Pendant lights have become increasingly popular and often take the place of chandeliers in a room’s lighting design. But as with any lighting, choosing contemporary pendant lights can require careful consideration of how the area where they will be hung and the fixture work together. After all, lighting is more than a source of illumination, it is a critical element of a home’s décor and adds a decorative touch to any room.

Contemporary pendant light fixtures add layers of light while adding the look and feel of the latest design aesthetic to your decor. These lights have always been popular as task lights, but the current trend is to use pendant lights in different ways since they are extremely versatile in interior design.

What Type of Pendant Lighting for a Clean, Contemporary Look?

Pendants are well-loved lighting solutions because they bring practical illumination down to the level where you need it the most. For this reason, contemporary pendant styles are great additions to rooms with contemporary decor. They also bring a fresh look to transitional and eclectic styles.

Kelly Wearstler Cleo 30 Inch Large Pendant by Visual Comfort and Co.

A dramatic and architectural, the Kelly Wearstler Cleo 30 Inch Large Pendant by Visual Comfort and Co. juxtaposes sleek masculine precision with organic feminine curves. This refined, bold pendant blends mixed metals and geometric shapes, filling this contemporary dining room with sophistication and soul.

Ralph Lauren Cara 28 Inch LED Large Pendant by Ralph Lauren

With its Venetian-inspired plaster dome shade and elongated solid brass ring frame, the Ralph Lauren Cara 28 Inch LED Large Pendant by Ralph Lauren adds drama to this dining room. Its sculptural form complements the natural organic shapes and materials of the dining table and chairs. Rich green on the walls pulls the look together.

Where Can I Use Pendant Lighting?

Since pendant lighting offers plenty of illumination, they have become popular options for almost any room in the house, including kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, and entryways. It’s easier to list places where they couldn’t be used, as you can even find them gracing laundry rooms and porches.

Martyn Lawrence Bullard Hula Hoop LED Large Pendant by Corbett Lighting

Filled with playful shapes, this room features rustic edges of well-used pieces juxtaposed with the smooth, chunky lines of modern pieces. Very much at the moment, yet inspired by the past, the Martyn Lawrence Bullard Hula Hoop LED Large Pendant by Corbett Lighting completes the look with just the right amount of levity.

Arteriors Home Barry Dixon Egg Drop 16 Inch Large Pendant

Stunning, playful, and whimsical aptly describe the Arteriors Home Barry Dixon Egg Drop 16 Inch Large Pendants installed above this kitchen island. These pendants are artfully weighted with a solid egg that lets you easily adjust the height. Incredibly versatile, these pendants can be installed anywhere but look incredibly stunning in this black and white kitchen with touches of brass and leather.

Somerset 15 Inch Large Pendant by Hinkley Lighting

One of the non-traditional uses of contemporary pendants is over the bathroom vanity. As task lights, they are ideal for this purpose, bringing illumination and style to this small space. These chic and elegant Somerset 15 Inch Large Pendants by Hinkley Lighting exude quiet and precise sophistication as the light’s globes play against the square mirrors, and the black frames support the minimalist, contemporary design.

Where Should I Use Mini Pendant Lights?

Because they are small, contemporary mini pendant lights can be used in various places. They bring a restrained yet elegantly stylish feel and warm ambiance to any room in the house, making them a truly versatile lighting choice.

Corbett Lighting Martyn Lawrence Bullard Everley 13 Inch Mini Pendant

A pair of Corbett Lighting Martyn Lawrence Bullard Everley 13 Inch Mini Pendants look stunning in this entryway. The opal glass shade casts a warm glow, highlighting its asymmetry and alluring use of negative space. Elegant and timeless, they exude a sense of luxury and modern simplicity.

Capri 6 Inch Mini Pendant by ELK Lighting

A glamorous mini pendant can pack a big punch in a small bedroom. With bedside table space at a premium, the Capri 6 Inch Mini Pendant by ELK Lighting frees up the area and keeps clutter at bay. Reflecting a beauty only nature can create, the mother of pearl Capiz shells form a stunning work of art that glows equally brilliantly with the lights on or off.