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LED pendant lights are a timeless way to add illumination and style to a room in equal measure. They are versatile and can be worked into almost any room, making them a sensible choice of ambient lighting. Below, we will take a closer look at LED pendant lighting.
What Is LED Pendant Lighting?
A pendant light is a light fixture that is suspended from the ceiling by way of an adjustable-length cord, a metal rod or a chain that intertwines with the wiring. It is believed to have gotten its name from the fact that it hangs down, dangling like a pendant on a necklace.
Pendant lights are good for moving light from the ceiling to eye level, making them ideal for ambient lighting. Pendant lights are increasingly popular as a statement of modern decor. Because they are so varied and versatile, you can incorporate them into practically any style of decor.
The difference between hanging ceiling lights like chandeliers and hanging pendant lights is that a chandelier has multiple bulbs that are worked into only one fixture. A pendant light has just one bulb worked into the fixture.
How To Integrate Pendant Lighting Into a Lighting Scheme
Many interior lighting ideas can take advantage of and benefit from the use of pendant lighting. With so many pendant light styles to choose from, spaces of any design style and décor can benefit from them.
After you’ve determined the kind of pendant light fittings you want to include, you can start thinking about the logistics of actually adding them to your interior.
Ceiling pendant lights can be placed just about anywhere. You can hang pendants over desks, kitchen islands, side tables, staircases and anywhere else with vertical space. Some areas will have more vertical space and will look better with large statement lights, while others will benefit from smaller fixtures.
When it comes to hanging pendants, their hanging height is important. When hanging them over a surface, it is recommended that you position them 30 to 36 inches above the surface. If you are hanging them in an open space, be sure they are a minimum of seven feet from the floor.
The number of pendants you include in a space will also be determined by the size of the room. Larger rooms will require more lighting, while smaller ones can get away with fewer. Be sure you’re hanging the lights in odd numbers to maintain balance and visual harmony.
The pendant lights should be one layer of lighting with supplemental lights included around it. Including wall lights, floor lamps and other such fixtures will work in harmony with your modern pendant lights to provide balanced lighting.
Popular Material Choices for Pendant Lighting
If you want your pendant lights to fit in with your modern home décor, you will have to choose the right material type. Pendant lights come in many finishes and materials, from sleek glass to modern black pendant lighting fixtures. Consider all of the available options for your space.
Crystal and Glass
Glass and crystal are elegant materials that give your space a timeless, sophisticated look. These materials are good for creating focal points and allowing light diffusion throughout the space.
Ceramic
If you want to go for a more traditional look, ceramic pendant lights are a good choice. These are unique and not as commonly seen, letting your space stand out among the rest.
Matte Black
Black pendant light fittings are a versatile style that works especially well in industrial and minimalist design styles. They require minimal maintenance since they aren’t as likely to show fingerprints and water spots.
Fabric
Fabric pendant lights lend themselves to a more traditional style as well. Lights that have fabric shades are warm and cosy, making the space feel more welcoming.
Nickel
Brushed nickel is a popular choice for modern lighting pendant fixtures. They give a contemporary, sleek appearance and are durable enough to resist corrosion, rust and tarnishing.
Brass and copper
Brass and copper both lend themselves to a certain warmth which can make your space cosy and more inviting. They are especially good for industrial and vintage design styles.
Wood
Wood is a classic material that gives a natural element to your space and can create an earthy, warm atmosphere that brings nature into your interior. Wood comes in a variety of finish options, and with its natural grain patterns, brings plenty of personality to your space.
Current Pendant Lighting Trends
Pendant lighting trends come and go, much like any other interior design element. Lately, there have been a few lighting trends that bring out the personality of any room. Read on to get some interior lighting inspiration.
Geometric Shapes
If you would like some ultra-contemporary lighting options, geometric pendant lights are the way to go. Hexagonal, spherical and diamond-shaped lights give a clear, modern personality to any room.
Natural Fabrics and Soft Lighting
Make your living space a room you’ll love to unwind in with fabrics and warm light. The combination gives a cosy, homey look and feel that is welcoming and inviting.
Statement Pendants
Having large statement pendants can transform your space in an instant. They create focal points and are especially good for placement in open-concept spaces.
Mixed Materials
Jump on lighting trends by including lights made of different materials. Combining materials such as wood, glass, metal and concrete makes for a more diverse and visually interesting space.
LED Lighting
Energy efficient pendant lighting is an evergreen trend that you’ll never regret. LED lights pose many benefits such as a long lifespan, various colour temperature options, different lumen counts and eco-friendly lighting technology that no other light bulb type can achieve.
Linear Lighting
Modern linear pendant lighting with multiple bulbs in a row is a stylish and trendy choice for kitchens. Linear options are particularly popular when hung over kitchen islands and dining tables, helping to take up some of that overhead space while providing even illumination for tasks.
Minimalist Flair
Keeping your lighting simple with stripped-down fixtures gives your space a cleaner look. Minimalist lighting design features clean lines and angles with no extra frills or bulk.
Art Deco
Art Deco is seeing a revival in recent trends. This vintage style emphasizes intricate details, bold shapes and metallic finishes.
General Vintage Style
Similarly, incorporating other vintage and antique design styles will keep your home looking trendy. Using aged brass, glass and other vintage elements gives a subtle glamorous touch to any room.
How to Determine the Correct Height for Pendant Lights
Pendant light height and spacing is ultimately determined by where exactly you plan to install them. Different rooms in the house tend to have different pendant light home design rules associated with them.
Kitchen Pendant Lights
Pendant lights in kitchen spaces have their height dependent upon the surfaces they are hung above. When hanging pendant lights above kitchen island areas, you want to aim for eye-level. This means hanging them about 30 to 36 inches above the countertop.
For dining tables, the best pendant lighting placement will be about the same. Aim for somewhere between 30 and 36 inches from the tabletop to eliminate visual obstructions while talking to one another.
Living Room Pendant Lights
Pendant lights for living room areas will be different, since there are no central surfaces you’re hanging the light over. You should aim for a height clearance of around seven feet just to be safe. This should ensure no family member hits their heads on the light without making it feel claustrophobic.
Bedroom Pendant Lights
Many people enjoy hanging pendant lights low over their bedside tables to serve as a nightlight. It is recommended that you hang it around 26 to 32 inches above the top of the table. This will give nice ambience and lighting levels while still leaving room for books or decor.
Hallway and Entryway Pendant Lights
Depending on how tall your ceilings are here, you may need to play around to find the best height. Still, home pendant lighting rules generally suggest hanging it a minimum of seven feet from the floor. If you have a winding staircase with a lot of vertical space, adding multiple lights at different heights can spread illumination through the space beautifully.
As an aside, when it comes to spacing, pendant light positioning rules are pretty consistent throughout the house. It is generally recommended that you space your lights 45 centimeters apart if using multiple pendant lights. Similarly, try to install them in odd numbers–ideally either three or five, depending on how large the room is.
How To Use Hanging Pendant Lighting in a Dining Room
As mentioned, if you want to hang pendant lights over a dining table, be sure to give it 30 to 36 inches of clearance above the table. You can customize the height in your specific space by beginning with how you want it to look while sitting at the kitchen table, when you are seated elsewhere and when you walk into the room.
When lighting a dining room, you should also be considering the style that you want to use as well. Modern pendant lighting is a current trend and should be considered when designing your room. Types of pendant lights include:
- MINI PENDANT LIGHTS. Hanging clusters of pendant lights over a dining room table can yield inviting, modern results. One mini light usually won’t be enough, but you can add some serious wow-factor to the room by grouping multiples together.
- DRUM PENDANT LIGHTS. If you want to give your pendant lights a more stately and regal look, drum lights are a good choice. Choosing an oversized drum pendant light can really add to the appeal. The same can be said for using a large lantern pendant light to give the room a timeless, antique look.
- LARGE AND MEDIUM PENDANT LIGHTS. Create a sculptural look in your dining room with large pendants. Choose big bell-shaped metal pendants for an industrial modern look or choose something simpler if you want it to be a feature of the room instead of a focal point.
- SUSPENDING THEM LINEARLY. Hanging pendant lights in a row can create a modern, fresh look while shining plenty of light across a wider area.
- LIGHT SMALLER DINING TABLES. To make a pendant look its best over a small dining table, it’s best to use a single pendant light hanging in the center.
- ODD NUMBERS. The look of odd numbers of pendants, usually three or five, over a counter, island or bar gives the room plenty of personality.
How To Use Hanging Pendant Ceiling Lights in a Kitchen
As mentioned, you want to keep a minimum clearance of 30 to 36 inches between the bottom of the light and the top of the kitchen counters. In these long, wide areas, you can take advantage of the way odd-numbered pendant lights will look. If the island is short, around six or seven feet, you should space the pedants at least 30 inches apart. For larger islands, you can light it well with three pendants. Place one right over the island, and then space the pendants out 30 inches on either side.
If you want to make a more dramatic statement, you can change the heights of the fixtures to create a staggered look. The drama is also quite modern and will elevate the overall atmosphere of the room. You can also choose to use one long pendant, but be sure you layer the room with other lights like plinth lights. This will bring the light down and help prevent the pendant from casting shadows.
Can You Use LED Hanging Ceiling Lights in a Bathroom?
Pendant lights can certainly be used in bathrooms. Some of the most common areas for hanging pendant lights in the bathroom include:
- Centre of a vaulted ceiling
- Centre of a small bathroom
- To the side of the vanity/mirrors
- Above the vanity or mirrors
- Low-traffic areas
The only thing to consider is that there are some safety points to keep in mind when installing pendant lights. There are different zones in the bathroom that require different levels of protection. The IP rating determines how well the light is protected from dust and moisture. These are known as IP ratings, or ingress protection ratings. The first digit of the IP rating indicates how well a light resists solid objects. The ratings are as follows:
0 – No protection offered
1 – Protected against damage by solid objects 50 millimeters or more
2 – Protected against solid objects that measure 12 millimeters or more
3 – Protected against solid objects that measure 2.5 millimeters or more
4 – Protected against solid objects that measure 1 millimeter or more
5 – Protected against dust
6 – Completely dust tight
The number you should be paying the most attention to in a bathroom is the water protection, which is as follows:
0 – No Protection
1 – Protected from vertically falling water droplets
2 – Protected from any water that falls at an angle of 15 degrees onto the light
3 – Protected from water that falls at an angle of 60 degrees
4 – Protected from projection and splashing
5 – Protected from water jets with low pressure
6 – Protected from water jets with high pressure
7 – Protected from temporary immersion
8 – Protected against long periods of time immersed in water
Should You Use Dimmable Pendant Lighting?
The ability to dim pendant lights is something you should certainly take advantage of. Dimming the lights leaves you in total control over the mood and ambience of the room. You can adjust them to be brighter or dimmer depending on whether you want task or mood lighting at different times during the day.
With dimmable lights, you can more easily integrate your pendant lights during the day. You can adjust those lights to seamlessly complement the natural light as it waxes and wanes throughout the daytime and evening. It will give you an effortless transition between sunlight and darkness.
You can improve the visual comfort of a space with visible lights. Dimmed lights are easier on the eyes and won’t cause as much glare. When you need more lighting for certain tasks, you can get it just by turning the brightness up.
Dimming your lights as bedtime draws near may also help you get better sleep. By reducing the amount of light exposure before bed, you may be able to keep your circadian rhythm in check. A healthy circadian rhythm promotes healthier, deeper sleep, which could benefit your overall well-being.
Then, there is the more practical reasoning: efficiency. Dimming the lights lowers the already low consumption of energy your LED lights use. Doing so can also extend the lifespan of your bulbs.
Advice on Pendant Lighting Installation
One of the biggest perks of pendant lighting is how easy they are to install. Installation can be completed in only a few simple steps.
When you’re ready to install pendant lights, be sure that you turn off the power before you do anything else. This will eliminate the risk of accidental electric shocks. To be extra sure the lights are off, use a tester tool.
Drill the necessary holes you will need to support the ceiling bracket. Screw the mounting bracket onto the ceiling. From there, you can connect the wires to the light. If you are not comfortable doing the wiring, it is recommended that you have a qualified electrician come and set up the lights for you.
With the wires in place, you can attach the pendant lamp and insert the light bulb. Turn the power back on and test it to make sure everything is in working order.
How To Maintain Ceiling Pendant Lights
Maintaining pendant lights is an easy task to complete. In order to ensure that your lights look and operate their best, it is important to clean them off regularly. Taking a duster to the pendant lights every so often will remove surface debris that might otherwise dim the illumination coming from the bulbs.
Deep cleaning your lights should occur once or twice per year to get rid of any caked-on debris that is hard to remove with a casual cleaning. This will also give you a chance to remove smudges on lamp shades and wipe down the cords or chains they hang from for a refreshing atmosphere.
Deep cleaning will also let you see if there are any faulty or broken parts that now or will soon need repairing or replacing for upmost safety, so you can take care of them sooner rather than later.
Common Pendant Lighting Mistakes to Avoid
When installing pendants, there are a few common mistakes that many amateur interior designers tend to make. Check out the following pendant lighting installation tips to ensure your lights are properly placed.
- WRONG SIZE PENDANTS. Be sure that you are choosing pendant lights that are appropriate for the size of the room. Large rooms will need larger pendants, and sometimes, they will need clusters of pendant lights. Smaller rooms can usually get away with solitary, smaller pendant lights. This will avoid overcrowding spaces that already feel cramped.
- IMPROPER SPACING. Putting pendant lights too close together or too far apart can cause hotspots of light. It can also cast unwanted shadows. Place your pendant lights near one another in a way that is proportionate to the rest of the room.
- CLASHING LIGHT TEMPERATURES. Warm lights tend to be preferred in domestic settings. That said, warm and cool lights both have their perks and places in the home. Be sure you only choose one or the other, though; having both cool and warm light temperatures in a space can cause abrasive clashing.
- TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW. Take care to hang the lights at the right position in each room. This tends to be around eye-level for seating areas like dining tables and desks. In the middle of rooms, aim for around seven feet off of the ground.
Creative Ideas for Hanging Pendant Lights
Below are a few ways to consider lighting your home with LED pendant lighting:
With its circular shape and cylindrical top, the LPL364 5 Watt Hanging LED Pendant Light is an ultra-modern addition to any area. It is particularly well suited for hanging in odd numbers over kitchen counters and islands. The minimalistic appeal and neutral colour choices make it simple to add to the decor of any room without clashing.
For a modern light that plays up the beauty of wood, try the LPL350 4 Watt Beech Wood LED Pendant Light. This light features a decorative light-coloured beech wood disc that has an exposed bulb hanging beneath it, giving it a timeless industrial look. It attaches to a gold-toned upper portion that attaches to the rod and the vibrant red cord that adds a streak of modern colour.
Add a vibrant pop of colour to your kitchen with the LPL335 20 Watt LED Pendant Light – Up And Down Lighter. The light features two shallow bowl-shaped ends that are facing away from each other. This allows the light to shine up and down, which will spread out the illumination more easily. The light is available in fun colours like cherry red, lime green and lemon yellow, but you can also get it in neutral grey, white and black.
For an industrial modern look, you can’t go wrong with the LPL142A 20 Watt Black LED Pendant Ceiling Light. This long, straightforward bar light brings minimalism to new heights. It is particularly well suited for task lighting or as a way to light an entire island all at once. Thanks to its black finish, it won’t draw too much attention. Instead, it will fit into the decor and subtly do its job.
The LPL385 6 Watt Modern Round Hanging LED Pendant Light stands out with its almost umbrella-shaped design. It has a large metal lamp shade at the top with a light-coloured finish that reflects the light down and spreads it out over a larger area of space. The light is well suited for making breakfast bars and islands stand out. Choose from either a cherry red light, a light grey colour or a stark black hue.
Final Thoughts
LED pendant lights are a beautiful way to light various rooms of the house. They are quite versatile and easy to work with, giving you a lot of room to get creative. Above, we explored a few common questions regarding hanging LED pendant lights. We have also offered tips and ideas for how to hang them.
