When it comes to pendant lights in your kitchen it’s sometimes difficult knowing where to begin. There are thousands upon thousands of styles, finishes, shapes, and sizes! We realize we can talk forever about all the different types of pendant lights, but what about some tips and tricks about where to hang your pendants? Accepting that there is no set rule of measure (because all pendants are unique in shape and size), we can give you a general guideline of where to start. Want to learn more? Continue reading below!

Islands

When it comes to your kitchen islands, they are probably one of the most popular places to incorporate hanging pendants. Pendant lights are a great way to illuminate the island and also sets it apart from the rest of the kitchen allowing it to shine (pun intended)! For larger size pendants, a general rule is to allow 6-8” from the edge of the island, then about 24-30” between each pendant. For smaller pendants, allow about 16-18″ from the edge, and about 18-24″ between each pendant. Then, allow for about 30-33″ height between the countertop and bottom of the pendant.

Rectangular Eating Area

When it comes to your rectangular shape eating areas (such as a dining table), we apply the general rule of hanging pendants about 6-8″ inches from the edge of the table. If you have a large fixture, simply centering it on the table is the easiest way to get it right. Then allowing about 30-42″ from tabletop to the bottom of the fixture is about where it should hang.

Round Eating Area

Typically with a circular table, there will be one pendant light, but how large should this light fixture be? A very simple and general guideline to go with is half the diameter of the table. So, if your table is 36″ in diameter, then starting with an 18″ diameter light fixture would be a great place to start!

Final Thoughts

Keeping in mind that all pendant lights come in all different shapes and sizes, some of the above-mentioned measurements would be a good place to start, but you may find that making adjustments might suit your types of fixtures better.