Hanging Pendant Light Fixtures at the Right Height

Hanging Pendant Light Fixtures at the Right Height

Pendant light fixtures – also called drops, hanging lamps or chandeliers—have become the modern lighting solution of choice for most homes. Available in a dizzying number of styles, shapes and sizes, hanging light fixtures can be hung from the ceiling at any height—adding dimension, versatility and functionality to any room, whether the bathroom or kitchen.

How high or low you hang a fixture from the ceiling changes the design of a room—from the lighting and atmosphere to the room’s perceived size and proportions. Determining the right height to hang your pendant light fixtures is part science and part art. Since lighting is such an integral part of home design, plan the details of your hanging light fixtures at the earliest phase of any renovation—down to getting the right height. Pendant lighting done effectively increases the perceived real estate value of your home and adds much appreciated functionality.

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Planning Your Pendant Lighting Design

How low or high you hang pendant light fixtures is as important as the styles and sizes you choose. Your choices ultimately depend upon the unique specs of your home and decor.

When planning your lighting design options, consider your lighting needs for both day and night. The hanging aspect of pendant lights makes them highly functional—capable of providing general diffuse lighting, as well as more focused task lighting. Think about all the ways you intend to use a room. In a dining room where you want more intimacy, you might prefer to hang a pendant lower—whether it’s a chandelier, a drum shape or whatever style. You can always program the light for dimming or brightening the atmosphere. Consider adding longer shades on down lights to shield glaring bulbs. You can also add diffusers to shield bulbs.

The myriad shapes and designs of hanging light fixtures allow many design possibilities. Whether you are considering a series of frosted glass pendants above a kitchen island or a translucent globe shaped pendant in the bedroom, take the time to study the possibilities and effects of different lighting heights.

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Suggested Measurements for Hanging Pendant Light Fixtures

Like wall hangings, pendant light fixtures tend to look more elegant when hung lower. But keep in consideration that you might need to adjust lighting heights according to the heights of people in your home.

Designers recommend hanging most pendant lights approximately 28 to 32 inches above the top of a table. The larger your table or furniture, the higher the fixture can go.

In kitchens, designers recommend hanging pendant lights approximately 30 to 40 inches above counters—or about 6 feet from the ground.

Consult with professional lighting designers for variables with measurements. Every home and décor is unique.

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Plan with An Eye for Design

Pendant light fixtures are an integral part of your home design. Plan ahead with the details and your renovation will be more cohesive and on budget. Contractors will be more efficient knowing how you want fixtures wired and hung.

No designer eye is perfect. If you change your mind in the future, you can always resize the chains and downrods, which hold fixtures, to change the height. But getting it right the first time pays off in an impressive and functional home design.

QUICK TIPS

• Pendant light fixtures—also called hanging lamps or chandeliers—are the modern lighting solution of choice for most homes.

• How high or low you hang a fixture from the ceiling changes the perceived design of a room—so plan the style and height early in a renovation process.

• Pendant lighting done effectively increases the functionality and perceived real estate value of your home.

• Pendant light fixtures are functional since they can provide both general diffuse lighting and more focused task lighting—while also adding dimension and style to rooms.

Also Read: Redo Old Kitchen Cabinets to Look Like New

• Like wall hangings, pendant light fixtures tend to look more elegant when hung lower, but heights will vary according to unique spaces and the heights of people living in them.

• Hang most pendant lights approximately 28 to 32 inches above the top of a dining table.

• In kitchens, hang most pendant lights approximately 30 to 40 inches above a counter.

• Hanging pendant light fixtures is a science and an art—consult with a professional lighting designer and study the space you are lighting.

Also Read: Kitchen Backsplash Ideas to Transform any Kitchen