Pendant lamp dimensions help you choose the perfect fixture for a particular space. They also determine the aesthetics and performance of your lighting design.
Dining Room Pendants
When hanging a pendant over a dining room table, use a guideline that measures one-half the table’s width and length. This ensures the fixture is centered over the table without obstructing sight lines or leaving a hole for people to enter the room.
Kitchen Island Pendants
Ideally, your kitchen island pendant should hang 30 to 36 inches above the counter top. This space eliminates visual obstructions for those seated at the island and lets people in the kitchen see the surface beneath it.
You can fudge this number a little by dropping the light if you feel it looks too tall, but don’t fudge too much or you’ll have to turn around your head to see over your island – a no-no!
What Size Single Pendant Do I Need?
When determining the pendant lamp dimensions that will work for your space, you will want to consider the following: shade material, mounting hardware and bulb type. The most popular shade materials include glass, metal and plastic.
Glass-based shades, such as colorful mouth-blown Murano flutes and industrial-style ribbed globes, diffuse ambient light. They are ideal for spaces that require a soft, warm glow.
Metal-based shades, such as enameled or hand-hammered metals, confine light to a downward path. They are a good option for areas that need brighter illumination, such as the kitchen or bathroom.
Pendant light mounting hardware helps secure the fixture to the ceiling. It includes a mount strap that anchors the fixture to an outlet box in the ceiling, a canopy that hides hookups, a hanger loop that attaches to the chain and a nipple that connects the pendant’s chain or rod to a ring on the nipple.
You can also opt to add a pendant’s socket into the design, by attaching it to the ceiling with a mounting bracket or using an outlet box that accommodates this accessory. This is a smart way to save on the cost of purchasing and installing a pendant’s shade.
The width of a pendant is determined by its shade’s diameter. Ball and globe-style pendants are widest in the middle, while cup pendant lights are wider at their opening.
Regardless of the shade material you choose, a good rule of thumb is that the widest part of a pendant should be no wider than 12 inches in diameter. This maximum is important because the wider a pendant is, the more it will appear busy and complex.
If you prefer a more subtle look, it is best to go with a shade that is no wider than eight inches in diameter. Narrower shades will be less dramatic and might look awkward if they are hung too close together.
Whether you are installing a single pendant or multiple ones, the following tips will help you get it right the first time. This will not only ensure that you’re lighting your space appropriately, but that you’re getting the best value for your money.