We see it all the time: builder-grade kitchens with bland, uninspiring pendant lights hanging predictably over the island. Set your kitchen island lighting apart from others, let pendant lights light any space from your kitchen island to your dining room table. Kitchen pendant lighting presents a unique opportunity to really spice things up. Think about how jewelry accessorizes an outfit. Pendant lights can do the same for a kitchen.
Kitchen pendant lighting can be a beautiful addition, but as an industry professional, you already know it can also serve a practical and functional purpose as well. Particularly when placed over the kitchen island or breakfast area, we can’t stress how important a combination of both task and ambient lighting is.
Let’s take a step back for just a minute. Task lighting makes it easier to perform whatever task the homeowner is tending to in the kitchen – slicing, dicing, chopping, etc. On the other hand, ambient lighting is more of a general lighting source. It’s bright, but doesn’t emit an uncomfortable glare. If a kitchen has no other type of lighting present, ambient lighting is always a must.
Now, on the subject of kitchen pendant lighting, it can actually be a complicated process to choose the right fixtures. (But rest assured it’ll all be a cinch when you leave the task to us.) When it comes to size, shape, length, texture and material, these factors will strongly affect how a kitchen looks once installation is complete. Let’s walk through a few of the elements that cannot be ignored.
For example, we can tell you that there’s a big difference between opaque pendant lights vs. transparent ones. A material like clear glass will allow light to be dispersed throughout the kitchen while a metal or stone pendant would block light as well as the bulb itself. This is just one choice that’s going to be critical in order for a particular kitchen to function the way the homeowner needs it to.
Some ideas you might like incorporated into your kitchen projects are:
- Glass pendant lighting – Ideal for lots of elegance, sparkle and an added sculptural effect. Custom glass can even be hand-blown, complete with tiny or large visible air bubbles. If clear glass isn’t a viable option, we can find a great milky, marble or tie-dye style finish instead. Talk about unique!
- Colorful pendant lighting – If exotic Bohemian or Moroccan is the style you’re going for, why not add a little (or a lot of) color with lights! From a line of identical blue fixtures to a rainbow of hanging lights, the possibilities truly are endless. Contrasting colors can also add a nice aesthetic.
- Industrial pendant lighting – From shiny chrome to a matte copper, there are lots of metals that can create a factory-style look and feel if that’s what you’re going for. Fun fact: Industrial style kitchen design is popular among professional chefs and those who have a special place in their hearts for the culinary arts.
- Staggered pendant lighting – Pendant lighting fixtures do not all have to be created equally. Add an unexpected touch by staggering each light – hang some low and some a bit higher.
Another consideration when it comes to kitchen pendant lighting is shapes. Round globes, domes, cones, cylinders, bells, discs, buckets, lanterns, bowls, cubes, exposed bulbs and much more are just a fraction of the shapes that can perfect your lighting fixtures.
Now, where will the kitchen pendant lights hang? Over the kitchen island, peninsula or breakfast nook is usually the best options. How many pendant lights will you need? You have the option to go with one giant, fabulous pendant that’ll grab everyone’s attention, or install a string of smaller lights. Pendants are commonly installed in odd numbers to ensure one is always placed in the middle while an even number works too. Keep in mind that quantity will depend largely on available hanging space and the size of each pendant. For example, if we’re installing large dome or globe pendants, a row of five probably won’t be ideal – unless you have a really big kitchen!
Chains, ropes, cords and poles can drastically change how the fixtures appear with their suspension. Typically, they’ll hang above eye level so as to avoid making contact with your head. Our recommendation is that they don’t hang too high, because the lighting will be too far away for meal prep and other tasks.
What kind of kitchen pendant lighting do you need? We’re here to help. Contact us today!
