15 Modern Dining Room Lighting Ideas That'll Shine in 2021

The right light can make or break the look of a room – especially when it comes to the space where you share your meals. From new finishes to up-and-coming shapes and styles, the landscape of dining room lighting trends is ever-evolving. So, if your outdated dining room makes you want to dine and dash, consider using one of these lighting ideas to illuminate and refresh your eating space.

Published October 24, 2019, Updated January 18, 2021

A geometric black matte lighting fixture in a renovated dining room

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Go Geo

Looking for dining room ideas to freshen up your space? The perfect mix of clean, contemporary and unique, geometric light fixtures are taking shape as one of the biggest dining room lighting trends heading into 2021.

oversized round white light fixtures over white table in modern dining room

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The Bigger the Better

Go big and go home. One of the biggest (pun intended) trends in dining room lighting is to opt for oversized fixtures. While oversized lighting works particularly well in a spacious, open-plan area, it makes a bold statement in any room.

wood-and-metal chandelier hanging over wooden dining table and purple velvet chains in white dining room

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All Mixed Up

Speaking of materials, another burgeoning dining room lighting trend is to combine multiple materials for a totally unique and distinctive look. Look for light fixtures that integrate a combination of rustic, natural elements with industrial-inspired metals or glass – for the best of both (or three or four) worlds.

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Back to Black

As Drew and Jonathan Scott showed in this Property Brothers renovation, black light fixtures are fast becoming one of the most covetable dining room lighting trends. Whether matte or glossy, black fixtures offer a sleek, stylish and modern alternative to traditional metallics – making a chic statement. Find more inspiring Property Brothers kitchen transformation trends.

multiple hanging smoked glass pendent lights over wooden dining table in room with brick wall and glass doors

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Smoke Show

Not all glass is created equal: playing with colour, finish and opacity is an increasingly popular way to refresh kitchen and dining room light fixtures. One particularly sophisticated take on this trend? Subtly smoky-shaded glass brings a chic tone to minimalist fixture designs.

delicate glass light fixture hanging over wooden dining table in white room

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Light as Air

Perhaps the most elegant trend in dining room lighting? Deliciously delicate options that seem more like ceiling jewellery than light fixtures. Opt for an ethereal feel with pretty hanging lights featuring touches of crystal and glass the emulate the look of flowing waterfalls.

black hanging light fixture above black dining table in rustic grey dining room

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Contemporary Candelabras

Modern, meet mega classic. One of the more attractive ways to add interest to modern geometric light fixtures is to incorporate nods to the past – like candle-inspired lights – for a fresh look. For more creative ideas, check out our favourite Property Brothers’ dining rooms for the inspired entertainer.

black hanging light with exposed light bulbs in white dining room with wooden table and green plants

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Maximum Minimalist

Understated but never underwhelming, clean-lined minimalist light fixtures – like this eclectic choice favoured by the Masters of Flip team in this Nashville home – continue to trend.

silver and glass pendent light hanging over kitchen island in modern white kitchen

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Slivers of Silver

It’s not all about the gold anymore. The newest trend in metallic is a classic: silver. Whether featuring elements of silver leaf or antique silver finishes, silver kitchen pendant lighting will be swinging into more spaces in the coming year.

black light fixture above set wooden dining table in wood-paneled dining room

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An Open Weave

As an alternative to minimalist and industrial-inspired options, many dining room light fixtures are opting for a more woven feel, with options ranging from wicker-look designs to metal features with weave interpretations.

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A Little More Texture

Texture isn’t just for rugs – more and more dining room light fixtures illuminate the stylish possibilities of incorporating different finishes and multi-bulb designs for elements of texture and dimension – like this DIY version using mason jars. Find more DIY home renos and upgrades you can check off your list this winter.

two white hanging light fixtures over white dining table in modern white kitchen

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All the Little Pieces

Texture comes in many forms. For a more elegant spin on textured kitchen lighting, fixtures are experimenting with multi-panel and multi-piece designs that create modern movement and soft light effects.

white chandelier over white table in rustic dining room

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Elegant Rustic

There’s a reason why rustic spaces are so popular – there’s almost nothing more inviting than coming home to a cozy, homey space. While rustic dining room lighting designs remain popular, they’re evolving – with fixtures incorporating chic elements like fresh colours or delicate details.

three glass pendant lights above marble kitchen island in white kitchen

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Play With Numbers

Another trend when it comes to kitchen and dining room lighting is to multiply a lighting look: Instead of using a single pendant light, hanging multiple lights creates a bolder (and brighter) effect.