.

The kitchen island is seen from the family room, but the dining area is not.

Featured Answer

Aglitter

6 years ago

It sounds to me like you have more than enough lighting already. A chandelier can really clutter up a space unless it is large and airy enough to house one. I would move on to other concerns regarding the decor and perhaps in taking time to shop for light fixtures in other areas where they may already be planned. If you get too many lighting fixtures in an area, you'll end up not using some of them most of the time since having them all on at once would be too much light.

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Comments (9)

Suzanne
Original Author
6 years ago
Thank you. I could take out the can lights in the dining area and do only a chandelier. But I’m thinking that a couple of statement pendants over the island would be enough “statements” in the vicinity, if you know what I mean. I see so many fixtures that I’d love to put over a table, but I’m afraid they just compete with the awesome pendants I want to buy.
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Aglitter
6 years ago
Yes, I can definitely see a competition going on that close together. Plus, you just don't sound like you need that extra light.
Aglitter
6 years ago
@Suzanne If you really wanted to take out the can lights and only do a chandelier, you might be interested in reading this recent article from the New York Times about lighting. Actually, wade through all the comments even more so than reading the article, and you'll see more of some discussion about it. Several commenters say they feel the new homes have been putting in too much overhead can lighting and should be focusing more on more subtle, ambience types of light. Others disagree. Here's the link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/18/realestate/lighting-a-room-simplified.html
Suzanne
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks, Silverlined. That’s a good article. I do think I’ll have plenty of light in any case. The room will have a lot of natural light during the day. If I went with a hanging light over the table it would be mostly for decor. Maybe my question is “Is it okay, from a design standpoint, to not have a light fixture over a dining table?”
nexp
6 years ago
Ditch the cans kn the dining area. Do a simple pendant. Recessed lights shining down create unpleasant shadows on people’s faces and as they keep the ceiling dark, make it look smaller.

In the kitchen area, the recessed lights should be positioned directly over the countertops, not in the aisle. Having the lights in the aisle keeps the counters dark and causes you to block the light when you’re using the counter.
PRO
Galilee Lighting
6 years ago
Hi Suzanne,

Here is another concept for you. Ever consider artisan glass lighting. We have some amazing styles and we give FREE DESIGN SERVICES so we can help with everything all you pay for is the fixtures. Some examples of what we have done below.

Let us know how we can help. www.galileelighting.com | 305-807-8711
PRO
Galilee Lighting
6 years ago
PRO
Galilee Lighting
6 years ago