Lighting is often considered the last step in the decorating process when it ideally should be considered when making critical and key design decisions. Every zone in your home requires its own style or type of lighting. For example the kitchen requires task lighting whereas a dining room requires ambience lighting. Lights are used to create impact as focal points or complement their surrounding as practical and functional lights. The secret to a well-designed and well-lit multi functional space is usually by layering the lighting – the right balance of down lights, floor lights and pendant lights.
Pendant lighting can be used for a number of purposes such as creating an ambient zone, to fill a space and also for undertaking practical and functional tasks.
Designer glass pendants are a hugely popular trend when it comes to using pendants to design a space. They are beautiful and functional. And this trend does not look like it’s going out of fashion any time soon!
Here are some of our top tips for hanging glass pendants to create a harmonious design in your home:
1. Corridor of dreams – Glass pendants in the entryway or when used to illuminate a long corridor add a very trendy and stylish lighting detail. Ensure that you hang the pendants with a minimum of six feet of clearance so that your tall guests don’t bump their heads. If you have higher ceilings opt for a minimum of 7 feet of clearance. Remember to space the pendants out symmetrically if you have a long hallway or corridor or add a statement glass pendant if it’s a smaller space.
2. Wow factor – An oversize glass pendant in the living room, over your coffee table would definitely add impact and serious wow factor. Again as with most living spaces, remember to layer lights adding sufficient down lights to illuminate the entire space. The height to hang a pendant over the coffee table would ideally depend on the scale of the room and size of the pendant. As a general rule, it is advised that the glass pendant be hung with a minimum of 6 feet of clearance underneath. You could definitely go slightly lower or higher depending on the furniture placement in the room and also your personal preference.
3. Hang and drop – This is ideal when hanging glass pendants over your kitchen bench where task lighting is key. As a general rule, you should hang glass pendants between 70cm – 80cm over the kitchen bench. However, remember to take into account the height of the ceiling in the room and also the height of the person using the space. If you have high ceilings you would need to drop the pendants ever so slightly. If you have uneven or pitched ceilings, you would need to consider the slope and customise the drop of each pendant to achieve a symmetrical look.
4. Zone it out – This is key when hanging glass pendants over your dining table. The height to hang the pendant light or a cluster of pendants would largely depend on the style and proportion of the light fixture. The rule of thumb is to hang the pendant or the lowest pendant if it’s a cluster, 76cm off your dining table. However ensure that it is high enough so it’s easy to see others across the table.
5. Bedroom delight – When hanging glass pendants on either side of your bed, remember to take into account the height of the ceiling and the height of the bedside tables. The usual height of hanging glass pendants on either side of the bed is a minimum of 35-50cm from on tops your bedside tables while also allowing for personal preference. You would need that amount of clearance to add essentials and some styling to your bedsides. Also remember that scale matters and therefore smaller glass pendants would be hung slightly lower than larger pendants. However, it also depends on your chosen style of glass fittings. There is exception for example, a long cylinder glass pendant on either side of bed, without any bedside tables and allow sufficient space to blend into your interior. If you are hanging a glass pendant in the centre of the room, above the bed, then the pendant should measure approximately 210cm from the floor. Again take into account the size of the fixture. Do also consider your wall light treatment. Click on following for more in-depth article about wall light in bedroom.
6. Zen space – Glass pendants in the bathroom definitely add a sense of Zen as well as visual impact! Hang glass pendants on either side of the bathroom mirror to add a sense of symmetry, style and cohesive design. If you have a tub, one pendant hung low in the corner by the tub also looks very stylish! Remember that essentially lighting in the bathroom is about tasks and also ambience. Remember to layer the lights in this room to achieve both. Hang the pendants at a height where they provide proper illumination for make up, accessing storage and at a safe distance so no one bumps their head.
7. Up the stairs – Glass pendants hung with long cables are visually very appealing in a stairwell. As with the type of glass pendant to choose for this space, it is also important to leave plenty of clearance underneath when hanging them. If you are walking directly underneath the pendants or if there is a possibility of bumping your head on them when climbing up the stairs, remember to leave at least 2.1-2.4m of clearance so your tall family members or guests don’t feel the need to duck when they walk up your stairs. If you have a large staircase and lot of space to fill, then hanging a cluster of glass pendants ranging from eye level to higher creates a serious design statement! We also previously outline in more details about light fittings for stairs here.
In the end, ceiling height, scale of the room and furniture in the space, size of the light fixture, the theme and overall decor of the home and your personal preferences will determine the best type, style and height for hanging your glass pendants. Note: Contact us if interested in any of the light fittings feature above.