Behind the Design: Selecting the Perfect Kitchen Island Pendant Lights
design by Lola Interiors
You'll often hear us raving about how lighting is the "jewelry" of a home and the power it has to make or break a space! In modern kitchens, the island is the heart of the home, well-deserving of beautiful fixtures to make it shine! A bit of "bling" extending down from the ceiling can make a HUGE impact!
When it comes to selecting the perfect fixtures, we're here to help! With hundreds of beautiful styles to choose from, we can find the ideal fit for your home - that both reflects your personality and provides the right amount of lighting to set the mood!
What to consider: scale, quantity, and finish!
Like color, size scares a lot of people. But there is no reason overhead pendant lamps have to be teeny tiny (except maybe very low ceilings). Going oversize makes a huge impact and can really liven up an otherwise boring room. Almost always, we opt for two or sometimes three pendants over an island, depending on size. We let the number of barstools play a factor in making that decision. For example, if a client wishes to incorporate three barstools, we recommend only two pendant lights to balance it out. The finish of your lights does not have to perfectly match the hardware finish in your kitchen, but it should complement it. So when shopping for your lights, remember: scale, quantity, and finish!
A few additional tips to consider when you're hunting for island pendants:
- Go bigger (likely bigger than you think!) Often that means two larger pendants, instead of three smaller pendants.
- Don't be afraid to go bold! Lighting is the jewelry of a home and your kitchen island deserves a statement piece!
- In a very small space, consider glass! You can still opt for a larger pendant, but the glass allows you to see straight through, taking up less visual space. We love a glass globe or cone!
FAQ'S:
Does my pendant finish need to match my hardware finish?
Your pendant finish does not have to match your hardware finish! But for a clean and classic look, try not to exceed two different metals in the space.
At what height should I hang my lights?
The typical rule of thumb for hanging pendant lights is to have the bottom of the light between 30”-36” above the top of the countertop.
This height allows the pendant lights to be functional in lighting the countertop and also decorative without blocking the view of those standing on either side of the island.
Of course this number can be fudged a little based on preference. For instance, if you feel the lights look a little too high at 30”, dropping them down to 28” could help make them feel more in proportion.
Which lights are right for my space?!
Still not sure which lights to choose? Schedule a complimentary consultation with the Cape House design team - our designer is happy to help you make this important selection!
