Lighting is more than just being able to see the mince pies. It’s mood, it’s magic, and it’s merriment. All rolled into one. Done right, it can transform your dining room from “oh, it’s Christmas” to “Sleigh what?!”

Warm, festive glow - Christmas lighting should feel inviting and snug, not hospital-bright. Experts recommend warm white tones (around 2700K or lower) over cold white, as they mimic candlelight and make skin, faces (and turkey) look far more appealing.

Layering for atmosphere - good dining room lighting isn’t just one big overhead light. Take a layered approach. Mixing in overhead ambient light, softer side lamps or uplighters and accent lights like fairy lights or candles, adds depth and charm.

Flexibility matters - Christmas evenings tend to evolve, from dinner to drinks to lingering chats. Dimmable lighting (or multiple light sources) helps you shift the mood at the flick of a switch.

In short, mixing function (seeing the sprouts) with feeling (making merry) means you hit the sweet spot between practical and poetic.

A statement overhead light

The overhead light is more than just “the big light”. It’s a centrepiece. A softly diffused pendant or chandelier can anchor the table and give your room elegance without glare.

Hang the pendant about 30-35 inches above the table so guests can chat without batting away glare, but you still get enough glow for the gravy.

Candlelight and flicker-friendly additions

Nothing whispers “Christmas dinner” quite like the flicker of candles (or safe LED alternatives). They add softness, warmth and a touch of magic.

Use real candles if you’re fire-safety savvy, or better still, flameless LED candles for zero fire risk. LED options emit a warm glow that rivals the real thing all without the melty, waxy mess.

Fairy lights, string lights and festive twinkle

For that cosy magical Christmas feel, sprinkle in fairy lights or string lights. Draped across a mantel, woven through a garland, or along the table, they add sparkle without stealing the show. If you want depth, wrap them around doorways or even across beams for a twinkly canopy effect.

’Tis the season to sprinkle in some extra festive flair, so here are a few holiday-only lighting tricks that’ll make your home the showroom centrepiece at the dinner table.

Mini fairy-light runners. Lay a thin strand of lights down the middle of your dining table, maybe entwined with some pine sprigs, holly or seasonal garlands. It doubles as a table runner and ambience booster.

Lanterns and votives on sideboards or hearths. Use lanterns or candleholders filled with LED pillars or fairy lights near the fireplace, sideboards or windows. They add shadows, depth and that lovely golden glow synonymous with Christmas evenings.

Festive strings. If you’re tempted, try dialling up the drama with warm-toned curtain lights, hung in windows, over the dining table, or creating a backdrop to the festivities for maximum “wow”. It’s a simple but effective way to bring seasonal cheer into your lighting mix.

Opt for LEDs where you can. They’re energy-efficient, low-heat (so safer around fabrics or fir branches), and often have warm-white or adjustable settings for flexible mood-making.

Dimmers are your best friend. Light up for dinner, then dial down for after-dinner drinks and chatter. It gives you control over the vibe and helps bring out the festive spirit when the food’s gone but the company stays.

Don’t forget shadows and reflections. A mirror opposite a window or near a dressed mantle (with lights wrapped around) can bounce light beautifully and make a space feel larger, cosier and more luminous.

Keep a bit of calm in the chaos – don’t go overboard. Over-lighting can kill the mood. Leave parts of the room gently dim. Let the lights you do use have presence. Less can be more magical.

Multiple heights and light layers. Layering lights at different heights, overhead, tabletop, and floor, instantly makes your space feel dynamic and cosy. Wall lights, floor lamps, or uplighters behind furniture can fill shadowy corners and give a gentle glow, creating a sense of space and warmth at once.

Christmas is all about gathering, glowing and giving, and a clever lighting setup is your secret weapon to host like a legend.

Whether it’s the warm shimmer of candles, the understated elegance of a pendant light, or the playful twinkle of fairy lights weaving through greenery, layering these elements thoughtfully means you’re not just lighting a room. You’re crafting a mood, setting a scene, and elevating every moment from “just dinner” to “memories by the million”.

So, get those twinkly bits at the ready. Plug in the strings, light the candles, and let your home shine as brightly as your holiday spirit.

Warm, glowy wishes from our home to yours and happy hosting!