Pendant Lights: Hanging Fixtures for Every Room

Hanging height and width over the table

Over a dining table or island, the bottom of a pendant usually hangs 30 to 36 inches above the surface, so you see across the room without glare in your eyes. In a hallway or entry the base should clear head height, around seven feet. For width, a single pendant should be roughly half the table's width, while a multi-light bar is judged against the table's length and stops short of both ends. Listings give a width or diameter, with common sizes running from 12 to 20 inches, and the stem or cord length decides how low it can drop.

Hardwired or plug-in, and what the wattage cap means

Hardwired pendants connect to a ceiling box and should be fitted with the power off at the breaker, by someone qualified where local rules require it. Plug-in pendants have a cord and a ceiling hook, which suits renters and anywhere there is no wiring. The lamp power listed, such as 100 W, is a maximum rating, usually per socket, not what an LED draws, so an LED bulb of the right base and shape stays well inside it. Dimmable fixtures need a dimmer rated for the bulb type.

Questions about Pendant Lights: Hanging Fixtures for Every Room

How many pendants does a kitchen island need?

Space pendants about 24 to 30 inches apart and keep the group a little shorter than the island. A long island usually takes two or three; a single large pendant works over a small table or a reading corner.

Does a glass shade give different light than fabric?

Clear or seeded glass lets most light through and shows the bulb; opal glass and fabric spread it softly with less glare. Dark metal shades throw light only downward and keep the sides dim, which suits task areas.

Can I hang a pendant from a sloped ceiling?

Yes, with a canopy or adapter made for slopes, and a stem or cord long enough to hang level. Check the listing for a sloped-ceiling kit, because a standard flat canopy leaves a gap on an angle.