Monday, April 6, 2009

Dining Room Lighting Options

The lighting in the dining room should serve many functions.


Activities in the dining room often signify get togethers and formal dinners. However, the lighting needs for the dining room can vary depending on the personality types of the homeowners and the way in which the dining room is used. While the dining room is a place to eat when guests visit, it also serves as a place to do homework or invite the neighbor in for coffee. The lighting possibilities can reflect this multi-faceted place in the home. However, for those who embrace the formality of the dining room, lighting helps set the mood for a number of festive occasions.


Candlelight








Candlelight in the dining room serves those occasions when the effects of light play a role in romance and intimacy. Fortunately, for the person trying to create mood in the dining room a number of options exist. The candle arrangement for this setup can be as simple as a three-candle candelabra. However, would-be decorators can enhance this look by adding items like decorative ivy or maple leaf garland, decorative rocks or pink cones. More modern candle arrangements also find a place. For example, a floating candle arrangement that features candles and soft flowers provides a nice alternative. Finally, while candlelight typically represents romantic intimacy, you can also use candlelight to provide intimacy at a dinner party as well. Candlelight encourages people to both relax a little and to open up.


Track Lighting


Track lighting in the dining room offers a number of advantages, not the least of which is the ability to change the direction of the lights. Track lights positioned above the dining room table provide light for the table while lights positioned at a side buffet table allow the hostess and guests to see the lovely spread of food.


Overhead Lighting


Many dining rooms come outfitted with an adjustable overhead light that hangs from the ceiling. These fixtures may often be quite large and include grand lights like chandeliers. These lights are really suitable for the traditional dining room setup. In terms of the type of decorative element that might come with such a light, you might also see hanging crystals or beads. Older style chandelier-type lights in this setting may come outfitted with real or mock candles and be positioned on a sturdy wrought iron base. This light becomes multifunctional when paired with a dimmer switch. Overhead lights can become the main lighting for the person working on homework or paying the bills at the dining room table. A dimmer light can be paired with candlelight for good effect.

Tags: dining room, candle arrangement, come outfitted, come outfitted with, dining room table