As a decorator, I’m always dealing with the electrical box that gets automatically centered in the dining room by the builder and then becomes instantly wrong when you add a sideboard or a dining table that isn’t standard. But let’s be real, when you’re planning your new build or renovation, it’s not always practical to have your plan down to the details of exactly where each electrical box needs to go.
There are SO many decisions that need to be made for a build or renovation. And you don’t know what you don’t know when it comes to all the details that need to be managed. But that’s ok! I’ve got you!
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What are the best off center lighting ideas?
So here are the 10 best ideas for off-center lighting when you can’t center a chandelier directly over the dining room table (no rewiring necessary):
1. Asymmetrical Dining Room light: I love the way this pendant (above) layers over the art above the dining table without blocking the view. Notice what really makes it work well is you’re probably always looking at this room from across. This pendant would lose all the impact sideways.
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2. Sculptural interest overhead: For more interest on its own, this one (below) is a fun cloud of orbs positioned up high so it doesn’t need to be perfectly centered.
Lyfairs | Julie Hillman Design (below)
3. Multiple Swag Lights: Options like this one below are flexible on width and placement of each pendant for a huge range of possibilities. Interesting over an island, this could work well in a dining room too.
Alora Lighting (also comes in brass)
4. Swag Pendants: Or a single version like this can be centered over a round table. The little weight is a charming vintage looking detail.
There are many, many different variations of this light fixture (above) which would also work above an island (see them all here). Keep in mind, a light that glows is always better than a metal shade that just creates another spotlight (don’t we all have enough of those in our ceiling) or one with a bare bulb that hurts your eyeballs and does nothing to create atmosphere.
5. Light on a chain: A pendant with a chain works on sloped ceilings and are also perfect to swag because you can fix any link to the ceiling where you want it.
6. Rope Lights take on a whole new meaning when the fixture can be draped like a necklace. You can play around with the height and arrangement of the glowing orbs.
Also comes in one, five and seven lighting configurations
7. Modern 3 arm light: You know that I don’t love black lighting, but this Serge Mouille style light below is a modern classic that transcends the trends.
You can also get similar ones in white and softer finishes like brass or silver. Yes this is centered in this photo but it doesn’t have to be. When it sits higher it just decorates the ceiling.
8. Semi Flush mounts with arms: Really, any semi flush mount with lateral arms makes a good centered light fixture even if the furnishings don’t line up. Here’s another example below.
Mimi & Hill via Visual Comfort
Limitations in the style of light fixture that will work as you can see, is a great example of when we can embrace the limitations. In other words, it can become a creatively productive constraint requiring interesting and beautiful solutions. Light fixture as art piece!
9. Classic Drum light: That said though, if you’d rather pour your creativity into other aspects of your decorating (gallery wall anyone?), you could also install a pretty classic drum shade like this. The light is soft and then it won’t bang your head because it’s not in the right place.
10. Use Lamps instead: And if all else fails, there’s nothing saying you need an overhead light fixture. You could instead pick up a couple of plug in sconces and layer some beautiful lamps on your credenza.
Rechargable lamps are also lovely in the evening. Get them here. I also love this one and this one because they glow.
Or place lamps directly on your dining room table (below). I simply plugged them in behind the table because this dining room is not used that much however you can certainly cut the cords off and purchase rechargable light bulbs here,
A dining room needs mood lighting after all.
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Great post Maria. I have those rechargeable glowy lamps you linked from Amazon and I love them. My bulbs were a little too bright white so I covered the bulb with some beige Italian crepe paper. It’s stretchy thin paper. I fit it over the bulb and secured it with clear tape. It soften the light glow and is perfect now. I could’ve use a piece of cream colored tissue paper but I had the crepe paper on hand.
Good ideas. So far I don’t have that problem. I do have a problem on a wall which is behind where my TV sits on a console table. I had to set the TV in a position that is not centered to the wall. So my dilemma is how to place art on that wall so that it doesn’t look off center. I’m thinking maybe do 3 or 4 pieces scattered out. Right now it is one long narrow picture and it doesn’t look quite right. Any ideas anyone? I would send a picture but I am technically challenged!
Linda, I’d go for “balanced”, as in the visual weight of the art, since symmetrical won’t work with the TV not centered. Play with an odd number of art pieces and trust your eye.
Ok. Thanks so much for the advice! I want something new with some color in it. I have had the same art on that wall for at least 5 years and am ready for a change. I appreciate your answer very much.
I did this on a new build. Hung my mother’s antique brass chandelier in the middle. Now. Can’t fit the table and chairs along with the side board/buffet. Planning on putting it for sale on market place. Oh well.