Pendant lights have always been in vogue but lately they have come into their own. Apart from just providing light, pendant lights accentuate and complement the room design by adding visual interest, style and heaps of drama!
Pendants come in a range of shapes, sizes, materials and designs and it can be difficult to make up your mind. To make this process slightly less tiresome, I’ve collated a list of fundamental questions to ask about their use, existing aesthetics, where they will be placed etc before you make that decision.
Location & Use Where will the pendant light be located and what is it’s purpose? Is it the only source of light in that room? Or will there be multiple light sources? For example is it for the study or to hang on top of the dining table or is it for the entryway or a long and narrow corridor? All pertinent questions that need to be contemplated on before you get down to the nitty gritty.
Aesthetics & interior design Assess and consider the overall interior design of your home and the space. The pendant needs to be complementary to your home decor and fit the design style of the room. Don’t be afraid to mix and match, however ensure that the contrasting styles flow cohesively.
Material Think about the material of the pendant that would fit the style of your home. Would you like a large industrial metal pendant for visual appeal, a basket weave pendant for drama or delicate wooden pendants to add warmth and texture? The existing interior design of your home will determine the material of the pendant.
Colour Pendants come in various colours. However it is important to consider whether you would like the pendant to draw your attention or blend into the overall design. Lately I’ve been noticing pendants with minimalist exteriors and gold paint on the insides and they look absolutely stunning! For a nursery, playroom or a toddler room, brightly coloured pendants can add to the happy vibe whereas either Tom Dixon rose gold metal shades or white bell pendants look great over the kitchen counter.
How many do I need? How many is too many, that is the million dollar question! It all depends on the look you are striving to achieve. Sometimes just one large statement pendant works beautifully, other times, the space may demand a cluster of smaller pendants. Consider the aesthetics of the space and the use before deciding on the number.
Size and Scale of pendant Again this will depend on the room and it’s size and the use of the pendant. Larger pendants make quite the style statement whereas smaller pendants can also add to the drama in a room. A large pendant over the dining table works well in some cases, and in others a cluster of smaller glass bulbs add immense visual appeal. For pendants over the kitchen counter, interior designers usually choose two or three pendants hung at appropriate height so that it looks good and also assists in food prep and entertaining. In the bedroom, smaller pendants over the bedsides are hung lower than larger pendants that need to be hung higher. In the hallway, small pendants hanging on the side of an entry way table can look just as stylish as a couple of opulent pendants in the middle of the ceiling. More often than not, the interior design of the room will define and determine to a certain extent the size of pendant light you choose.
Ceiling height The hanging height of the pendant will depend on the height of your ceiling. Some designers state that pendants should ideally hang 12-20 inches below a standard 8-foot ceiling and for each additional foot of ceiling height, add 3 inches. However this rule can change from room to room. For example, the height of the pendant above the dining table or the kitchen bench will differ from pendants lights hanging on the bedside tables, hallways and bathrooms. As a rule, always stand back and judge the height before you finalise!
Budget There are hundreds of pendants available for a multitude of budgets. Replica Lights have a vast range of designer pendant lights that will complement every decor and suit every budget! Even a small and subtle change to your lighting can have a huge impact on your home decor.
Lighting is an important element of any room however it can sometimes be the most underestimated part of interior design. Therefore, these are all fundamental questions that need to be asked and answered before you zero in on buying light pendants for your home. Good Luck!