In many of today’s homes, dining areas, like living rooms, have evolved into multi-functional spaces wherein dining is only one of many activities carried out within. As with any other multi-use room, lighting in dining areas should be flexible enough to accommodate all of the different ways the space is likely to be used. This is once again achieved through a layered combination of ambient, accent, decorative and task lighting.

One thing that hasn’t changed about dining rooms (and dining room lighting) over the years is the tendency for the dining table, and the decorative light above it, to be the room’s central focus. However, often the necessity to move the table over to make room for a home office or storage unit means that this central focus isn’t necessarily in the center of the room. This can create a problem for centrally-hung chandeliers and pendant lights.

One solution is to hang the light on a swag chain or a pulley system. A swag chain can allow the light to easily be moved over the table. A pulley system allows the light to be raised closer to the ceiling so that it is visually tied to the ceiling rather than the table, so that it doesn’t look odd if the table isn’t centered directly underneath. With this in mind, another option is to forgo a pendant light altogether in favor of a flush or semi-flush lighting fixture. Flexible recessed lights aimed either at the four corners of the table or at the centerpiece are another option.

Whatever you choose for a central fixture, don’t rely solely on it to light the whole space. Placing it on a dimmer switch will allow it to be turned all the way up to provide overhead task lighting, and also make it possible to dim the lights for a more intimate or romantic setting. Add ambient and accent lighting around the perimeter to soften the room with flattering fill light. This might be a combination of wall sconces, uplights placed in the rooms corners, undercabinet lighting on a china hutch or decorative lamps placed on a buffet.

Candlelight is another popular choice for adding ambiance to a dining area. Whether creating a mood that’s festive or romantic, choose a combination of candles and holders that won’t put the flame at eye-level where it can obstruct your view of your dining partner or guests. For a dinner for two, choose votives or pillar candles that are low enough to be out of the way while casting a flattering glow on faces. Tall candlesticks and candelabras with tapers are more appropriate for a dinner party, provided that they’re tall enough that the flames won’t temporarily blind your guests.

With lighting layered in such a way, your dining area will be ready to accommodate anything from a formal dinner to breakfast in your bathrobe to a family game night, and all of the dozens of other uses in between.