Modern pendant lights above the dining table

The need for pendant lights in the kitchen

There is no home without a kitchen, just as there is no kitchen without lighting, so pendant lights above the dining table are necessary for the pleasant atmosphere for all family members or guests. Next to the living room, the dining room is the central place in the home where family and friends gather to spend time together over a meal. Therefore, apart from delicious food, the dining room is also a place where we chit -chat and catch up with our family. Of course, gatherings would not be possible without a dining table, so the choice of the light for the dining table and dining room in general is also important. In order to create a pleasant atmosphere, it is necessary to plan the lighting well. The lighting is not only one of the necessary pieces of kitchen furniture, but also a decorative element of the dining room. A well-lit kitchen and good pendant lights above the dining table bring the pleasure of staying in such a space. 

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The dining table requires lamps above the table that provide adequate light, not only for eating but also for other activities. It is important that everyone at the table is under dim light, and that the choice of lamps is such that they are above the eye line and do not obscure the view of the person sitting opposite the other side.

Distance between dining table and pendant lights

Pendant lights above the dining table require proper mounting. Accordingly, lights set too high can appear dimmed, while low set lights can cause a fire hazard or block the view from the opposite side of the table. Lamps should also not obstruct the view of the work surface. If you have chosen chandeliers for lighting in the kitchen, keep in mind that they must not hang at lengths of over 25 cm for a standard ceiling height. This way you will avoid an unnatural look. No matter what type of pendant lights are above the dining table, the distance from the top of the table to the base of the lamp should be up to 80cm.

Design solutions in the lighting above the dining table

When it comes to arranging the space, it seems that the lighting solutions have become the most creative ones. Kitchens are no exception, so pendant lights above the dining table have become a demanding task since there is so much to choose from. The development path of design solutions for the lighting in the kitchens and dining rooms is more and more innovative year after year, so these rooms are becoming the most inspiring and creative next to the living room.

Let’s now recall the kitchen chandeliers, which are not as intensively used in modern kitchen interiors as before. Classic chandeliers are slowly replaced by various types of lighting offering a choice of the most diverse materials, shapes, and light intensity. Chandeliers are placed so that they are above the dining table or kitchen island. It is worth mentioning that without chandeliers as a source of light above the dining table, it is not possible to work in large kitchens, where there is a separate part intended for the dining table.

Kitchen chandeliers are not suitable for small kitchens, and, of course, they will not be able to illuminate all distant corners, but you can combine them with other lighting. If you often organize dinners with friends, socializing will certainly be an absolute pleasure with a unique chandelier above the dining table which will cast discreet rays of light throughout the dining room and delight your guests.

Source:ideal home.co.uk

Pendants or hanging lamps are considered ceiling jewelry. Pendant lights above the dining table offer various design solutions. At the same time, such lighting also illuminates kitchen islands and counters, and in addition to dining rooms, pendant lights can be used in offices, bedrooms, or hallways with high ceilings.

Pendant lights above the dining table usually contain individual bulbs hung on a bar or a rope directing light towards the dining table. Pendant lights above the dining table are often height-adjustable, so you can always have the proper lighting.

Glass pendant lighting

Types of light bulbs in pendant lighting

As for the types of light bulbs, you can choose lamps with integrated LEDs or traditional light bulbs. The installation of a dimmer enables you to adjust the intensity of lighting in the dining area, and in addition to conventional phase dimmers, dimming via the application is also possible.

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Choice of lighting according to the size of the kitchen

The dining room should always have an effective range of lighting. Installing lighting in a smaller dining room is especially important. A good thing is that you can visually enlarge it with a good choice of chandeliers, lamps, and light bulbs.

The size and shape of the kitchen determine the type and arrangement of lighting.

Pendant lights above the dining table need to fit with the table design, so round hanging lamps look beautiful above a round table. In contrast, there are lamps in geometric shapes or an elongated lamp model that go perfectly with a rectangular table. Apart from the fact that the lighting in the dining room depends primarily on the shape and size of the table, it will also depend on the amount of natural light and whether the kitchen has an open-space concept. As the dining table is the central motif in the dining room, it is best to place pendant lights above the dining table centrally, or even two to three light bulbs along the entire length of the table. If there is a shortage of sockets, flexible spotlights on light railings are suitable because they can be dimmed up to the point where the light is barely noticeable.

Once we illuminate the dining table, our “job” isn’t finished yet. We are uncertain about so many things: the intensity of the bulbs, about direct or indirect light, that is, whether it will be illuminated by one strong or more multiple weaker bulbs. Before buying any lighting, you need to be well informed about the appropriate type of bulbs, wattage, and lumen.

The general rule is that the round table will be lit brighter by a direct light bulb or chandelier with one stronger one, and rectangular or elliptical tables have more different lighting options. In both cases, here at Zenqdesigns we offer a rich assortment of state-of-the-art pendant lights.

Source:manufacturer.lighting

Pendant lights above the dining table should have a light close to the natural light so the colors of the sets on the table and the food on plates are the same.

Strong bulbs in the chandelier increase the heat and cause an unpleasant reflection of light off the table. To better illuminate the table surface and objects on it, it is better to place a lampshade that will give the desired effect even with a weaker bulb and that will light the table surface. In contrast, a soft light will illuminate the table's edges and the space around it, not disturbing the people sitting under it. When dining, the light should be directed directly at the table, and for more intimate occasions, you should reduce the amount of lighting.

If the dining room is a seperate room, you should “help” the chandelier with appropriate wall lamps.

Large kitchens may need more pendant lights hung in clusters or rows, while small kitchens will only need one tiny pendant light in the right place. In a large open-space kitchen, a series of hanging lamps can be used to allow light to spread throughout the space. If you are looking for pendant lights for high ceilings, check the maximum total height of kitchen appliances to make sure it hangs low enough.

Smaller kitchens can have dominant pendant lights above the dining table or a series of hanging lamps made of stainless steel or copper.

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Dining lighting adapted to the type of kitchen

Since every home and family is different, there isn’t a one-fit-all solution regarding kitchen lighting. Once you have decided where to put the light and which type of lighting is best for your kitchen, it is necessary to pick the style. You can find style ideas through reputable online magazines such as Vogueliving or Elledecoration.

If your kitchen has a traditional look, choose pendant lights above the dining table that provide the elegant effect. For a country-style kitchen, iron elements are the right choice that bring a retro look to the space. To make the pendant lights above the dining table genuinely authentic, you can complete the interior with reduced lighting or recessed lighting. Furthermore, the glass details perfectly suit any style, whereas the copper pendant lights catch everyone's eye . You can find inspiration for some of the ideas here. (click here)

Source: abiinteriors.com.au

An ultra-modern kitchen should have bold lighting that attracts attention. You can choose some lighter shades of stainless steel. Combine lighting with white kitchen appliances, which will allow your lighting to stand out and offer striking dynamics to your space. The industrial style is also worth considering when talking about pendant lights above the dining table. When it comes to the height difference between the lighting and the work top, the work light should never be too high, so it is best to place it at a distance between 70 and 90 cm from the work top.

Other decorative details for you dining room

As we mentioned some lines ago, apart from having a practical function, pendant lights are inevitably aesthetic and decorative elements, too. As such, there is no reason not to back them up with some other creative details that will liven up your dining room.

Pendant lights teamed up with decorative elements

Just because a prime function of the dining room is to eat there, it doesn’t mean it can’t get a more personalised, or even more artsy look. Let’s see what other decorations can work wonders with pendant lights and level up the look of your dining room.

Wall art

If the size of the dining room allows, you can almost always decorate it with canvases with simple motifs, which can often show fruit, treats or some other food motif. 

Pots on the table

Rattan baskets for storage

Plate coasters

To make your dining table look less dull while eating, you can get some round or square plate coasters. Not only will they brighten up your table, but they add up to a more cosy eating experience. 

Cutlery

Beautiful dining sets always require appealing cutlery. Today, their selection is enormous, from colors to contemporary shapes. Of course, there is also a more traditional,old-style cutlery so you whatever your preference might be, you’ll definitely be able to find what you are looking for

Dining sets

Glassware is especially effective in a traditionally designed space because it provides a reflective glare. Dining set combinations nowadays tend to have a somewhat marble look, while you can never go wrong with black and white varieties; they are always in trend.

Clocks

The emotional impact of lighting on the dining area

Proper lighting is known to improve mood. So, we can say that while dining, all of our senses are awakened, not just our taste buds. Just as sunlight increases the feeling of warmth, so the interior space should be filled with so-called healthy lighting. If the lighting at home is more intense, it can lead to both positive and negative emotions. A harsh light can create discomfort while we are in a room, while a dim light leads to relaxation. Light is one of the most powerful stimuli, which affects our impression of a room, but overall, it affects the everyday general condition of people. It is proven that there is a link between health and being exposed to a healthy light.

Let us remind ourselves that too much artificial light can negatively affect mental health, that poor lighting can contribute to the symptoms of depression, but also that uncoordinated artificial lighting often causes headaches and migraines. It would help if you were also moderate when it comes to lighting in kitchens and dining rooms. For some, intense lighting with too many different light modes is ideal in the kitchen. On the other hand, adequate pendant lights above the dining table are quite a good choice of lighting. In addition to providing a modern aesthetic detail, they create a pleasant atmosphere for everyone sitting at the table. Let's not forget that lighting affects not only the amount of food we eat, but also the speed at which we eat and the choice of food. Moreover, in well-lit kitchens you eat faster, while in low light you will eat more slowly.

Source: home-designing.com

We will agree that lighting design creates a kind of light art, while modern design solutions and pendant lights above the dining table allow lighting to change the look of the kitchen and interior and the mood of the people who live in them.