How to Select the Perfect Pendants for Any Space in Your Home

Adding pendant lighting to your home is a great way to create a focal point in a room. It also helps define a space (especially if you have multiple “rooms” within an open concept floor plan) and pumps up the style of the space by adding extra light, texture, or pops of color. 

Kitchen islands are one of the best places to add pendants to a home, creating a styled welcome to the room and providing focused lighting for cooking, meal prep, or entertaining. Pendants can also be found hanging over a farmhouse-style dining table, adding warmth to the family meal. 

Believe it or not, pendants can be added to other areas of the house, too, not just the kitchen and dining room. You could hang a single pendant over a bedside table, over a home beverage center, or even over a luxurious soaking tub (installed at the correct height for code, of course!). 

Today, I’m going to answer some frequently asked questions about pendants. All you need is your tape measure and maybe a calculator, and you’re ready to learn all about adding pendants to your home. 

What length should the pendants be?

To determine the length at which a pendant should hang, we measure up from the countertop or dining table. We don’t measure from the ceiling down, because ceiling heights vary, but countertop height is usually a standard. The bottom of the pendant is installed 30-36” above the countertop. 

It is also important that the pendant is above eye level for most of the users in the kitchen. If you have some tall folks in your family, you may need to scoot it up another inch for comfort.

How many pendants should I install?

Don’t worry, this isn’t a guessing game! Medium to large pendants should be spaced 30-32” apart from center to center of the fixtures. If you’re working with a smaller fixture, for say, a contemporary look, space those pendants 18-24”. On the end pendants, the center of the fixture should be at least 12” in from the edges of the table or island. 

By looking at your table or island and doing a little math, you will be able to determine if you have room for 2-3 pendants or more. In design, odd numbers are ideal, but a pair of striking pendants can also make an impact. 

What size should your pendants be? 

Determining the size of a pendant may have you second-guessing your design choices, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Oftentimes, we reverse-engineer this, using the steps from the prior questions: What length should the pendant be? How many of them?

If you have room for fewer pendants (1-2), then a larger pendant would create a bigger visual impact. If you have room for 3 pendants, they should be smaller. You can use the spacing suggestions above to calculate the approximate diameter of your pendants. 

Note: A larger pendant will also look to-scale in a room with a 10 or 12-foot ceiling height. With an 8-foot ceiling height, I would suggest a smaller pendant. 

Do the finishes of the pendants have to match the rest of the kitchen?

Mixing finishes can give your house a custom look versus a packaged approach, but make sure they make sense with the rest of the room and house. What’s most important is that you love the look of the pendants, and you are comfortable with the design. 

Of course, this is where a designer can help! Speaking of...

How do we help you choose the right pendants for your home?

When choosing pendants with clients, Steve and I start by looking at the overall style of the kitchen. Is it traditional? Industrial? Contemporary? Then, we look at the ceiling height and the size of the island or table. We determine the overall scale of the room and the amount of light the pendants need to supply. Are the lights supplying task lighting or are they for mostly decorative purposes?

We then nail down what the client likes and take a look at the specifications to determine the size of the globe or shade. I have been known to cut out paper patterns that correspond to the size and use these as visuals. We can also use blue painter’s tape to place the patterns on the table or counter to get an idea of the size in proportion to the furniture or island. 

This process helps the customer get comfortable with the pendants’ dimensions, while also ensuring clear communication with the electrician on where we want our lighting installed. 

My Favorite Pendants 

Pendants are worth splurging on because of the incredible design impact they can make, which is probably why my favorite pendants tend to be from luxury lighting lines. Choosing the right pendant for the space is worth the extra time and money for the show-stopping design.

Item: Harrow Pendant by Generation Lighting

This pendant is for those who want a lantern look. The shape is clean and the seeded glass adds great texture. It’s modern and a tad industrial, and in the right space it will look sleek and sophisticated. It is a larger pendant, but its open, glass frame keeps it from overpowering the space.

Item: Currey and Co. Beckett Pendant 

The Currey and Co. Becket pendant is a mix of seeded glass, black metal, and wood. This design is earthy, minimal and classy. The shape is simple and the texture of the mixed materials is eye-catching. I could see this being a fun, simple addition over a nightstand.

Item: Visual Comfort Haymarket Pendant

This pendant has a galvanized metal shade, and layered shade shape.  The Visual Comfort Haymarket pendant comes in a couple of sizes. This adds some flexibility to get the right scale for your room 

Choosing the right pendant for your space doesn’t have to be intimidating. Spend time looking at photos and pay attention not only to the style but to the finishes the pendant has. Take notice of the scale of the room, lighting, and other details. This will help you form your vision for the lighting. 

Lighting can make a huge impact on a room and it is worth investing in the right lighting. Lighting can be expensive so if in doubt, consult with a designer. We’d love to talk lighting with you!  

Warmly, 
Sarah