You’ve thought for years about buying a new dining room set, and once you’ve finally done it, you can’t wait for it to arrive so that you can put everything in its place. You have a new table, chairs, and perhaps even a sideboard on the way, but have you considered how everything will look with your current dining room? At The Light Center in Fort Collins, we can help you find the latest trends in dining room lights, including chandeliers, wall sconces, and more.
Choosing a Chandelier
The chandelier serves as the focal point of the dining room. It can also be a statement piece that draws the eye as soon as someone enters the space. Whether you want an elaborate, elegant fixture or something a bit more minimal, it’s important to know what size of light you need. A chandelier that’s too big for the space can overwhelm the room and make everything appear smaller by comparison. On the other hand, a fixture that’s too small won’t feel right within the space, and likely won’t provide enough ambient illumination.
When it comes to hanging the chandelier above your new dining table, it’s important to leave enough clearance so that people don’t accidentally bump their head on the fixture when they sit down or stand up. They also need to be able to see the person sitting across from them, and a chandelier that’s too low will impede that line of sight. The standard rule is to hang the light 30 to 36 inches above the table surface to allow for adequate clearance. If your ceiling is higher than 8 feet, then you can hang the chandelier 3 inches higher for every extra foot (i.e. if the ceiling is 9 feet high, hang the fixture 33 to 39 inches above the table).
Accent Lighting
Every room in your home needs accent lighting, and the dining room is no exception. Wall sconces above your new sideboard can help brighten the space when you have guests over and you’re using the sideboard for drinks or appetizers. Sconces placed around the perimeter of the room help bring lighting to the middle of the space, and when placed on dimmers, can help you create the perfect mood for formal dining.
Track fixtures can also provide accent lighting, especially in spots where you have artwork on display. That beautiful painting that you bought several years ago that’s been in storage since the day you purchased it? Hang it in your new dining room, add new track lighting, and show it off for all to see!
Find New Lighting Today
If your new dining room set is on its way, or you already have it in place, come to The Light Center today to find new lighting. We have a fantastic selection of chandeliers, sconces, track lights, and more, and our staff can help you select the best options based on your budget and your style preferences. Our showroom is open Monday through Saturday, and we’d love to work with you!