What are the Rules for Pendant Lighting over a Kitchen Island? — Residence Supply
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What are the Rules for Pendant Lighting over a Kitchen Island?

January 21, 2025

Noor L

What are the Rules for Pendant Lighting over a Kitchen Island? - Residence Supply

Kitchen pendant lighting is one of the best ways to light up your kitchen island in style. Are you planning to design a new kitchen or upgrade an existing one? In both cases, you must know the rules for kitchen pendant lights over an island. Knowing the rules for kitchen pendant lighting and following them will help you create a balanced and stunning look in your kitchen.

In this guide, you’ll find amazing tips for choosing the best kitchen pendant light fixtures over the island. Let’s dive in!

Stark Pendant Light by Residence Supply

Rules for Pendant Lighting over a Kitchen Island

  1. Decide the Number of Kitchen Pendant Lighting

The number of pendant lights for a kitchen island depends on the size of your kitchen island. “Rule of three” or uneven numbers are quite popular. Here are some basic rules for kitchen pendant light fixtures for the island:

  • If your island is around 5-6 feet long, you can use two kitchen pendant lights.

  • If your island is 8 feet or more, go for three to four or two large pendant lights.


The idea is to distribute even lighting throughout your kitchen. Besides, you need to maintain a proportional look.

  1. Space the Kitchen Pendant Light Fixtures Evenly

While lighting up your kitchen island, you must aim to achieve a harmonious look. 

  • You can space pendant lights evenly along the island. This will create a balanced and visually stunning look.

  • Leave around 24 to 30 inches between each pendant.

  • Another way to do it is to measure the diameter of the pendant and double it. This is the approximate space you should leave between the two fixtures.

The goal is to avoid overcrowding the kitchen island and uneven lighting on the kitchen island. 

  1. Choose the Right Size of Hanging Lights for the Kitchen

Choosing the right size of pendant lighting for the kitchen island helps create a proportional look. For the perfect size, you measure the width of your kitchen island. Then, subtract 12 inches from the measurement. It is the maximum diameter of each hanging light in inches. Here are some basic rules for choosing the right size pendant light:

  • For a small island, you can use small pendant light fixtures. These are lights with 10–12 inches diameter.

  • For larger spaces, choose bigger kitchen pendant lights (15–20 inches in diameter) over the island.

Thus, you can create the right balance between the pendant size and the island dimensions. This will help avoid overwhelming the space.

Anaar Pendant Light by Residence Supply

  1. Choose the Right Height for Pendant Lighting for the Kitchen Island

You must hang your pendant light fixtures for the kitchen island at the proper height to avoid glare. 

  • For ceilings lower than 9 feet, you can hang a pendant 30 inches above the countertop. 

  • For a ceiling 10 feet or higher, the light fixtures must be 36 inches or more from the countertop.

  1. Consider Kitchen Island Lighting Temperature and Brightness

The light emitted by pendants must complement your kitchen’s ambiance. You must also decide the purpose of the lighting on the kitchen island. Do you want the kitchen pendant light fixtures for task lighting or for creating ambiance?

  • Bulbs in the 2700K to 3000K range create a warm, inviting glow.

  • Dimmers allow you to adjust the brightness of the light fixtures.

  • 60-watt bulbs with two to three pendants are ideal for a small kitchen island.

  • For a medium kitchen island, you can use two to three pendants with 75-100 watt bulbs.

  • For a large kitchen island, use 100-150 watt bulbs with two to three pendants. 

  1. Choose the Design of Modern Kitchen Lights as per Your Home Decor

Kitchen pendant light fixtures add style and glamour to your kitchen. So, you must choose a design that suits your kitchen's aesthetic.

  • For modern kitchens, you can go for sleek and minimalist pendant lighting for the kitchen island.

  • For farmhouse-style or traditional kitchens, you can use wooden or rustic pendants.

Final Thought

Pendant lighting over a kitchen island is much more than a decorative element. It also has a functional value in your kitchen. If you want your kitchen to look well-lit and balanced, you must follow the rules mentioned above.

Residence Supply offers a wide range of kitchen pendant light fixtures. Explore our collection and find the perfect pendant lighting for the kitchen island. Let us transform your kitchen island into an attractive center of your home. Reach out to us today for more information. 

 

Published on January 21, 2025 - by Noor L

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