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Pendant lights over a kitchen island offer both practicality and style. They illuminate the area, enhancing visibility for cooking tasks while also serving as decorative focal points. Considering the kitchen island’s size and height, proper placement ensures optimal functionality and aesthetic appeal. Choosing fixtures that complement the kitchen’s design and provide sufficient task lighting creates a harmonious and inviting culinary space.
How many pendant lights do I need?
To determine the number of pendant lights over your kitchen island, consider the island length and pendant diameter. The “rule of three” is a general guide, with two pendants suitable for islands under 6 feet and three for longer ones. Calculating the pendant width involves subtracting 12 inches from the island’s width, establishing the maximum diameter. The optimal kitchen pendant light height, which is vital for avoiding collisions, is 30 to 36 inches above the island countertop.
Fom left: Extra warm white 2700K, Warm White 3000K, Cool White 4000K, Daylight 5000K to 6500K
Pendant light lumens
A common misconception is that higher LED colour temperature indicates increased brightness, but what quantifies brightness is lumens. The additional phosphor coating on blue LEDs for warmer tones creates a perception of cooler colours being slightly brighter. Cool white typically boasts approximately 5 per cent more lumens than warm white. Here are the four main colour temperatures used in modern-day LED lights for comparison.
- Extra Warm White 2700K: This offers warm, slightly whiter illumination and is sometimes known as ‘soft white.’
- Warm White 3000K: Offering clear, warm illumination, this is a popular choice, being neither too warm nor cold.
- Cool White 4000K: Clear, white light may feel clinical, but when used correctly, can make a room appear more modern and cleaner.
- Daylight 5000K - 6500K: A step beyond cool white, this adds a blue tinge to the environ- ment —harsh for some, adored by others.
When selecting kitchen pendants, coherence in design elements is key. While exact matching is not required, the chosen fixtures should share common characteristics, whether in style or material. Mixing metals is acceptable, but it should be done thoughtfully to maintain harmony within the home.
Pendant light common mistakes
According to interior designer Tyler Wisler, he often sees pendant light mistakes: “I tend to see pendants that are just far too small for the proportion of the island. If the pendants you like are on the smaller side, try clustering two or three of them together to essentially act as one fixture. Then you can literally group a couple of these over the island. I think this would be so much cooler looking that wimpy fixtures that can’t hold their own.
The first thing to create “a mood” is to get pendants that can be dimmed. This is my number one pet peeve when you can’t fully control the light output of a fixture. Just dialling back the wattage output in a fixture can dramatically change the mood of everything.
When you are choosing pendants or any hanging fixtures anywhere, the odds are you can probably still go bigger! People are scared at the thought of their lighting being overwhelming, where 90 per cent of the time, I’m underwhelmed with the scale of the fixtures in places. Don’t be scared to fill the void with a beautiful fixture!”
With most open-plan or dry kitchens bearing an elongated layout in an apartment, additional concealed lighting needs to be added to provide extra glow to areas where the lights of the pendants can’t reach.
9 Designer Pendant Lights & Lamps
Modern pendant lamps blend artistic expression with functionality, creating eye-catching displays over the dining table or kitchen island. Here are some of our favourite head-turning pendant lights.
| Pendant Light | Price |
|---|---|
| GUBI Multi Lite Pendant Lamp | $1,218 |
| Marset Discoco by Christophe Mathieu | $2,008 |
| Boba Chain Pendant Light by the LAB2.1 | $599 |
| SkLO Lasso 1.0 | $7,299 |
| Louis Poulsen PH Artichoke | $21,365 |
| Louis Poulsen PH 5 | $1,800 |
| IKEA KALLFRONT/ HEMMA | $32 |
| Langley Porcelain Bottle Pendant Lamp | $115 |
| Moooi Serpentine Light | $1,045 |
Danish Design Co GUBI Multi Lite Pendant Lamp, $1,128
1. GUBI Multi Lite Pendant Lamp, $1,128 from Danish Design Co
GUBI is a Danish design company that was founded in 1967 by Gubi and Lisbeth Olsen. Over the decades, GUBI has earned a reputation for creating elegant, contemporary designs while reviving iconic furniture and lighting from mid-century designers. The company is known for blending modernist, minimalist design with timeless aesthetics, producing pieces that are both functional and artistic.
One of their standout products is the GUBI Multi-Lite Pendant Lamp, designed by Louis Weisdorf in 1972. The design of the lamp is notable for its geometric, sculptural appearance, featuring two rotating outer shades that allow for versatile light direction. The hemispherical shades can be adjusted to create a variety of lighting effects, making it suitable for direct or indirect lighting, depending on the user’s preference. The lamp is made from high-quality materials and comes in a range of finishes, such as chrome, brass, and various colors, offering flexibility to suit different interiors.
The Multi-Lite Pendant Lamp is celebrated for its balance of form and function, embodying the minimalist yet bold aesthetic typical of Danish design. It has become an iconic piece, appreciated for its blend of elegance and innovation, making it a popular choice for both modern and traditional interiors.
Marset Discoco by Christophe Mathieu, $2,008 from Grafunkt
2. Marset Discoco by Christophe Mathieu, $2,008 from Grafunkt
The Discoco Pendant Lamp by Marset is a striking and artistic lighting fixture, designed in 2008 by Spanish designer Christophe Mathieu. Known for its dynamic play of light and shadow, the Discoco is made up of a series of overlapping disks, which create a dramatic lighting effect. When illuminated, the discs reflect light, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow around the room.
The pendant lamp is often described as both decorative and functional, offering ambient lighting that enhances any space. Available in a variety of sizes and finishes, including white, black, and grey, the Discoco can complement both modern and traditional interiors. Its unique, sculptural design makes it a popular choice for living rooms, dining areas, and even commercial spaces like hotels and restaurants.
Christophe Mathieu, born in 1961 in Germany, is a renowned designer with a unique blend of cultural influences. Having grown up in the Canary Islands, Mathieu was exposed to a variety of artistic traditions, which later influenced his design philosophy. He studied interior design in Barcelona and has worked on numerous product designs, specializing in lighting.
Mathieu is known for creating innovative, contemporary lighting solutions that balance form and function. His designs often incorporate sculptural elements, with a focus on the interaction between light and shadow. The Discoco is one of his most iconic works, embodying his signature approach to playful yet practical lighting design.
Mathieu’s collaboration with Marset, a Spanish lighting brand, has produced several other successful lighting designs, making him a key figure in modern European lighting design.
Boba Chain Pendant Light by Sol Luminaire the LAB2.1, $599
3. Boba Chain Pendant Light by Sol Luminaire the LAB2.1, $599
The Boba Chain Pendant Light from Sol Luminaire’s The Lab2.1 is a contemporary and elegant lighting fixture designed to add sophistication to modern interiors. Inspired by the shape and essence of boba pearls from bubble tea, the pendant features rounded glass orbs that are suspended on a chain, offering a blend of both playful and minimalistic design.
Sol Luminaire, a lighting company in Singapore, is known for its innovative, design-focused lighting solutions. The Boba Chain Pendant Light is part of their Lab2.1 collection, which emphasizes bespoke, high-quality lighting that enhances the aesthetics of modern living spaces. This fixture stands out due to its clean lines and the balance between its delicate glass form and the industrial edge of its chain suspension. It’s ideal for dining rooms, kitchens, or any area where a striking yet subtle lighting piece is desired.
The Boba Chain Pendant is also customizable, with different finishes for the chain and glass orbs, allowing homeowners or designers to tailor it to their specific interior design needs.
Lasso 1.0 by SkLO, $7,299 from Sol Luminaire
4. Lasso 1.0 by SkLO, $7,299 from Sol Luminaire
The Lasso 1.0 by SkLO is an elegant and modern lighting fixture known for its distinctive, sculptural design. SkLO, a design studio based in California and the Czech Republic, specializes in creating contemporary lighting and glassworks with a strong focus on craftsmanship.
The Lasso 1.0 pendant features a handblown glass sphere, which appears to be “lassoed” by a loop of solid brass tubing. The brass tube wraps around the glass, creating an impression of fluidity and movement, which is a hallmark of SkLO’s design aesthetic. The glass sphere is left open at the bottom, providing a functional yet soft diffusion of light.
The fixture embodies a balance between industrial and delicate elements, with the brass tubing offering a strong, architectural structure, while the glass introduces a sense of fragility and elegance. The Lasso 1.0 is versatile enough to be used as a standalone statement piece or in clusters for a more dramatic visual impact. It is available in various finishes and glass colors, allowing for customization based on individual tastes and room decor.
SkLO is known for its commitment to traditional glassblowing techniques, and the Lasso 1.0 showcases this with its handblown glass component. Each piece is individually crafted in the Czech Republic, which is renowned for its centuries-old glassblowing heritage. The brass elements are also hand-finished, adding to the artisanal quality of the fixture.
Louis Poulsen PH Artichoke, $21,365
5. Louis Poulsen PH Artichoke, $21,365
The Louis Poulsen PH Artichoke is an iconic pendant lamp designed by Poul Henningsen in 1958 for the Langelinie Pavilion, a modernist restaurant in Copenhagen, Denmark. Known for its distinctive, sculptural design, the lamp is made up of 72 leaves arranged in 12 rows, which reflect light both inward and outward to create soft, glare-free illumination.
The PH Artichoke is celebrated for its unique shape and meticulous construction, designed to emit a completely uniform, glare-free light from all angles. The 72 copper, steel, or aluminum “leaves” are placed in a way that the light source itself is never visible. This thoughtful arrangement makes it ideal for creating ambient lighting in spaces like dining rooms, living areas, or even large public settings such as hotels and restaurants.
The fixture comes in a range of sizes and finishes, including copper, white, and brushed steel, allowing it to fit different types of interiors. Its organic form is reminiscent of an artichoke, hence the name, and it has become one of the most recognizable and celebrated pieces in modern lighting design.
Louis Poulsen PH 5, $1,800
6. Louis Poulsen PH 5, $1,800
The Louis Poulsen PH 5 is one of the most famous pendant lamps designed by Poul Henningsen in 1958. Known for its timeless, minimalist design, the PH 5 was created to provide uniform, glare-free lighting, regardless of the type or size of the light bulb used. It has since become an icon of modern Danish design and is still produced by Louis Poulsen today.
The PH 5 features a three-shade system, which is characteristic of Henningsen’s work. The shades are arranged to diffuse light both horizontally and vertically, producing soft and even illumination. The design ensures that the light source is hidden, eliminating glare and creating a warm, welcoming glow.
The lamp’s original design was named “PH 5” because it was intended to fit a 5-inch light bulb. The fixture is made from spun aluminum and comes in a variety of colors, including classic white and modern hues like matte black, blue, and copper. The use of multiple colors adds depth and visual interest to the design, making it a versatile option for various interior styles.
IKEA KALLFRONT Wire Lamp & IKEA HEMMA wire cord set, $32
7. IKEA KALLFRONT Wire Lamp, $32
The IKEA KALLFRONT Wire Lamp Pendant Light is designed as part of IKEA’s modern lighting collection, known for its minimalist, industrial style. The pendant features a wire cage design, which adds a contemporary, edgy aesthetic to any space. The exposed lightbulb design gives it a versatile and functional appeal, often used in kitchens, dining rooms, or living areas to create a statement look.
The IKEA HEMMA is not a specific furniture piece but rather a lamp cord set often used as a base for hanging pendant lamps at IKEA. The HEMMA set includes a long cord and socket, allowing you to customize your lighting setup by pairing it with various IKEA light shades. It’s designed to be versatile and easy to install, often chosen for modern or minimalist interiors due to its simple and functional look.
Light Vault Langley Porcelain Bottle Pendant Lamp, $115
8. Langley Porcelain Bottle Pendant Lamp, $115 from Light Vault
The Langley Porcelain Bottle Pendant Lamp is a modern lighting fixture that combines sleek design with practical functionality. Its unique bottle-shaped porcelain shade, paired with a twisted cord and gold bulb holder, creates a visually striking and eye-catching piece.
Key features of the Langley Porcelain Bottle Pendant Lamp include:
- Porcelain Shade: Crafted from high-quality porcelain, the shade provides a soft, diffused light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
- Twisted Cord: The twisted cord adds a touch of industrial chic and complements the modern aesthetic of the lamp.
- Gold Bulb Holder: The gold-finished bulb holder provides a luxurious and elegant touch.
- Versatile Design: The lamp can be used in various settings, including kitchens, dining rooms, and living spaces.
- Easy Installation: With a simple installation process, you can quickly enjoy the benefits of this stylish light fixture.
Space Furniture Moooi Serpentine Light, $1,045
9. Moooi Serpentine Light, $1,045 from Space Furniture
Moooi, pronounced “moo-ee,” is a Dutch design brand renowned for its innovative, playful, and often unexpected approach to furniture, lighting, and home accessories. Founded in 1999 by Marcel Wanders and Casper Vissers, Moooi has quickly established itself as a leading force in the global design scene.
The Serpentine Light, a striking and unique piece designed by the Swedish duo Front for Moooi, was inspired by the simple act of twisting and turning a piece of paper. The designers were captivated by the way paper could be manipulated to create intricate shapes and patterns, and they sought to translate this concept into a functional lighting fixture.