Pendant lights - where to hang for a super stylish look
Pendant lights - where to hang for a super stylish look
Pendant lights are a common feature of the modern home. They have long been
popular as task lights, but are becoming a common trend to replace
chandeliers, as they are more versatile for interior design purposes. One
of the most trendy options is to install mini pendant lights, which create
a conservative yet elegant aesthetic when hung over objects like
countertops, kitchen islands, tables or bathroom sinks, without encumbering
the space.
Pendant lights are extremely effective for working areas. They can create a
bright, focused light pointing downwards, making them ideal for working
surfaces that need to be well lit. This is why they are popular in
bathrooms and kitchens. But they can also be used for purely decorative
purposes, with gorgeous designer pendants that can be a fascinating focal
point of a room. For the creative designer, they can be installed virtually
anywhere (within reason). Here's where they are commonly used to great
stylistic effect:
1. Kitchens
Pendant lighting is most popular in the kitchen, particularly over a
kitchen island for task lighting. They provide excellent illumination of
the working surface, and they make the space look very attractive. They can
also hang over the breakfast bar or dining table for elegant illumination
and decoration.
2. Bathrooms
If you get your bathroom lighting right, it can be very functional but
somewhat boring to look at. A couple of elegant pendant lights hung over
the bathroom sink can still tick the rule boxes but also make the interior
design more attractive. Just ensure the lights are IP rated - IP44 is
usually good enough, but with close proximity to a shower you might want to
go for IP65 or above.
3. Dining rooms
Pendant lights are often hung above the dining table, and can provide great
illumination as well as a chic look for the wider area. You may need to install several light fixtures in a row for longer dining tables, so do a
little research into calculating the right sizes before making a purchase.
Dimmer switches are also a great idea to help set the right mood.
4. Bedrooms
Pendant lights in the bedroom can help conjure a unique, dreamy look. With
pendants hanging over the bed, you can achieve a fresh and stylish design.
Dimmers are advised to ensure you can always achieve the necessary intimate
feel in the room. Alternatively, you can hang a pendant lamp over the
nightstand to eliminate the need for a table lamp, thus freeing up some
space. Mini pendants will look more balanced for this solution.
As previously stated, the creative designer can use pendant lamps virtually
anywhere. A fixture above the living room sofa can look great, as can some
ornate pendant lighting over the home entryway. It just takes a little
creativity and research to get it right, and pendant lighting can be a
powerful feature of modern interior design.