Ideas and Advice For Buying Modern Pendant Lighting

Benefits of Pendant Lighting

Pendant lights are an easy way to add illumination and style to your space. Both commercial and domestic locations provide plenty of lighting opportunities for you to take advantage of. They are especially beneficial for smaller areas that need to save space.

Pendant ceiling lights provide the perfect balance of ambient and task lighting. This is due to the versatility of modern pendant lighting. You can hang pendants right over tables or desks for task lighting, and the ample illumination can shine from there and serve as ambient lighting for the entire room.

Pendants’ focused pools of light provide localised illumination for tasks such as cooking, food prep, reading, doing homework or engaging in hobbies. Aesthetics can also be taken into account when discussing the benefits of pendant lighting. Modern light fixtures can work well with your décor and can elevate its appearance instantly.

For those on a budget, pendant ceiling lights are a feasible choice. They don’t cost a lot of money compared to some other fixtures, making it easy to add style and illumination to your space without breaking the bank.

 

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 Position Pendant Lighting in a Room

Though there are some general rules of thumb for installing pendant lights as touched on above, there are some specific things to keep in mind depending on where you’re installing them.

 

Kitchen

Modern pendant lighting for kitchen spaces often comes in the form of kitchen island lights. Island lights are important as they provide the necessary task lighting for food prep and entertaining.

Pendant lights should hang about 80 centimeters apart from one another and 80 centimeters above a workspace. The latter is a good height to prevent glare. Be sure to hang pendants in odd numbers, which could vary from one to five depending on the island size and pendant size.

 

Corridors

In hallways with enough room, pendant lights are a great choice. Position them around 120 centimeters from nearby walls and about 215 centimeters from the floor.

 

Dining Room

Position pendant lights around 80 centimeters from the top of the table. Again, this is a nice height to avoid glare, which is particularly important when sitting at a dining table for long meals. You will also want to position the pendant lights no more than 15 centimeters away from the edge of the table.

 

Bedroom

If you want to use pendant lights as your bedside lighting, hang them around 40 to 55 centimeters above surfaces. Should you prefer to hang a pendant above the bed in the centre, aim for a height that is roughly 210 centimeters from the floor.

 

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.

 

Benefits of Using LED Pendant Lighting

LED lights are taking over traditional bulbs like halogen and incandescent. They offer benefits that only they can provide, such as:

 

• ENERGY EFFICIENCY. LED lights use up to 80 percent less energy than traditional bulbs. These lights transform almost all of their energy to light instead of turning to heat the way others do. This energy efficient method of lighting is gentler on both the environment and your wallet.

 

• LONG LIFE. LED bulbs are rated to last tens of thousands of hours, while traditional bulbs only last 1,000 hours or so before needing a replacement.

 

• COST SAVINGS. With less of a strain on your electrical supply, you can expect your energy bills to be cheaper. Because the lights will need to be replaced less often, you will also spend less money purchasing them.

 

• VERSATILITY. LED lights come in many cool and warm colour temperatures for you to choose from. They also are available in varying lumen counts, so you can get specific with just how bright you want your lights.

 

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.

 

 

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