Dining room chandeliers bring elegance to a space and charm to dinner parties. Here are 17 lovely options to inspire your next makeover.
I’ve been searching for a new dining room chandelier this month, but I can’t settle on one because there are so many lovely options out there!
The moment I walked into my house, I knew the shiny brass chandelier from the ’80s would be one of the first things to go. Don’t get me wrong, I’m finally embracing gold & brass these days, but that chandelier every housewife seemed to hang in the ’80s and ’90s has to go. (You’ll find them by the dozen at your local Goodwill. It’s an epidemic, I tell you.)
So in my search for a new light fixture, I’ve collected a wide range of chandeliers. I still can’t narrow it down to JUST one, so maybe you can help by telling me your favorite in the comments. I’ll share some of my picks so you can make an informed choice too.
Actually, once the walls got their dark charcoal gray paint, the original chandelier didn’t look nearly as bad. I’ve even thought about spray painting it or using Rub ‘n Buff to soften the shiny brass, but I’ll leave it up until I save for the chandelier of my dreams.
Psst… want to see which one I picked? Check out the new dining room and chandelier here! And if you’ve never swapped a light fixture before, learn how to change one!
Top Chandeliers for a Dining Room
one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten | eleven | twelve | thirteen | fourteen | fifteen | sixteen | seventeen
I know many of the chandeliers in the graphic above are brass, but lots of them come in other finishes too! So even if you’re not after brass, there’s a good chance another color is available.
Dining Room Chandeliers to Suit Every Home
I tried to cover all kinds of dining room lighting, but I deliberately skipped mid-century modern and sputnik styles because I’d be lying if I said I liked them. Ha! I’ll never hang one in my home, but if that’s your taste, go for it!
1. A Modern Twist on a Traditional Chandelier
When I started looking, I was set on this gorgeous, curvy dining room chandelier. It’s a simple statement piece and fairly modern for my style of home. Still, something about those long, elegant curves keeps pulling me back.
I think it would suit any home, from traditional & classic to more modern styles, even modern farmhouse! It comes in both iron and brass finishes. I bet you can guess which one I’d choose!
2. A Budget-Friendly Classic Chandelier
If you love this look but it’s far beyond your budget, the light above is very similar, though it only comes in black. I’d suggest spray painting it if you want the gold dining room look (or another finish) without spending big bucks!
3. Sweeping Arm Chandelier with Paper Shades
This candelabra chandelier with its gorgeous shades is probably my top pick right now. It takes my breath away! The price isn’t my favorite, so I may need to save for a couple of years before splurging.
It comes in three finishes: antique silver, bronze and hand-rubbed antique brass. I love every candelabra option with shades. There’s also a smaller 4-light version! It’s such a pretty updated traditional look, and I’m all in. (Curious how it looks in my home? Yes, I picked this one!)
4. A Modern, Airy Lantern
We all know this pendant is hugely popular right now. I love it over a dining table, in an entryway or above a kitchen island. There are plenty of knockoffs of this look, including the one I hung in my old foyer. (It’s a great budget knockoff!)
5. A Rustic Farmhouse Chandelier
If you love farmhouse style with a rustic dining table and sliding barn doors, this gorgeous chandelier would be perfect!
The turned wood piece in the center is so pretty, and it pairs beautifully with the whitewashed iron accents on the candelabra arms.
6. A Crystal Glam Chandelier
When I saw this jaw-dropping crystal chandelier against the dark charcoal background, I thought it would look stunning in my newly painted dining room, if I were going for a glam look! I’m sure it’s even more beautiful in person!
If you’re looking for a small dining room chandelier, this one might be the answer! Several of the lights I’ve shared come in different sizes, but this smaller version is only 19″ in diameter and 16″ high. (The small and medium lantern fixtures are pretty compact too!)
Pointers for Hanging a New Dining Room Chandelier
If you plan to swap out your light fixture yourself, you’ll want to know the exact size to buy and where to hang it in relation to your table. Here are a few tips from Circa Lighting:
Leave 30″–36″ between the bottom of the chandelier and the top of the table. Keep the edge of the fixture about 6″ in from each edge of the table.
For a round dining table, the fixture should be between 1/2 and 3/4 of the table’s diameter.
Final Thoughts
I’m still torn between updating the chandelier I already have while I save for the one I truly love, or swapping it for a more budget-friendly fixture. (Psst: I ended up with the one I loved!)
Which light fixture is your favorite? I’d love to hear your picks in the comments!
Click or tap any image below to shop the lights!
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