The centrepiece of your dining room
A pendant light above the dining table does more than just provide light. It helps set the mood, so it's worth choosing a design that suits your table and the rest of your interior. The shape, material and hanging height all affect how the light falls on the table and how comfortable it is to sit underneath.
How high should you hang it?
As a general guide, hang your pendant light 80 to 100 cm above the tabletop. This gives you good light for eating without getting in the way of conversation across the table. Most pendant lights have an adjustable cable, so you can set the height to suit your table and ceiling. If you hang it too high, more of the light will spread around the room instead of falling directly onto the table.
Which size suits your table?
Consider the size and shape of your table when choosing a pendant light. Above a long table, a wider fitting or a multi-light pendant helps spread the light along its length. For a round or square table, a single pendant centred above it is often a good choice. You could also hang several cord pendants at different heights for a more varied look.
Which style should you choose?
A closed shade directs the light down onto the table, making it a practical choice for dining. Glass pendant lights with amber glass create a warm glow and show off the filament bulb, while fabric shades soften the light. For a versatile option that works with a wide range of interiors, consider a black pendant light.
Choosing the right bulb and brightness
Warm white light (around 2700K) creates a cosy atmosphere around the dining table. Dimmable lighting is particularly useful, allowing you to brighten the room for meals and dim the lights afterwards. A 3-step dimmable pendant light lets you adjust the brightness using your ordinary wall switch, without needing a separate dimmer. Most pendant lights use an E27 bulb fitting. The bulb fitting and size you need are always listed in the product details.
