What size lamp above your dining table?
The most common mistake with a pendant lamp above the dining table is choosing one that is too small. In the shop a 40 cm shade looks substantial, but above a 220 cm table it disappears. Below you will find the rule of thumb, a table per table size, and what to do if your table is round or you want several lamps.
The rule of thumb: one third of the table length
Take the length of your tabletop and divide it by three. That is roughly the width or diameter your lamp can have. For a 180 cm table that gives 60 cm, for a 240 cm table 80 cm.
Why one third? Because the lamp is then large enough to fill the tabletop visually, but narrow enough to leave space at both ends. Go wider than half the table and the lamp starts to dominate, making the table feel smaller than it is.
Table: which size for which table
| Table | One lamp | Several lamps |
|---|---|---|
| 120 cm | 35 to 45 cm | not needed |
| 160 cm | 45 to 55 cm | 2 x 25 cm |
| 180 cm | 50 to 60 cm | 2 x 30 cm |
| 220 cm | 65 to 75 cm | 3 x 25 cm |
| 260 cm | 80 to 90 cm | 3 x 30 cm |
| 300 cm | a bar or linear fitting | 3 x 35 cm |
Round tables
For a round table, start from the diameter and take roughly half. A round table of 130 cm therefore calls for a lamp of 60 to 70 cm. A round shape above a round table almost always works; a long bar above a round table almost never.
Several lamps side by side
Two or three smaller lamps in a row give a looser, more informal look than one large fitting. Keep 30 to 40 cm between them, measured edge to edge, and keep at least 30 cm from each end of the table. Hang them at exactly the same height, otherwise it shows straight away.
And the height?
Allow 75 to 85 cm between the tabletop and the bottom of the lamp. That is low enough to keep the light together and high enough to keep looking at each other across the table.
Still unsure?
Send us a photo of your dining room with the size of the table, and we will think along with you. Or visit our showroom in Arnhem and see the lamps lit above a real table. That saves a lot of guesswork.
View all lighting for above the dining table
Back to the lighting guide
