Pendants are such a beautiful addition to any space in your home. In much the same way as chandeliers, they add drama, interest, and elegance. However, if they are hung too low or too high, they can throw the room off balance and look out of place.

How Low Should Pendant Lights Hang?

So, what is the winning formula for hanging pendant lights right every time? There are a few variables that can guide how high or how low you should hang pendant lighting fixtures. Some common placements and heights include:

In the living room: 5′-7’ above the seating arrangement

Over a dining room table: 28″-32″ above the table. Consider headroom and conversation.

Above the kitchen island: 28″-35″ above the island. Consider that this is often a workspace, so the lamp should be above shoulder height.

In addition to the above guidelines, when figuring out how to hang pendant lights, consider the scale of your light and the scale of the space in which it will hang. If you have a high ceiling and the space between your furniture increases, you’ll need to balance it by slightly raising your lights. Take a few steps back and see if the height is right for the space and your preference.

Choosing the Right Pendant Lighting for Your Kitchen

There are so many different styles of kitchen pendant lighting that come in all shapes and sizes. You’ll find sleek modern ones made of chrome and glass that give your kitchen a touch of elegance as well as transitional or traditional ones that bring stylish warmth to the space.

Feiss Hobson 10 Inch Mini Pendant by Generation Lighting

If you are looking for a pendant that gives you task lighting, the Feiss Hobson 10 Inch Mini Pendant by Generation Lighting does the job. When you are using your space for tasks like dicing, chopping, and mixing, you’ll want a pendant that puts the light exactly where you need it. The clear seeded glass shade of this lamp gives you plenty of light. Install a dimmer to change the output to ambient light when your kitchen duty is completed.

Kelly Wearstler Precision 17 Inch Mini Pendant by Visual Comfort and Co.

If you have a special feature in your kitchen you want to highlight, such as a beautiful marble countertop, choose a pendant that gives you accent lighting, such as the Kelly Wearstler Precision 17 Inch Mini Pendant by Visual Comfort and Co. This is a great way to bring out the various tones in marble or wooden countertops or bring out the sparkle in polished metal or flecked stone.

Mccoy 14 Inch Mini Pendant by Troy Lighting

Pendants such as the Mccoy 14 Inch Mini Pendant by Troy Lighting are also great at providing ambient light that illuminates the entire space. In this instance, bigger is not always better. A large pendant with a single bulb may not give you more light, so consider using at least two evenly spaced pendants, more depending on the size of your island, to get an even glow.

Folio 5 Inch Mini Pendant by Hubbardton Forge

If you tend to use your island for more mingling and snacking than for preparing meals, consider two or three of the Folio 5 Inch Mini Pendant by Hubbardton Forge. This softer light creates a more intimate mood for entertaining. If it’s a mixed-use space, consider installing a dimmer so that you can brighten the light when doing prep work and lower it when done.

Larmes 37 Inch 24 Light Multi Light Pendant by ET2 Lighting

If you have enough ambient and task lighting, you may want a purely decorative pendant such as the Larmes 37 Inch 24 Light Multi Light Pendant by ET2 Lighting. Its soft glow makes a big statement. The clear oversized teardrops cast interesting shadows that highlight the countertop while the polished chrome lamp holder highlights the high ceiling in this space.

Thomas O’Brien Hicks 16 Inch Mini Pendant by Visual Comfort and Co.

Of course, a pendant light can fill more than once function, like the Thomas O’Brien Hicks 16 Inch Mini Pendant by Visual Comfort and Co. It is decorative and engaging while still giving you the task light you need and brightening your entire kitchen.

Hanging a Pendant Light in the Kitchen

Once you’ve chosen the perfect pendant light for your kitchen, the correct installation is key. In addition to the guidelines above, if you are hanging your pendant light over your island workspace, make sure it doesn’t block your view across the kitchen. Also, consider dimmer switches so you can adjust the amount of light you need depending on the task at hand or the mood you want to create.

If you are looking for the perfect pendant light for your kitchen, or any other space in your home, stop by the Capitol Lighting showroom near you to explore our entire collection. Or schedule a virtual consultation where you can ask as many questions as you like about pendant lights and find the perfect one for your home.