AIBU to want a pendant light!

[BlueFootedBoob]

We're into the final few weeks of a big renovation project, and are trying to finalise lighting and hitting a bit of a wall.

We're going to have an L shaped kitchen/dining space - the dining space has south facing bifold doors, and the kitchen sits perpendicular to it/into the tail of the L.

We're going to have spotlights and LED lights under the cupboards, but we're stuck on if we need/can fit a light for over the dining table - ceiling is 7ft high & husband thinks this is too low to have a pendant light.

I think this light (which can be adjusted to 35cm drop) would look fab over the table (and so away from his head - he's 6ft) as a focal feature as well as a light but he can't see how/why we'd use it 🤦🏻‍♀️

Have inc v rough plan (as know I find them useful in these sorts of post!) and the light I like!

IABU = just stick to spot lights
ANBU = yes to light (& welcome to inc different light ideas!)

If they are directly over the table I can’t see the issue, it’s not like he will hit his head on them because he can’t stand where the table is. Our dining table light is quite low, it’s only a minor issue if we move the table for decorating or some other reason, it’s fine the rest of the time.

Maybe think about restaurants you’ve been to with pendants over the table and get him to remember how that works out okay.

Definitely need a separate light over the table, makes it feel separate. Also make sure it has a dimmer switch as 3 lights can be very bright.

I wouldn't bother. We couldn't have ceiling lights as our table is under a roof lantern so I had wall lights so I could have different lighting options. Waste of time.. never used and wish I had the wall space for prints or shelves.

I like those! Although I hate spotlights so would always go for some sort of pedant light.

We moved house and the kitchen and bathrooms are all spotlight. I find them oppressively bright if I'm under one but then not bright enough if I'm between them so when we redo the kitchen I'll be having them all ripped out!

The lights will be at 7 foot minus 14 inches = five foot ten. So shining directly at eye level when he is standing, cleaning the table (would hit his forehead on them when wiping the centre) or setting out plates.

When he sits down, he'll be around three foot higher than the seat height (which is about 18 inches), so he'll be sat at about 4 foot 6. The lights would be shining at their brightest just above and in front of his eyes. And then as he stands up or leans forward, they will get more intense.

Don't get dangly lights.

I have a dangly light at that ceiling hight, total non issue for stbxh unless I move the table- then he's guaranteed to walk into it. It's on a separate circuit and on a dimmer, it lights above and below but not to the side and has cloudy galss below so not bright bright. He's never commented on it shining in his eyes, and believe me he would have complained if he had thought to.

Stbxh is 6'3" BTW.

I have a standard height room ( 7/7.5ft) and have a dangly pendant over the dining table

It was a lot longer when bought but height adjustable

Dining room but if a mess due to party 😅

Dimmer switch ok but they will be LED lights so please make sure you get a proper dimmer for LED

Are average ceilings really only 7ft?! DH is 6'4 and that seems low

My husband is 6’4 and we have a light fitting above our dining table that he would walk into if in open space - it’s fine , he’s not managed to hit his head on it yet

Take the lights off and put your prints up and have the walls your heart desires 😃

We have spotlights in our ceiling in both the kitchen and dining sections. Never use them. We use the lights under the cabinets and also wall lights at the back of the room along with lamps.

Definitely have some lovely pendant lights!

I hate seeing spotlights absolutely everywhere on new builds and renos - less is more is definitely true when it comes to spots.

Pendant wins!! DH won over by builder saying the room would look a bit clinical without a feature light!

He's also suggested having the light longer so it doesn't spoil DH's sight lines into the kitchen - let me know if I should post a pic once it's up (will be a few weeks!)

We had the same argument about lighting, and I just went ahead and got one I liked. There are loads of options on https://letslighting.co.uk/collections/ceiling-lights , including some that look great and don’t hang too low, which was my partner’s issue. It worked out in the end because once it was up, he admitted it made the room feel cosier and more finished.

Have you thought about height-adjustable pendant lights, OP? These were big in the 1960’s and have gone through a bit of a renaissance recently. The idea is that you lower them while you’re eating, then raise them when you’re done, leaving an unobstructed area above the dining surface for DH to clear the dishes and clean the surface after meals😉