Best Pendant Lights

How to Choose Pendant Lights

Pendants are jewelry for ceilings—decorative, functional, and deeply personal. They define dining spaces, illuminate islands, and make entries memorable. But wrong height, wrong scale, or wrong quantity turns statement into eyesore.

Where Pendants Work Best

Kitchen islands: 1 pendant per 2 feet of island length, centered over workspace
Dining tables: Single large or multiple small, centered over table
Entryways: Statement piece at proper height for drama
Bedside: Frees up nightstand space, modern alternative to lamps
Bathroom vanity: Flanking mirrors or row above

### Height Guidelines

Over dining tables: Bottom of shade 30-36" above table surface
Over kitchen islands: 30-36" above counter (same rule)
In entryways: 7' minimum from floor to bottom of fixture
In hallways: 7' clearance minimum

### Scale Rules

Single pendant over table: Diameter = 1/2 to 2/3 table width
Multiple pendants: Smaller diameter, 24-30" apart
Entry pendants: Fill 1/3 to 1/2 the entry width

### Bulb Considerations

Pendants often showcase bulbs—especially glass or open designs. Edison/filament bulbs look great but provide warm, dimmer light. Standard LEDs are brighter but less decorative. Match bulb to pendant style.

### Cord Management

Many pendants come with extra-long cords. You'll cut to size or wrap excess inside canopy. Adjustable pendants can change height later. Hard-wired pendants require electrician for height changes.