What is a Pendant Light?
Need to give your home or office that extra boost of style? Statement pendant lights never go amiss. Whether you’re decorating a living room, office or kitchen, investing in pendant lighting that matches your decor is an interior design must-have.
But what are the basic principles of pendant lighting? How can you best utilise them in your space, and how do they differ from other forms of popular lighting? Today, Light Supplier will look in-depth at pendant lights to answer your most frequently asked questions.
What are pendant lights?
Pendant lights are fixtures that hang from the ceiling using a chain, cord, or rod. Their suspension in the air saves space in your room and acts as a functional, decorative light source.
While popular in homes, pendant lighting has its place in both commercial and residential spaces: from factories to warehouses, many rely on this traditionally single-bulb fixture for extra illumination and ambience.
Their shades can be made from glass, plastic, metal or even paper: which you choose depends on your surrounding area. More sleek, minimalistic spaces might opt for a chromatic pendant light, like our Edison Pendant Ceiling Light.
If you love classy yet bold decor, go all out and choose a dazzling statement pendant light, like our Eclipse 5 Light Round Drop Adjustable LED Ceiling Pendant.
Eclipse 5 Light Round Drop Adjustable LED Ceiling Pendant
Pendant lights are the ultimate way to draw attention. Not only will they make your space more liveable, but the right product can put the finishing touches on any renovation or re-decoration project.
So, once you’ve settled on a design that suits your style, where and how do you use pendant lights? At Light Supplier, we think they’re most suitable for general, area, and task lighting.
What is general lighting?
General lighting is a room’s primary lighting source. It will act as the foundation for your lighting plan and should be able to illuminate your office, living room or bedroom easily. Simply place your pendant light in the centre of your room, and voila!
What is area lighting?
Area lighting is more about illuminating specific areas or objects. Pendant lighting could be used to zone a dining room or a reading nook, distinguishing it from another area of a more open-plan space.
What is task lighting?
Task lighting is used to illuminate tasks or activities such as reading, cooking, or desk work. If you hang your pendant lights directly above your work area, they will act as a spotlight so you can complete your tasks with maximum light.
What is the difference between a pendant light and a ceiling light?
We know pendant lights are suspended from the ceiling, but how do they differ from ceiling lights?
Well, these fixtures are often installed directly onto the ceiling. Ceiling lights are arguably more functional than pendants, mostly used as general lighting instead of task or area lighting.
Pendant lights are both decorative and functional and can highlight specific areas of a room or create a certain mood with their shades.
What is the difference between a pendant light and a chandelier?
There are even more similarities between pendant lights and chandeliers than ceiling lights: what’s the difference? Although both light sources are suspended from the ceiling, their distinctions lie in intended function and design.
As we know, pendant lights are traditional single-bulb fixtures that can be used for general, task and area lighting purposes.
Chandeliers are more elaborate fixtures, usually featuring multiple branches or arms with light sources arranged in a decorative pattern. Like pendant lights, they can be made from crystal, glass, metal, or natural fabrics like wood or shells.
Chandeliers are much less likely to be used as task lighting. Rather, their larger size and grand designs lend them better to general lighting, like in the centre of a living room or suspended from a high ceiling in a hallway.
Where should I position my pendant lights?
Where you position your pendant lights depends on several factors, many of which are unique to your home and chosen products. But that doesn’t mean we can’t give some great general guidelines!
Over a dining table
Pendant lights can provide task lighting for a dining table by hanging them directly above it. The general rule is to hang the pendant light 70cm to 100 cm above the tabletop or 150 to 160 cm from the floor.
In the kitchen
Pendant lights can be used as task lighting for a kitchen island or countertop. The pendants should be hung 70 to 100 cm above the surface.
In the bedroom
Pendant lights can be used as bedside lighting by hanging them on either side of the bed. The pendants should be hung at a comfortable height for reading, typically 45 to 60 cm above the mattress.
In the living room
Pendant lights can be used to provide ambient lighting in the living room. They can be hung in a central location, such as the middle of the room, or above a coffee table or seating area.
In a hallway or entryway
Pendant lights can add style and interest to a hallway or entryway. They should be hung at a height that allows for safe passage, typically 7 to 8 feet above the floor.
Choose Light Supplier for Premium Pendant Lights!
It’s never too late to light up your home. If our comprehensive guide to pendant lighting has inspired you, why not check out our unbeatable selection? Our LED Pendant Lights have the power to transform any lounge, kitchen or dining room in your home: you just need to find the right one!