One of the questions I get asked a lot from Dining Room professionals is, “How important is it to point the dining room lights up or down?” There’s a simple answer and a complex answer. Let me start by saying that when it comes to traditional dining room decorating the most important part of the room is the main table. That’s where the real action is.
The traditional dining room table set the tone for the entire room. You want everything to flow perfectly into one another and into the larger theme of traditional dining room decorating. So it’s very important that you establish that first. Once you’ve done that then you can play around with some other decorative touches here and there. But the main thing is that the main light source has to be the center of attention.
But how do you achieve this in traditional dining room decorating? This is where things like, Recessed Lighting and Table Lighting come into play. In traditional dining room decorating the use of centerpieces and table lamps is very important. The reason for that is not only does it help center the room but it also gives the illusion of having more space. You don’t have to over do it with table lamps and other decorative lighting.
Another traditional approach is the use of dimmers. These can be battery operated or plug in and can really create a great atmosphere. Just turn them on low and watch your place shimmer and light up. Just like with table lamps if you get the right kind of lights then this creates a very nice ambiance.
Now as far as the point of lighting goes, traditional dining room decorating usually revolves around two methods, Accent Lighting and Spread lighting. Accent lighting focuses light on a small area either up against a wall or next to an object. Spread lighting aims lights over a larger area and is often spread across the room. Either way, when using these lights you will want to create an even light color tone. This is achieved by either putting in several smaller lights or by using different intensities for each light.
Another important thing to consider when using Dining Room Lights is ambiance. We’ve all been to a dinner party or gathering where all the attention was focused on a central point or focal point. It’s that attention that makes a room feel inviting and warm. If you are trying to create a more formal mood then you’ll want to light with more accent lighting, spread the light over more of the room or perhaps use multiple lights.
When you’re working on color schemes, it helps to think about how the different components of your design are going to work together. For instance if you have a large round table in your dining room that has a lot of leaves then you might want to keep the color palette the same throughout the room. Or you can get really wild and use lots of blues and greens. The only way to decide is by trial and error. Try as many things as possible until you find the look you love most. Remember that your dining room will be with you for a long time so it’s worth spending the extra money to make it perfect for you and your future generations to enjoy.
So should dining room lights are pointed up or down? It all really depends on what you are trying to accomplish with the lighting. And remember, you are the one that will have to live with the decision for the rest of your life! Good luck with whatever you choose!