One single custom linear fixture with supplemental recessed lights on different dimmer switches. There’s nothing wrong with candlelight either for formal dinners that large. If you wouldn’t use candles, don’t use crystal. It’s pretentious and dissonant. And really hard to clean.

You will get additional helpful advice if you post a thread in design dilemma and decorating threads. A couple of interior designers hang out there.

We use candles quite often and I like the look of a formal dining room. The wiring is already done, I don't want recessed lights in there anyway, although we do have them in many of the other rooms. It's not pretentious... I'm not trying to impress anyone, it's just the look I like.

GN Builders, thanks for the measurements... what about height? I don't mean how high off the table, but do you think it matters if the fixtures themselves are a taller design or not?

How tall are is the ceiling in the room?

If you search blogs some say for an 8' ceiling the height from the table is around 30-34" for an 8' ceiling, for higher ceilings they usually add 3" for every foot.

IMO this is a matter of personal preference. I personally would never put a chandelier at that height because it's right on top you when you sitting down and its in your face when you standing and trying to talk or pass something across the table.

The ceiling in my dining room 17' high, my light is 5'7 from the table and it's perfect.

If you tell me your ceiling height and the table size I will give you a visual how it will look with a few different heights in relation to a person standing next to the table.

I believe you need to consider exactly how large (even extended) a table you are able to easily (and comfortably) seat the largest number of folks in your dining room. cpartist (who frequently posts here) certainly would be able to offer suggestions.

GN Builders L.L.C

The OP wrote, "The dining room measures 18'x13'. ... We have 9' ceilings."

Yes, measurements are in the post... we will get as large a table that we can find to fit in that room, most likely 10'

@ jrbwalley

Here is an image to give you an idea. This is your size room with a 10' table with 2-24" diameter lights hanging down from the ceiling 36". The guy standing is about 6'1" tall and the standing women is about 5'9.

This 2nd image shows, top numbers is the light size from the ceiling and the lower numbers is the distance from the table to the light.

Good luck I hope it helps!

Thanks GN Builders, that is very helpful! 24" looks a little small to me, do you think I could go up to 26 or 28 or is that too big? And wow, 17' ceilings, I would love to see a picture if you have one!

@jrbwalley Sorry, I forgot to resize the lights (fathers day, had one to many lol), they should be 30-31" here is the update with a 30" light being 34" from the ceiling.

Here is one light being 34" from the ceiling and one 30" from the ceiling. IMO 30" from the ceiling is the ideal size, not to high and not to low and and when people stand up the light is just above them.

This an image of my dining room

When purchasing a whole house full of light fixtures, my local showroom usually beats online prices while supplying expert advice, real time displays, fixtures prepped for taller ceilings. bulbs properly sized. etc.

I spent hours at our local showroom and ultimately was told that there are so many light fixtures, the best thing to do was look online. The choices these days seems almost endless, and prices really vary from place to place - but I've found better prices online for everything so far.

The recommended size is minimum 33% of the table length, so if you are getting two chandeliers it should be 33% of half the table length each.

you can visit www.GalileeLighting.com for more lighting ideas.

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