The short answer: choose dining room lighting by the table, not the room. A round table suits one generous pendant or chandelier centred above it; a long rectangular table suits two or three pendants in a row, or a single linear piece. Hang the bottom of the light roughly 75–90cm above the tabletop, and keep it on a dimmer.
Step 1: Start with the table shape
Round and square tables
A single centred light is almost always right. As a working rule, look for a diameter of around half to two-thirds of the table's width — large enough to read as a statement, small enough that nobody leans around it. Multi-shade alabaster pieces such as the Araco Lumière Frozen Mist Alabaster Chandelier (£1,369) and Eclipse Alabaster Chandelier (£1,339) suit this shape well.
Rectangular and oval tables
Spread the light along the length of the table. Two pendants suit a six-seater; three suit an eight- to ten-seater. Space them evenly and keep each one roughly 30cm in from the table ends so the light falls on the plates, not the floor. Mid-size alabaster pendants such as the Frozen Nexa (£649) or Frozen Ember (£909) repeat well in a row.
Step 2: Get the height right
Hang the lowest point of the light around 75–90cm above the tabletop. Lower than that and it blocks sightlines across the table; higher and the light spreads into the room and loses intimacy. In a room with a high ceiling, choose a larger or longer piece rather than raising the drop — the light should still sit in that 75–90cm band.
Step 3: Choose the material for the mood
- Natural alabaster diffuses light through the stone itself, giving a soft, warm glow with visible veining. It flatters faces and food, which is why it is so widely specified for dining rooms. Read our alabaster lighting buying guide.
- Crystal and glass scatter light and suit more formal or evening-led rooms. See the Araco Lumière Radiant collection.
- Sculptural metal pieces become the focal point of the room in their own right — this is where CTO Lighting excels.
Step 4: Decide how much of a statement you want
Quiet luxury: alabaster pendants
The Araco Lumière Frozen range is made from genuine natural alabaster with brass detailing, and is made to order at 6–8 weeks. For a larger single piece, the Frozen Fold Alabaster Pendant Light (£1,059) and Frozen Vox (£1,159) hold their own over a full-size table.
The showpiece: CTO Lighting
CTO Lighting is a British designer lighting brand known for sculptural chandeliers and pendants. Over a dining table, the CTO Lighting Artes Pendant (£2,384) is a focused single statement; the Avalon Chandelier (£6,710) is designed to anchor a formal dining room. Read our complete guide to CTO Lighting.
Step 5: Layer the rest of the room
The pendant does the work over the table, but a dining room still needs softer light at the edges for the end of an evening. A pair of wall lights either side of a sideboard or mirror does this — see luxury wall lights — and our guide to layering lighting in a luxury interior covers the full scheme.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing a light by photograph alone — always check the diameter against your table.
- Centring the light on the room rather than the table.
- Skipping the dimmer. Dining light needs to work for homework at 5pm and dinner at 9pm.
- Using cool white bulbs. Warm white (2700–3000K) is kinder to food and skin.
For designers and projects
Araco Interiors is a BIID Industry Partner and supports interior designers, developers and hospitality projects with project-led pricing and specification support on lighting schemes. Apply for a trade account or email trade@aracointeriors.com.
Frequently asked questions
How high should a pendant light hang above a dining table?
Aim for the bottom of the light to sit roughly 75–90cm above the tabletop, whatever the ceiling height.
How big should a dining room chandelier be?
A useful rule is about half to two-thirds of the table's width for a single central light.
How many pendants should go over a rectangular table?
Two for a six-seater, three for an eight- to ten-seater, spaced evenly along the table.
Is alabaster good for dining room lighting?
Yes. Natural alabaster diffuses light through the stone, giving a warm, flattering glow that suits dining and entertaining.
Where can I buy alabaster dining lights in the UK?
Araco Interiors sells the Araco Lumière range of natural alabaster pendants and chandeliers online with free UK delivery. Browse alabaster lighting.
Shop the edit: Pendant Lights · Chandeliers · Alabaster Lighting · CTO Lighting. Use code LUMIERE10 for 10% off Araco Lumière.