Tips for Lighting Your Dining Table this Christmas

When it comes to Christmas, we all want to make the festive holidays as enjoyable as possible with gorgeous gifts, great food and fun filled games. And as we hit December, most people are starting to put up those decorations around the home. But have you thought about how you are going to decorate your dining table for this year’s fabulous, festive feast?

Good lighting is central to creating the right atmosphere and on special occasions like Christmas, all eyes are on the dining table. Your dining table can really benefit from ambient and decorative lighting as this is how you can really set the mood and tone for your whole dining area.

Check out these top tips to help you make this Christmas really special courtesy of Judy Davison from the Light Company in Swansea.

Choosing the Ceiling Light

Did you know that you can transform your dining table with the right ceiling light? And it’s not just all about the aesthetics. In fact, dining in bright interiors will typically make you eat faster, while dim lighting will cause you to eat slower.

Lighting can even affect our melatonin levels so for example dimmed lighting can create a more relaxed feeling – and you will no doubt want everyone to enjoy themselves around the dinner table.

You will create a clean, contemporary look with a single oversized pendant to draw the eye to your focal point. Combine this with spotlights to give you the option to increase or decrease the task lighting if needed.

Create a Statement piece

Another option is to create a stunning statement piece above your dining table; and varying the number and height of pendants will affect the lumen output (the amount of light in the room) depending on your room size.

You also need to consider the height of your light at eye level, making sure that lights aren't getting in the way of conversation or creating a glare. If you use naked bulbs like in our designs, it’s important to use a warm light so that you don't get blinded when you look up or across the table.

Create interest with variety and height

Depending on your room size you can create some stunning effects by varying pendants at different heights. Mix it up with smaller and larger bulbs or different styles – but don't go too crazy or it can look disjointed.

Build layers of light

All rooms can benefit from varied lighting which helps create a mood but also means the room will work for many different functions. Adding a floor lamp can highlight a corner allowing the main lights to be dimmed.

Adding table lamps to a sideboard or drinks cabinet creates different focal points throughout the room and allowing you to turn them on or off to create an inviting space.

The Light Company

We hope you found these tips helpful. At the Light Company we have a huge range of lights, from pendants and chandeliers to wall lights and lamps, all ideal for creating that perfect, festive feel, The problem is that your guests may never want to leave! See our full range here.