Pendant lights can often be the main source of ambient lighting within a home and can act as a focal point within a room. From lavish chandelier-esque pendant lighting to simple lanterns, they can add ambience and a touch of style to any room.

Pendant Lighting

Pendant lights can be used for a variety of functions from task lighting to sculptural, decadent visual statements. The right pendant lights can create a unique sense of character in a room and define its overall style. Pendant lights can be used in any area of the home, from the kitchen to the bathroom, living room, bedrooms and hallways.

How do you hang a pendant light correctly?

The first question to ask is: what is the function of the pendant light? Will it be used to provide task lighting? Or is it a statement piece to be incorporated into the decor for its visual or artistic appeal?

The answer to these questions determines where and how pendant lights should be hung. The height a pendant light should be hung depends on its use, as well as what is beneath or around the light. Hanging pendant lights slightly lower than normal can make a larger space feel cosy but it’s always worth considering whether the final height of the light is high enough to avoid anyone coming into contact with it when using the space.

The height a light is situated also has an impact on the amount of projection that light will have - the lower it is, the less projection there will be. 

How to style pendant lights

Modern designer lights are incredibly varied in terms of materiality, colour, texture and form, covering everything from copper and concrete to crystal, glass, brass and wooden options. An important part of creating a unified design scheme is ensuring a room is balanced, and pendant lighting plays a central role in this. Whether that’s the type of LED used in a pendant to throw a certain coloured light or the size or number of pendant lights chosen, achieving the right balance is an important part of creating a seamless, liveable space.

In this context, size is worth taking some time to consider. A pendant light should sit comfortably in the space, without overtaking other aspects of the room. While large pendants can create striking design statements and become a focal point of sorts, positioned incorrectly or specified at the wrong size they can undermine the design intentions of the room.

Often, smaller pendant lights are hung in clusters to create a different type of statement. When positioned in a cluster at differing heights, pendant lights can form a unique feature. In this context, a combination of materials, shapes and sizes that work together well can add an additional element of interest.

In industrial and commercial settings, especially in areas such as foyers and meeting rooms, the addition of pendant lights can create a welcome design element. 

Plug in pendant lights

Pendant lights are no longer restricted to wired options, with contemporary plug-in pendants now commonly used. These lights are unique in terms of their versatility and ability to be moved around simply by unplugging and plugging in wherever needed.

Find out more: Different pendant lighting style ideas for lighting above your dining table