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The kitchen is a task-heavy space that requires plenty of lighting for clear visibility. Adding kitchen pendant lighting can help you dress up the kitchen while also providing ample light.
In this article, we’ll take a look at pendant lights for kitchen, including advice on choosing the best ones for you.
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What Are Pendant Kitchen Lights?Â
Otherwise known as kitchen drop lights, kitchen pendants are simply hanging kitchen lights that are suspended from the ceiling. They tend to come on a long cord, oftentimes adjustable in length. The lamp head hangs from the cord and shines light down on the space below it.
Pendant lights have remained popular throughout the decades, changing in style and taking modern shape over the years. Their versatility is unmatched, and the style they bring to a space is timeless.
In a kitchen, pendant lights are good for many purposes. Hanging them over the island in odd numbers is a popular way to install them. Positioning them over countertops and workspaces to provide more focused task lighting is also common.
Why Choose LED Pendant Lights for Your Kitchen?Â
What is considered the best kitchen ceiling pendant lights will vary from person to person. However, there is one common thread throughout them all that you should consider: LED bulbs.
LED bulbs are as popular as the kitchen hanging lights they are nestled in. LED bulbs offer many benefits, especially when you compare them to their traditional counterparts.
As most know, they are incredibly energy efficient. They use 80 percent less energy than halogen and incandescent bulbs; LEDs turn all energy into light instead of first making heat, like halogens do.
Their energy efficiency also makes them incredibly long lasting. LED lights are rated to last tens of thousands of hours, compared to the 1,000 or so hours of a halogen bulb. Their long lifespan also means you won’t have to change them out as often. This can save you on costs of replacements.
Such energy efficiency can also save you money in other ways. Less energy used to light them means a smaller strain on your electricity usage. This will translate to a reduction in your energy bills.
Another perk of LED bulbs is their sheer versatility. LED bulbs come in a number of lumen counts and colour temperatures. This will help you stay in total control over the appearance of the lights themselves.
Understanding Brightness Levels and Color Temperatures in LED LightingÂ
When shopping for LED bulbs you may notice on the packaging words like lumen count or colour temperature. These are two important metrics to understand before choosing your new kitchen pendants.
Lumens are simply a way to indicate how bright an LED light is. Lumens are similar to the way watts are used to describe halogen bulbs. The higher the lumen count, the brighter the light will be.
The number of lumens you will need for your kitchen kitchen ceiling pendant lights will depend heavily on your unique kitchen. The size of the kitchen, number of lights you intend to hang, and where you plan on placing them all come into effect.
Colour temperature, also known as CCT, is a way to discuss the perceived warmth or coolness of a lamp. Colour temperatures exist on a scale of 1,000 to 10,000 and is measured in Kelvin.
Lights on the lower end of the spectrum are warmer, while lights that are higher are cooler. Both warm and cool lights have their own applications. In most cases, people will choose warm over cool lights for their kitchens.
When it comes to hanging lights for kitchen spaces, it is generally recommended that you choose warm white lighting somewhere between 3000K and 3300K. This will provide clear visibility but will remain gentle on the eyes. That said, those who want a more vibrant kitchen space may benefit from cooler lights between 4000K and 6000K.
Using Pendant Lights Over a Kitchen Island or Breakfast BarÂ
One of the most popular ways to use pendant lights in kitchen spaces is to install kitchen island lights. Hanging lights over an island can draw attention to the center of the room, creating a focal point in the space.
When hanging lights over an island, it is recommended that you install them in odd numbers. Smaller islands look nice with three pendant lights, while larger ones look best with five.
As you hang them, take care not to hang them too high or too low. You want to keep them at eye level so as not to create glare, while also ensuring enough light is shining below.
Advice on Hanging Breakfast Bar LightsÂ
Once you have decided which pendant downlights you want to use, you can start thinking about installation. Follow these tips to ensure perfect placement of your suspended kitchen lights.
Rule of Three
A kitchen single pendant light can be hung over smaller areas, like a countertop. Still, when it comes to breakfast bars and islands, it is best to stick to the rule of three.
This rule dictates that to maintain balance and symmetry, you should repeat a certain element three times. Odd numbers tend to look better visually than even ones. You can create a sense of movement and dynamics in the kitchen this way.
When it comes to placement, you need to take a few things into account. This includes:
- ceiling height
- average height of your family members
- use of the space
Knowing these things will help you get a feel for how many lights you need, and where to place them.
Hanging Height
As a general rule, it is recommended that you hang your pendants about 7 feet from the floor to the bottom of the lamp. This ensures there is enough clearance so no one is bumping their heads while also preventing glare. Another way to do this is to hang the lights around 3 feet from the top of the counter.
Spacing
When spacing your pendant kitchen light fitting, you should aim to hang them symmetrically. Begin with a light directly over the center of the island. From there, space the others on either side of it, around 60 to 75 centimeters apart.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying LED Pendant LightsÂ
Get the best results from your kitchen pendants by avoiding these common mistakes.
- WRONG PENDANT SIZE. If you have a small island, oversized pendants can make it look and feel cramped. Similarly, if your island is large, small pendant lights may get swallowed up in all of the space. Choose lights that are proportional to the island or breakfast bar itself for best results.
- CLASHING COLOUR TEMPERATURES. Once you decide on a colour temperature, you’ll need to stick with it. Having both warm and cool lights in a space can cause an abrasive visual clash.
- CHOOSING THE WRONG SIZE. As mentioned, it’s important to get a lamp that is proportionate to the rest of the room or furnishings.
- NOT LAYERING LIGHTS. Your pendant lights shouldn’t be the only source of light in your kitchen. They work best as task lights instead of the main lighting. Supplement the island lights with other task lights.
You will also want to add a main, or ambient, overhead light, such as recessed ceiling lights. Accent lighting can also enhance the kitchen when placed in shelving, near art pieces or on any accent walls.
How to Layer Lighting With LED Pendants in the KitchenÂ
Layering lights is instrumental to the overall look and functionality of the kitchen. Layered light consists of three elements: ambient, task and accent lighting.
Ambient Lights
Ambient lighting is your main source of illumination in a room. This usually comes in the form of a main, central ceiling light. All other light you add will supplement this light.
Some ideas for ambient kitchen light include:
- recessed ceiling lights
- surface mounted ceiling lights
- hanging pendant lights
Task Lights
As the name suggests, task lighting is designed to make completing tasks more comfortable. It is bright and focused, shining direct illumination where you need it most. In the kitchen, this means installing them over sinks, counters and islands. Some popular fixtures for task lighting include:
- hanging pendant lights
- spotlights
- table lamps
Accent Lights
Accent lighting highlights certain areas in the kitchen, creating a focal point or distinct mood. Accent lights can be implemented in man forms, including:
- spotlights
- kitchen plinth lights, or kickplate lights
- wall washing lights
ConclusionÂ
Pendant lights can take your kitchen to the next level. From countertops and workspaces to islands and breakfast bars, pendant lights are a versatile, attractive way to enhance the atmosphere and functionality alike. Keep this article near as you begin to plan your kitchen lighting scheme to ensure the best results possible.
Kitchen Pendant Light Ideas
Enhance your kitchen island and countertops with the LPL364 5 Watt Hanging LED Pendant Light. These hanging lights, available in white, black or black and gold finishes, are perfect for kitchens of any style. They shine 350 lumens each of 3000K warm white light at a 30 degree beam angle. These lights are durably built from aluminium and measure 148 millimeters in diameter.
Light up your kitchen with the retro-modern flair of the LPL354 6 Watt Globe LED Pendant Light. This light features a spherical shape consisting of an opal acrylic diffuser and an aluminium cap. The cap comes in your choice of neutral black or gleaming chrome. From within the globe, the fixture shines 600 lumens of 3000K warm white light. It measures 115 millimeters in diameter and features an adjustable 2000 millimeter drop cable.
Ideal for large islands and dining tables, the LPL142A 20 Watt Black LED Pendant Ceiling Light is an ultra long and bright pendant light for your kitchen. It shines brightly with 2000 lumens of 3000K warm white light. Overall, it measures 1170 millimeters in length and comes with a 1000 millimeter drop cable whose height you can adjust. It is durably built from aluminium with a brushed black finish.
Modernise your kitchen with the LPL410 15 Watt Linear LED Pendant Light. This pendant light features a rectangular body with three LED bulbs within. Together, they shine a total of 1500 lumens of 3000K warm white light with a CRI of >97. This high quality aluminium fixture is durable and long lasting. It measures 900 millimeters in length and includes an adjustable 2000 millimeter drop cable.
