Two of the most popular questions I get on social media are “I’m trying to figure out how many pendants to use, How big is your kitchen island?” and “Where are your kitchen island pendants from?” So I figured it’s time for a post on tips about kitchen pendants and lighting. I’ve included sources for some of my favorite pendants and barstools as well.
1. First, Determine How Many Pendants Are In Your Space
When we were building our home I had to decide early on how many pendants I wanted and how far apart I wanted them. That’s not an easy task when you haven’t picked your lighting. If you have decided on your pendants you’re already ahead of the game compared to me ;). We were installing shiplap (you can read a post on that HERE.) so I had to know where we wanted the wiring.
New Build Tips
*Tip** If you are building a home and aren’t sure What to tell your electrician, have him wire for them and leave the wiring in the ceiling. That way you can have the wires pulled when you are ready to install your lighting.
2. Marking Your Island Pendant Spacing – My Island Dimensions and Pendant Spacing
I decided the best way for me to figure it out, was to mark out where my island would be according to my cabinet plan. My island is just under 7′, 83″ to be precise… I lean towards oversized pendants so I planned on using 2 pendants. We ended up spacing them about 30″ apart from the center of each lightbox.
My Favorite Island Pendant: Savoy House Penrose Pendant
I was happy with the spacing but ended up not loving the original pendants I chose. I switched them out for Savoy House Penrose pendants (you can find them HERE) they are a little more substantial than my first choice and I’m quite happy with them.
Why I Love the Savoy House Penrose Pendant
- Sleek Modern Design: The Penrose 3-light foyer light has this sleek, cylindrical shape that just screams modern elegance. I love how its clean lines and contemporary look fit perfectly in any stylish home.
- Clear Glass and Polished Nickel Finish: The combo of clear glass and polished nickel is just stunning. The polished nickel finish is timeless in my opinion!
- Customizable Bulb Options: One of my favorite things is the ability to use different bulbs. Try Edison or tubular bulbs to give it a unique twist. It’s a simple way to change up the look without much effort.
- Timeless Appeal: This isn’t just a trendy piece. Savoy House fixtures are built to last, so you’re getting a high-quality light that will stand the test of time.
- Transitional and Classic Style Compatibility: Whether your home is more transitional or classic, the Penrose fits right in. It adds a big touch of lighting allure to any room and enhances the overall style.
- Enhances Room’s Ambiance: The clear glass lets plenty of light shine through, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere. It’s perfect for greeting guests in the foyer or lighting up meal prep in the kitchen.
- Easy to Pair with Other Fixtures: The polished nickel finish and clear glass design make it super easy to pair with other fixtures and hardware, allowing for a cohesive look throughout your home.
- Quality: As an interior designer, I only like to use fixtures that combine form and function effectively. Any piece I use must be durable. This Savoy House Penrose Pendant has done just all these things. It checks my quality control list’s boxes!
This light is one of my go-tos for a reason. It’s stylish, versatile, and adds a perfect touch of elegance to any space.
Here are some additional options that are similar to the Savoy House Penrose Pendants I used.
The Island Pendant Spacing Formula: How I Space Kitchen Island Pendants
According to Lightsonline.com You should “Space a pendant every 2 feet or so above a kitchen island and pick the right size of pendant to suit your island length. Small islands (4 to 5 feet long) can handle 1 large or 2 medium pendants. Large islands can handle 2 large or 3 medium pendants.” that’s pretty much what we ended up doing with ours. It’s all about the scale of your fixture, so figure out if you like them oversized, or smaller. They had some other great tips on that site as well.
3. Find The Perfect Island Pendant Style For Your Kitchen
I’ve included a few of my favorite kitchens for inspiration. Like this one from Old Seagrove Homes It’s one of my all-time favorite kitchens!
You can find these pendants HERE or below.
I love the look of Lanterns, you can find similar options to these below.
These Hicks Pendants are popular right now. You can find them HERE or below!
Similar lighting to the ones pictured below can be found below.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Pendants
1. Functionality and Placement
Consider how you use your kitchen space. If it’s primarily a cooking and dining area, you’ll want focused task lighting above the island or countertop. For kitchens used for socializing, ambient lighting that complements the room’s decor might be more suitable.
2. Size and Scale
The size of your kitchen island or counter should dictate the size and number of pendants. As a rule of thumb, smaller islands (around 4 to 5 feet) can typically accommodate one large pendant or two medium-sized ones. Larger islands can handle two to three larger pendants comfortably, ensuring adequate lighting spread across the surface.
3. Style and Design
Pendants come in various styles, from sleek industrial designs to intricate lanterns. Choose a style that complements your kitchen’s overall theme and color palette.
More of my favorite island lighting options can be found below.
I’ve also included some of my favorite barstools below
With these tips and recommendations, you’re equipped to make knowledgeable decisions about your kitchen pendant lighting. Whether you’re in the midst of a new build or simply updating your current space, thoughtful consideration of pendant placement and style will elevate your kitchen’s functionality and design aesthetic so much!
I hope you are feeling a little more confident to make decisions on your lighting placement now. Feel free to email me if you have any questions!
Xx,
Jen
Zeenie says
Love your pendants! Are they satin nickel or polished nickel?
[email protected] says
Thank you, 🙂 they are polished nickel.
Zeenie says
One more question if you don’t mind. If I want those pendants and all my appliances and faucet are stainless steel, do I go with satin or polished nickel? Thanks!
[email protected] says
Sorry I didn’t get back to you right away. I have a mix in my kitchen, my knobs and pulls are brushed nickel and my faucets are polished nickel. I like the polished nickel for my kitchen. It is ok to mix if you like the polished nickel better. If you think it will bother you to have mixed finishes you might want to stick with the brushed. I don’t know if that helped at all 😉
Catherine says
I love your kitchen! My kitchen has a very similar feel, except that my white cabinets have oil rubbed bronze hardware (and dark floors). I have been unable to make a decision on my pendants. Do you think dark pendants would be too contrasting with the white cabinets, or should I stick with polished nickel ?
[email protected] says
Hi Catherine, I apologize that I didn’t get right back to you. I don’t think it’s too contrasting to have dark pendants at all this one from my post is the same concept https://www.stylehouseinteriors.com/blog/ or here’s another example https://www.hgsphere.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/White-Kitchen-With-Dark-Wood-Floor-9.jpg I hope that helps you make your decision!
Monica says
I have 4 kiddos (all under 10). Any barstool recommendations for easy clean? Love your blog!
Amy says
Hi Jen, I am doing two Penrose pendants above my kitchen island. Direct.y in front of the island, I will have a farmhouse table and will center the light fixture with the pendants. Do you have any suggestions for a light fixture that would coordinate well with the Penrose Pendants in satin nickel? Thanks for your help.
Linda says
My countertop/penensula is 6 ft long. Can I use 2 12 in glass globes and how far apart should I place them.
Siva says
I would like to ask one question. You have said placing between pendants. Can you also tell us exactly the pendants placed with the island position. Like exactly center or close to where we sit or close to other side?
[email protected] says
I think you are asking where to place the pendants in relation front to back of the island? If so they should be centered, there may be a few circumstances where it might different, such as if the bar is raised and you are using mini pendants, in that case I would put them in the center of the raised part of the bar.
Yvette Christensen says
You said space “2 feet apart or so”. It definetly looks like all of the 2 pendants are spaced much further. I have a 75×45 island and I want to hang 2 of the torpedoed looking chandeliers. How far apart should they hang?
Yvette Christensen says
You said space “2 feet apart or so”. It definetly looks like all of the 2 pendants pics are spaced much further. I have a 75×45 island and I want to hang 2 of the torpedoed looking chandeliers. How far apart should they hang?
Debbie says
How tall are your ceilings? Would this pendant be too tall for an 8″6″ ceiling?
Jon says
We have a 7 foot island and are looking at 10 inch diameter pendants. How many would you suggest and what spacing?
kristi grotheer says
Hi, Jen. We’re having a new house built and will have a small (38″x62″) island in the kitchen. I’ve found some lights that I think would be beautiful in our kitchen with rustic birch stained cabs. and soapstone countertops. But, I’d like some assurance that they won’t be too large. I have in mind to use two of them. They’re clear glass and 14 1/4″ in diameter. Any advice?
https://www.lampsplus.com/products/largo-14-and-one-quarter-inchw-oil-rubbed-bronze-3-light-pendant-light__24r75.html
Amy says
What diameter/width pendants did you use? It looks like the Penrose comes in 12″, 16″ and 20″.
georgia routsis savas says
hello:
can you please tell me if pendant lights should be centered over the base cabinetry or over the full width of the countertop. my island will be 42″ x 94″, with a 10″ overhang on one side to accommodate stools.
thank you,
omenseeker
Jennifer Katz says
When you refer to small, medium and large size pendants, how would you translate into size in inches in diameter? I have 10.5 inch in diameter pendants and a 7 foot island with a 1 foot overhang so trying to decide if 3 pendants would be too crowded. Our cielings are 8 feet high. Here’s a link to the pendant. https://www.wayfair.com/lighting/pdp/birch-lane-sutton-1-light-schoolhouse-pendant-bl3638.html
Denise Lupenski says
Good morning,
I am in the middle of a kitchen remodel. Our new island is 11 feet long and 4 feet wide, and will be 38 inches tall when finished. It will have a farm sink on one side in the middle. My ceilings are 8 1/2 feet tall. I have purchased 2 Medium Goodman pendants, but am debating if I should switch them for 2 Medium Darlana pendants. Any advice you can offer will be greatly appreciated!! Will you please offer advice for spacing and height, as well?
Thank you!
Denise
Julie says
Hello, your kitchen looks beautiful.
I’m hoping you can help me with a design question. We are going to install two islands one 50” long by 36” wide and the other 72” long by 36” wide. They will run as one Long Island with a 40” walk way between the two, we chose this design as our kitchen is long but narrow, so this will give us the ability to move freely around. The 36” range. I’m stumped on what to do for lighting, I want to do school house pendants that are polished nickel and glass. I don’t know how many to do. Should I put one over the shorter island and 2 over the longer? Or will this look odd because of the space between the islands?
Thank you
Donna says
I have an island that is 8 1/2 feet long. However the room itself is not a whole lot larger. We pretty much took up all the floor space with the island. We already have a recessed light right in the middle of the island. The pendants will be for aesthetics only and some ambient lighting. I have already bought two 12” pendants but everything I read says I need three. Do you believe I should buy one more when I don’t need the lighting or do you think with the recessed light right in the center, two will look fine? Also, since the recessed light is right in the center, what distance should I hang each light from the recessed if I stick with two?
Colleen says
Hi. We have a 7 foot island. It is 4-5 inches wide. What size pendants should I get? We like the orb pendants and the lantern pendants thank you.
Susie Shaffer says
Hello, the link to the lights you used does not work. Can you please send a link, or model number, to the lights displayed in your kitchen?
Debbie says
I have an island that is 90 inches long and 55 inches wide. I purchased three pendants that are 11×11 but are 20 inches long. In your opinion, do you think 3 are too many?