Pendant lights come in a bunch of colors, shapes, and sizes and we love them all. In case you are not familiar, pendants are a type of hanging lights that are suspended in the air by a cord or chain, or even a metal rod.
They usually hang from the ceiling at a height of about 7 feet (210 cm) above the floor to avoid unfortunate head bumps and not obstruct anyone's view. However, we will see more about their placement below. First, let's take a look at the two major types of pendants we offer:
Single-light pendants
Single-light pendants have a single light source connected to a cord. This is the most common type of pendant that works amazingly in all types of architecture. Things like the shade, color, size, and material play a huge role in where the pendant fits in.
Multi-light pendants
Multi-light pendants, as the name suggests, have multiple light sources connected to a single fixture or canopy. They are different from chandeliers as they don't have multiple "arms" or "branches" that extend outwards. The lights often hang at different heights, creating a cascading effect.
Now, these might be the two major types of pendants but we can also divide them further by size, material, and use.
Large pendant lights
Large pendant lights typically have a diameter of 16-30 inches (40-75 cm) or more. They are best used as statement pieces or focal points in spacious rooms and lean more toward ambient light fixtures.
They can be used in combination with recessed can lights or cove lighting but typically not with other large ceiling lights such as chandeliers.
Mini pendant lights
Mini or small pendant lights are the discreet little siblings of large pendants. They are usually 12 inches (30 cm) or less in diameter and they are best used for focused task lighting, such as over a reading nook, or multiple mini pendants in a row over the kitchen island.
You can also buy mini pendant lights for your bedside table, as they are more unique and quirky than table lamps.
Glass pendant lights
Moving on to materials, our glass pendant lights are designed to be elegant and powerful pieces that provide ample light where you need it most.
You can choose clear or frosted glass.
Clear glass provides even and bright illumination without obstruction.
Frosted glass diffuses light which reduces glare and creates a softer atmosphere.
Opaque pendant lights
Pendant lights with opaque materials typically direct the light downwards, providing focused illumination. They are best used in transitional and modern/contemporary architectures.
Take your time to browse our wide selection of materials such as stone, marble, wood, and metal pendants, and choose one that aligns with the rest of your home's design.
How to place your pendants
Dining room pendant lights should be hung at around 30-36 inches (75-90 cm) above the table.
In the living room, they should be about 7 feet (210 cm) above the floor in open space areas.
In the kitchen, you can place a pendant at about 30-40 inches (75-100 cm) above the kitchen sink or over the kitchen island/table. For the latter, choose 3 or 5 small pendants depending on your island's length.
For the bedside table, the bottom of the pendant light should be about 28-32 inches (70-80 cm) above the top of the table. This height ensures that the light provides adequate illumination for reading or other tasks while not being so low that it obstructs movement or is too bright.
These are some of the main pendant placements that you will need in your home.
If you install multiple pendants in a row, make sure to keep a distance of about 24-30 inches (60-75 cm) between the pendants and have them at around 12-18 inches (30-45) from the edge of the table or island.
How to install pendant lights
To install your new pendant lights, consider calling in an electrician to help with the job. If you are certain you can do it yourself, follow the instructions below. Safety always comes first so do not make any ventures you are unsure about.
- First, turn off the power at the main breaker and verify it's off with a voltage tester.
- Remove any old fixture by unscrewing it and disconnecting the wires.
- Ensure the electrical box is securely mounted.
- Assemble the new pendant light according to our instructions.
- Adjust the length of the light to your desired height, as we discussed above.
- Strip the wire ends, and connect the black wires together, the white wires together, and the ground wires together using wire nuts, then wrap them with electrical tape.
- Tuck the wires into the electrical box and secure the canopy flush against the ceiling.
So now you know how to choose the perfect pendant for your space and how to install it. Check out our wide selection and remember to use the filters to narrow down the ideal options for your preferences!