How To Choose The Right Pendant Lights For Your Home

Pendant lights are versatile statement pieces, but selecting the perfect one requires a strategic approach beyond aesthetics. The most crucial steps involve accurately sizing the fixture to your room or table and hanging it at the correct height to ensure both visual balance and comfortable clearance. 

By mastering these proportional rules and stylistic choices, you can use the principles outlined in this Rowabi guide to effectively illuminate any space in your home, as outlined by Noah Miller, a professional interior designer who has collaborated with us for years.

Key takeaways

• Determine Function: Decide if the pendant is for general ambiance or concentrated task lighting; install a dimmer for adjustable brightness.
  *Material Impact: Opaque shades direct light downward; translucent materials (like glass) diffuse light broadly.
• Sizing Rule (Single Pendant): To find the recommended diameter (in inches), add the room's length and width (in feet).
• Sizing Rule (Over Tables): The pendant's diameter should be roughly $1/2$ to $2/3$ the width of the dining table or kitchen island below it.
• Hanging Height (Over Surfaces): The bottom of the fixture should hang 30–36 inches above a kitchen island or dining table surface.
• Hanging Height (General Space): For standard 8-foot ceilings, hang the bottom of the fixture approximately 7 feet from the floor. Add 2–3 inches of hanging height for every extra foot of ceiling height above 8 feet.
• Style and Harmony: Select a material and style that complements your existing decor. When using multiples, ensure they maintain a cohesive look (matching shape, material, or color).

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How to choose the best pendant lights for your space?

Pendant lights are the most popular choice. If you choose the right model for the space, it will make your home more beautiful. Here are some ways that you can refer to choose the best model for your home.

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Pendant fixtures for the kitchen

When choosing pendant lights for the kitchen, don't forget to consider the size and layout of the space. Kitchen island pendant lights are usually spaced 30 inches apart.

You should choose pendant lights that are suitable for the kitchen. Source: Rowabi. 

If your kitchen has a large space, you can choose multiple pendant lights to provide enough light for the whole space and to suit specific lighting needs.

Find out more: Kitchen Island Lighting: How To Choose The Right Lights For Your Kitchen Island?

Pendant lights for the dining room

In the dining room, pendant lights primarily enhance ambiance and style, serving as a focal point that adds to a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, ideal for entertaining guests or enjoying family meals.

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If kitchen pendant lights focus on providing effective illumination for cooking, then pendant lights in the dining room must be truly beautiful and impressive to elevate the overall aesthetic of the space.

Read more: How do you choose the right chandelier or light fixture for a dining room?

Hanging lights for the living room

When it comes to hanging lights in the living room, the best place to start is to hang furniture about 5'-7' feet away from the living area. With high ceilings, you can make the pendant lights shorter to avoid overwhelming the space.

You can prioritize choosing pendant lights that make the living room more attractive and luxurious. Source: Rowabi.

If lights are being used for ambient or accent lighting, hang them higher to create a softer, more diffused light.

Click for more: How To Choose The Best Pendant Light For Your Living Room

Hanging lights for bedrooms

In bedrooms, pendant lights are often used for sitting areas or enhancing a reading book. We recommend choosing soft white or warm white light. In particular, warm white light is often associated with relaxation, making you more comfortable after a tiring working day.

Soft white or warm white pendant lights are the perfect choice for your bedroom. Source: Rowabi.

Read more: How to choose bedroom lighting

Pendant lights for the bathroom

You can choose lighting that matches the overall style and design of your bathroom, helping to brighten up the entire bathroom. For smaller bathrooms, choose smaller pendant lights to avoid overwhelming the space and creating an uncomfortable atmosphere. Besides, warm white light is also recommended in the bathroom.

Pendant lights for the bathroom must match the entire style and brighten your bathroom. Source: Rowabi.

Hanging lights for Entryways

Entryways are undoubtedly a focal point for both lighting function and aesthetics, as they serve as the first impression of your home. A beautifully crafted light fixture not only showcases the homeowner's taste and sophistication but also extends a warm and welcoming greeting to visitors.

Source: Rowabi.

Opt for hanging lights with sufficient brightness to illuminate the space evenly.

Read more: How to choose the right light for your foyer or entryways

Outdoor pendant lighting (Patio)

Outdoor pendant lighting is suitable for many spaces, including gardens, patios, and pathways. You should choose these lights that are durable enough to withstand various weather conditions.

There are types of pendant lights for you to choose from, such as brass outdoor pendant lights, black outdoor lights, wooden outdoor lights, and more.

Don’t forget to choose one light that is designed for outdoor use and can withstand weather conditions. Source: Rowabi.

Conclusion

So, we've covered all the information you need to choose your lights. By following these expert tips, you'll be on your way to creating a cozy vibe in every corner of your space.

Now, let's start, get creative, and let your amazing personal style reflect on the perfect pendant lighting choices!