After some research, here are my favorite classic casual dining room chandeliers. These lighting fixtures have an upscale, modern coastal feel and are mostly sized from 28 to 36″ in diameter.
I like them all below so perhaps you can help me decide for our dining room. Recently, I posted a picture of our dining room on Instagram and mentioned that it bothered me that our chandelier was higher than 36″ off the table. The rule of thumb is 30 to 36″ off the dining tabletop (subject to preference, like say you don’t want to block a view, etc).
In our San Francisco apartment, our ceiling was lower (9′ versus 10′ now). The bottom of the fixture has crystal drops so it appears shorter. I added wicker shades from Ballard Designs for more casual feel.
This brass chandelier would have to be professional rewired and lengthened to look better in our Atlantic Beach dining room. But I think it would look great in my vaulted ceiling feminine home office for a touch of elegance!
So, what do you think of these alternatives below? Keeping in mind that we live two blocks from this…
Preferring a statement piece, many of these are pricey. So, if possible, I’d like to take advantage of Serena & Lily’s Sale (20% off everything with code NEWYEAR).
Dining Room Light Fixtures
Beaded Bowl Chandelier (more affordable here)• Six Lights With Shades • Sanibel Coral Chandelier
Wicker Bowl And Brass • Darlana Woven Brass And Candlestick
Webson Chandelier With Modern Shades • Large Basket Drum Shade (we already have this more affordable piece in our living room)
Savannah Beaded Modern Chandelier • Larkspur Brass And Wicker Wrapped With Six Light Bulbs • Beaded Tiered
Also, bear in mind how these look at night, which is when you will be often using them. For example, the Savannah Beaded Modern Chandelier:
Have a favorite Casual Dining Room Chandelier?
See the one we finally selected here!
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Donna Willshire says
Toss up between Sanibel Coral and the Savannah Beaded both make a bold statement. I’m sure whichever you decide will look beautiful! Love seeing all you’ve done in your new home.
tina/mormormedstiletter says
Just love the chandeliers – all of them:-)
– and you blog too!
Evelyn says
1st time commenting! Really enjoy your blog. All are interesting but I wouldn’t go with the beach theme and my initial response was to go much bigger and linear when I seen the picture of your room. Its hard to choose from a picture and you know your space, so with that in mind, I like the Munroe. It will be fun to see what you choose!
Colleen peterson says
Just a thought……..you have only round chandeliers picked out….have you thought of a more rectangular one, since your table is rectangular? I find with a round one over a linear table the people on the ends don’t get as much light. And all the bowl ones really collect more dust. I don’t know what your adjoining rooms look like but why brass? Just some thing s to think about. Picking out lighting is a hard choice! Good luck!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Yes, Colleen, I feel like in this small room a linear one isn’t best. I’ve used them in larger, open dining areas though.
Judy B says
The Sanibel Coral would be a statement piece and so different. Maybe tricky to clean, but dramatic in your space!
Janet F. Hebbard says
Definetly the LOCKSPUR CHANDERLIER BRASS AND WICKER!
Judy Whitmore says
Webson isn my favorite! Clean lined and modern yet classic..
Kym Morello says
It looks like you are drawn to thin linear lines: Chair & table legs, art, candlesticks, Fig tree trunks, and even the window pains. The McGee, Darlana Woven Brass, And Candlestick bring that finer scale in while tying in the white of your bench seat and the woven backs of your chairs. Although trendier, the beaded tier chandelier could be really fun, bringing a little balance to the fine lines and adding a chunky style. Have fun and go with what you love.
Mary Ann Pickett says
You know that is a really good point about everything being angular…perhaps a fixture with curves would soften it.
Ally says
The wicker bowl with brass or the larkspur. Having a beach house myself a decorator friend advised to decorate in homage to the surroundings but avoid kitschy. People know they are by the sea no need to state the obvious. . For me, the coral and beady things are out. I love the wicker bowl for its potential to glow and at night, the texture and that bit of brass is a homage to the sea and adds sophisticated sparkle. The Larkspur again has that potential for evening glow (always on a dimmer) the brass wrapped with wicker is a nice mix of casual and sophisticated..the shades could be switched out too. Both are lovely but the wicker bowl has that ‘Florida’ vibe plus.
Whatever you choose will be perfect for you and your space, I am just happy that you are keeping your current, gorgeous chandelier. I would just have it rewired to lower it as I think it’s the most perfect lighting piece I have ever seen. I was nearly traumatized when I thought it might be jettisoned in SF!!
Good luck with your decision!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Well, I love that chandelier too…and will show you how it looks in the office when it’s up! I like all the fixtures on the collage. That’s what I do with clients…only show them selections that I like 🙂
So that’s why this is hard. I have been using beaded light fixtures for years. Think of those from Ro Sham Beaux…so I think they will be around for at least 10 years or more.
Katherine says
Sanibel Coral for the win!
Mary Ann Pickett says
THANKS!
Terry Futrelle says
I am a fan of the Larkspur! I like the light directed toward the table and the lovely shades. What a surprisingly low price, too!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Good point about the light directed toward the table.
Deb Bruna says
I think the Kona beaded tiered fixture would look great in your space with the green walls, wainscoting and chairs. They are all beautiful.
Linda Salazar says
I like the beaded ones but really am drawn to the coral one. ❤️
Susan says
I like the the ‘6 lights with shades.’ It’s airy and a versatile fixture – very classy!
Mary Ann Pickett says
You know I love all these so I am conflicted!
Christine says
I’m drawn to the Monroe six shade chandelier. It’s light and airy and also timeless in design. You can also change the shades if you want a quick new look. I feel the Sanibel coral is a bit cliche and will look dated in a few years. The rattan chandeliers are nice but heavy looking. Dust might also be a problem with the rattan. So, if I had a beautiful home near the ocean, I would pick the Monroe.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks, Christine…it’s a good one, too!
Barb says
For me, the Monroe hands down. Can’t wait to see which one you end up with. Decisions, decisions!
Mary Ann Pickett says
I really like that one. Just wanted a switch from what we have currently (and have had for the past 6 or 7 years)…but we have been happy with it.
Joan says
Wicker bowl and brss and 6 lights with shades are my fave! Great choices MA!
Cheryl Fortunato says
Monroe, allows for less blocking of the windows, spans more across the table!
Linda says
I like the Sanibel coral one.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks!
Sue says
I think the Sanibel Coral is very pretty and unusual but it might be difficult clean, keep clean!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Good point!
Rose says
I agree with a previous comment about not using any of the wicker/rattan choices. It would be too much with the caning of your chairs and they’re not as airy looking, therefore blocking more of the window. I can’t help think of antlers when I see the Sanibel coral fixture which would be a no for me. The beaded options are ok but are typical beachy options and might look dated or you will tire of them quickly. I’m sure you see a lot of beachy type decor in Florida but too much starts to look like everyone else.
I love the Six Lights With Shades (Monroe) and the Webson Chandelier With Modern Shades. These two options are classic, provide some depth to the chandelier but are not as solid looking as some of the others. The third fixture with shades doesn’t have the depth and therefore looks flat. With 10’ ceilings, I believe a fixture with some depth would look proportionate.
I believe classic is the way to go.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks for all you input, Rose. A lot to think about.
Nancy Godson says
Sanibel Coral for the win! I agree that the chairs bring plenty of the wicker we love, but the coral brings airiness, a coastal touch, texture, plus its light color gently lifts an already beautiful space even further. It will be a statement piece! I love the idea of moving the existing chandelier to your feminine office—a perfect fit!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks, Nancy. I’m in the office now and I think it will be so nice here.
Karen H. says
Happy New Year Mary Ann! Oh my how your granddaughter has grown! She is adorable. They are so much fun at that age. Regarding the lighting and lamps, my favorite is the Larkspur. You are so good with interior design, and whatever you choose will be lovely. Enjoy the time with your family!
Carolina says
Voting for the Larkspur or the Webson. All of your selections are lovely however I think these two are the most versatile and offer the most staying power. You create such beautiful tablescapes and I think that these two would not compete with your other decor. I am not a fan of theme decor for major pieces.
Constance says
The Sanibel-such a show stopper!
Mary Ann Pickett says
I love that one…torn now.
Cheryl P says
They are all lovely, but I would stick something a bit more classic, with a modern twist. I think the beaded may be more on the trendy side….My choice would be either the Larkspur or Darlana. But whatever you choose, it will be beautiful. Are you familiar with the New York Lighting company? Great to work with, they will discount, match prices, etc. They carry many quality brands. Happy shopping!
Catherine says
I see you don’t wait too long for the fix! You have quite a bit of texture in the chairs, so I would avoid the all basket / wicker options. I’m torn re the Sanibel. I’m not a fan of beach-themed decor but she is a beauty. Perhaps a bit cliché long term? Hmmmm…. The Larkspur is a nice choice. A touch of updated traditional which poses a nice contrast with the table and chairs but doesn’t take itself too seriously with the small wicker detail. Doesn’t block the window and would be beautiful on a dimmer. Dresses up your stand-alone dining room but is still approachable. Works with all table settings you put with it. Whatever you choose will be just right.
Joan says
Ha! I am trying to guess which one you have/will pick from your comments, Mary Ann! I’m thinking it might be the Coral or Savannah beaded. I would avoid the wicker bowl, simply because it seems it would capture dust more than the cleanable ceramic/beaded options. We have an older Visual Comfort chandelier in our DR similar to the Darlana, but with a steel ring and rods, not chain. I’m going w/ the Darlana, Larkspur or Coral!
Mary Ann Pickett says
I lovw all of those, Joan. Still a bit undecided.
Valeri Johnson says
My vote is the Webson for “airiness” and the Coral for “beachiness”.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks so much for weighing in Valeri!!!
Lori says
Oh my! Beautiful choices! I think the coral would be perfect! Your home is so tastefully beachy and this would be perfect. It looks “lighter and brighter”! Also the beaded fixture would be beautiful as well. I’m married to a great granddad as well!
Mary Ann Pickett says
We are lucky t have such great husbands!
Iris says
I love the Savannah Beaded Modern. I always prefer to have diffused light for the dining room. My current dining room fixture does not and even on a dimmer I don’t care for the light. I’m sure that tyou will choose the perfect fixture.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks, Iris, I love that one too. Ane we are only two housr from Savannah! 🙂
carole says
My vote is for the Larkspur – tradition never goes out of style! Since you already have the basket drum shade in a nearby room, Things could get a little too “beachy” with a similar fixture in the dining room. Just saying….
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thant’s Howard’s favorite too!
TAG says
They are all beautiful. We have a second beach home so I really love the coastal vibe and options available. I, too, agree how the light looks at night is important. I also would keep in mind how it looks from the other rooms as you pass by and how much the fixture blocks the view of the middle window. The windows are pretty so I would not want to visually block too much of the middle window. Just something I’m sure you are keeping in mind. Love your new home.
Mary Ann Pickett says
So true…we are keeping all that in mind!
Mercedes says
I have always loved the Savannah Beaded Modern one but I love how the Coral one echos the wallpaper in your entry! They are all lovely!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Love your taste, Mercedes!