Designer pendant lights: how to choose yours
A pendant light shapes a room as much as it lights it. Above a table, it creates a gathering point; in a living room or hallway, it sets the tone for the whole interior. Three criteria guide the choice: size, material and light.
What size and at what height?
Above a table, allow a diameter of half to two thirds of the tabletop's width, and hang the pendant 65–75 cm above the table. For a long table, line up two or three pendants spaced 60 to 80 cm apart. In a living room, a simple rule: add the length and width of the room in metres and multiply by 10 to get the ideal diameter in centimetres. In a walkway, keep at least 2 m of clearance below the shade.
Rattan, bamboo, ceramic or glass?
Hand-woven natural fibres, the signature of AY Illuminate, give a warm glow and cast graphic shadows on the ceiling. Ceramic and stoneware from Serax bring a sculptural presence. Glass and metal from Broste Copenhagen play on transparency and Nordic elegance. House Doctor blends raw materials with clean lines, while Noctra reinvents the pendant in recycled cardboard.
Which bulb?
Opt for a warm white LED bulb (2 700 K) for a welcoming atmosphere, and check the fitting (usually E27) and the maximum wattage shown on each product page. With a dimmer, you can adjust the brightness from dinner through to the evening.
Your questions
How high should a pendant light hang above a table?
Between 65 and 75 cm from the bottom of the shade to the tabletop: low enough to light the table, high enough not to block the view.
How many pendant lights for a six-seater table?
One large pendant of 50 to 60 cm in diameter, or two smaller ones in a row.
Are natural-fibre pendant lights easy to look after?
Regular dusting with a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner on low power is all they need.
To complete your lighting, explore our table lamps and lampshades.
