Pendant Lighting Ideas for Kitchen Islands
That’s where pendant lights come in! A kitchen lighting favorite, these fixtures light your kitchen work areas for culinary tasks and double as high-style statement makers. No other lighting fixture is better suited to light your countertops, kitchen sink, and dining tables than pendant lighting, and the stylistic options are endless, so you can cultivate a look that’s as unique as you are.
When styling the lighting in your kitchen, you’ll want to pay special attention to your kitchen island. Hanging multiple pendants over your kitchen island will ensure the space where you do the bulk of your culinary tasks will be well lit and easy to work within. Kitchen island chandeliers are another solid option for task lighting in this area, as these fixtures can accomplish the same lightning needs while making a bold style statement—however, for some spaces, the versatility and customization options inherent to insectionidual pendant lighting is preferred.
Pendant Light Size Guide
When you’re ready to hang your pendant lights, the height of the fixture can have a dramatic impact on your lighting experience. Hang your lights too high, and you may dilute the light you need for your workspace, but hang them too low and they can block views or serve as a hazard as you move about your kitchen tasks.
To find the proper pendant light length, first determine the height of your ceilings. The base of the pendant shade should hang roughly twelve to twenty inches below the ceiling for eight foot ceilings—and you can add three inches for every additional foot of ceiling height over eight feet. Alternatively, the base of the shade should fall thirty to thirty six inches above your table or countertop. Make sure your pendants don’t block your view—ideally pendants suspended over work areas will fall just above eye level.
Many pendants are hung with adjustable cord or chain, making installation simpler if you are searching for pendant lights for high ceilings or pendant lights for low ceilings. However, some pendants achieve a sleeker look with downrods instead of cord. These pendants will usually have some adjustability by adding or removing sections of the downrod, but the height of these fixtures will not be quite as versatile as fixtures hung with cord alone. If the pendant you prefer is hung with downrod, check the overall maximum and minimum height and the included downrods to be sure your pendant will fit in your space.
If you want: Task lighting that doubles as ambient light, doesn’t impede the view over a kitchen island or bar, and trendy options for smaller spaces
Search our: Clear glass pendant lights! Clear glass pendant lights are having a definite moment right now, but this look is chic enough and practical enough to supersede mere trend. Glass shades are timeless, and clear glass (or seedy glass for a bit of vintage charm) allows lots of light out into the room without blocking any views. Clear glass pendants are great for opening up smaller spaces or for maintaining the airiness of an open concept design. This pendant category also offers lots of colorful pendant light options. Blue pendant lights are great for nautical or coastal rooms. Green pendant lights add an earthy vibe. Pink pendant lights evoke a soft, contemporary feel. Orange pendant lights accent vibrant, eclectic rooms.