It's a fair question, and one that trips up many buyers. Seeing "120 inches" in a product description can make a pendant feel like it's built for grand, high-ceiling spaces. But the 120" measurement is the maximum cord length, not the required installed drop.
The cord is fully adjustable from 2 inches to 120 inches, which means a 15-inch hanging length, or anything in that range, is completely possible. Here's what that means for your installation.
What does "120 Inches" actually mean?
The 120" measurement refers to the maximum available cord length, not the required installed drop. It is the maximum length the cord can be, not a fixed dimension you're locked into.
This is a point of confusion for a lot of buyers. Seeing "120 inches" in a product description can make a pendant feel like it's designed for very high ceilings or large spaces, but that's not how adjustable hardwire works. The long cord exists to give you options, not to dictate the final hanging length.
The real benefit of a 120-inch cord is not that you need all 120 inches; it's that you can shorten it to fit your space.
120 inches of cord length allows you to easily adjust the pendant height, so the fixtures can adapt to any room and any parameter. | Image by Rowabi.
Can the cord be shortened to 15 inches?
Yes. The Aurelia Rattan Pendant Light's natural hardwire cord is adjustable from 2 to 120 inches, so a 15-inch hanging length is completely achievable.
The cord is not required to hang at full length. During installation, excess cord is trimmed or gathered so the fixture sits at whatever height you need. Whether you need a 15-inch drop, a 30-inch drop, or anything in between, the 120-inch option gives you the range to get there.
Why a longer cord option still works for short drops
It might seem that ordering a 120-inch cord doesn't make sense when you only need 15 inches. But from an installation standpoint, more cord length is almost always better than less.
A pendant with a fixed or very short cord leaves no room to adjust if your ceiling height, mounting position, or hanging preference changes during installation. A fully adjustable cord means you trim to the exact length you need, and the excess is removed rather than coiled up behind the canopy.
This is especially useful if you're installing in a space where the final hanging height needs to be precise, such as over a dining table, above a kitchen island, or in an entryway where clearance matters. You get one chance to get the length right, and having more cord to work with makes that easier.
What to measure before ordering
Before you finalize your order, take a few minutes to confirm these numbers:
- Ceiling height: Measure from the floor to the ceiling to get your total vertical space.
- Desired bottom-of-fixture height: Decide where you want the bottom of the shade to sit. Common references are 30-36 inches above a table or countertop, and at least 7 feet of clearance to the floor in open spaces like entryways or living rooms.
- Your actual cord drop: Subtract your desired bottom-of-fixture height from your ceiling height, and remember to subtract the shade's height as well. The cord length you set is the distance from the canopy to the top of the shade, so the shade's own height adds to the total drop.
Image by Rowabi.
For example: if your ceiling is 9 feet (108") and you want the bottom of the fixture to hang at 7.5 feet (90"), and the shade is approximately 12" tall, you'd need roughly 6 inches of cord, well within the 2"–120" adjustable range.
If you're unsure about any of these measurements, our pendant hanging height guide walks through the calculation in more detail.
Final answer
The Aurelia Rattan Pendant Light 120" natural hardwire cord is fully adjustable from 2 inches to 120 inches. A 15-inch hanging length is completely possible, as is anything shorter or longer within that range.
If you have questions about your specific ceiling height or installation setup before ordering, reach out to the Rowabi team, and we'll help you work through the numbers.
