Mixing Hanging and Recessed Lighting? Good Questions

Q - My dining room has recessed low-voltage lighting, but I've always wanted to have some kind of light(s) hanging lower over the table. With a recent fire in the adjoining apartment affecting my walls and ceilings and some significant repair work about to take place, I'm looking on the bright side and seeing this as an opportunity to reassess the situation.

Given my dining room is part of a l-shaped lounge-dining space, would it look strange to have one or two lights hanging over the dining table, but continue the recessed lighting in the rest of the space?

Sent by Claire

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Comments (9)

when we moved into our house, the previous owners hung a light in the dining area in addition to the recessed lighting. we continued with it, and actually like it. recessed lighting doesn't convey "intimate" like a well-placed light does. when we entertain, we often turn off the recessed lighting and use the light above the dining table.

i would recommend using one striking light vs a series of two or three, which might make your ceiling look a bit cluttery.

No it won't look weird at all. Hanging lights over a table are perfectly acceptable and normal. In fact, since its part of a larger room - it will help to define the dining space. Don't be afraid to get something substantial either.

not at all--in fact good lighting is created by having various types of lighting. if you have a chandelier or pendant light hanging over your dining table, the recessed lights work as accent pieces that foreground the overall space of the room. make sure the light over the table has a dimmer to control the lighting & it would be great too for the recessed lights.

I agree with all previous comments. Recessed lights are great as general overhead lights, but don't do much for atmosphere. (bo-o-oring!) Using several layers of light adds interest to a room and helps create focal points. You want your dining table to sparkle, be inviting, draw people in!

I personally really dislike recessed lights and was very relieved when the place I bought didn't have them. I hate the way the light is so harsh and how if you're sitting directly under one you're roasting hot but if you move a few inches to one side you're freezing cold.

So if it was me I would make opportunity out of disaster and replace all of the recessed lighting with a few strategic pendant fixtures and then also have side-lamps for everyday soft lighting. Would you consider getting rid of the recessed bulbs altogether?

I love having things BRIGHT and as such don't mind recessed lights at all, but am aware of the peer pressure that some hate overhead lights of any variety. The great thing is, recessed lights are - recessed! And subsequently don't have a huge impact on room design. So, I would say go for the combination - the hanging lights for nice dinners and setting a mood, but the recessed lights for daily use - especially since they are low voltage.

An eye doctor once told me that light colored eyes dilate very easily, so I wonder if amount of light preference may actually be a physical thing.

You could also put in a dimmer for your recessed lights as well...

There are things out there that can convert recessed lighting into a pendant lamp. This doesn't actually address your question, but is something you might find interesting.

I was going to suggest the same thing as kiljoywashere. I saw one on some random HGTV show and thought it would be a great idea for my kitchen (there are 46 recessed lights in my new apartment!). I'm thinking about this one I found on ebay. Not bad for $50. There's also something called the Can Converter which I think you use with any hanging lamp.