Tips for Choosing Pendant Lighting

The first thing to get a grasp on before you  is the style of your home’s overall decor. Look for materials, colors and textures that go with your home’s architectural and style elements. Choose metals like chrome for a sleek, modern feel or opt for brass to fit a home that’s more classic and traditional. There are so many styles, colors and materials out there. A good idea would be to browse magazines or home design sites online to get some ideas of what you like prior to shopping. If you are going with multiple fixtures above a counter or other work space, it’s best to go with the rule of three, choosing three of the same lamp to space evening apart in the space.

You want the size and scale of your pendant lighting fixtures to flow comfortably with that of your room before you Buy product. Thus, if your room is large, with oversized furnishings, it’s likely that you can go big and bold with your light fixtures. On the other hand, a small, compact area may require a more petite pendant. If you’re hanging pendants above a counter, a common rule of thumb is to be sure the diameter of the pendant fixture is at least 10″ smaller than the counter width in order to ensure there is enough headroom for the people who are seated there.

Once you’ve determined the size range of the lights you’ll need and are ready to hang them, the next question you’re likely to have is at what height to hang your lighting fixtures. The bottom edge of your light fixture should be approximately 30″ above the surface of the table, bar or counter below it. This height allows sufficient illumination without glare, as well as plenty of headroom. However, if you have tall ceilings, more than 8′ high, you’ll want to add an extra 3″ to the height of the pendant for every additional foot.

These are a few tips to get you started on the right track to the perfect pendant lighting. Happy shopping!