Bringing more light into your kitchen is extremely important. The kitchen is the heart of every home where all family members get together to enjoy meals and communicate. A lot of homeowners choose to have a kitchen island to add more style and elegance to the kitchen. This workspace also adds more convenience and storage to your kitchen. Plus, a kitchen island can act as a dining area.

Choosing the appropriate lighting for your kitchen island can completely transform the design of your kitchen turning it into a warm and welcoming place. Pendants are very often used to illuminate kitchen islands. When adding an island, you should definitely think about the type of pendants you are planning to install.

Pendant lighting is one of major design decisions you have to make while planning your kitchen remodeling. In fact, you can get easily confused by a huge variety of pendant lights available on the market today. Let’s dig deeper to find out what pendants can perfectly suit your space and make your kitchen island the focal point of the room.

Find Your Kitchen Style

No doubt, each room has its own unique style and character. And the kitchen is no exception. You should carefully analyze the style of your kitchen to choose the pendants that will not just reflect that style, but even enhance it.

LAZZUR Alagnon 1 Light 5 in. Matte Black Pendant

If you do not fully understand the style of your kitchen, look at the materials and colors that prevail. It will help you choose the right pendants and complement the design of your kitchen.

Determine the Number of Pendants to Hang Over the Kitchen Island

First and foremost, you should know the size of your kitchen island to realize how many pendants can make a difference. You have probably heard about the rule of three in interior design. This rule says that things arranged in odd numbers look much more interesting and eye-catching than even-numbered objects. So, hanging three pendants over your kitchen island would be definitely a great idea. Pendant lights arranged that way would create a harmonious and balanced look attracting even more attention to the kitchen island.

But even if you prefer to hang two pendants, you can make your kitchen island look fantastic as well. Remember that symmetry can also be interesting and pleasing to the eye.

Choosing the Right Pendant Size

If you are not quite sure what pendant sizes to select to make your kitchen island look fabulous indeed, follow some simple rules that will definitely make your choice much easier. To determine the necessary pendant light width, look at the size of your kitchen island. Two small pendant lights that are 8 inches wide would work effectively for a kitchen island that is 5 feet long. For the island that is about 7 feet long, two pendants that are 16 inches wide would the perfect option. Larger pendants (about 20 inches wide) would look great over a 10 feet long island.

LAZZUR Selune 5 Light 21 in. Matte Oil Rubbed Bronze Pendant

Following the rules is very important to achieve the best possible results. However, you can break the rules in interior design if you really feel that way. If you have a spacious kitchen with high ceilings, you may want to hang a big pendant that will look striking as well.

The Best Height to Hang Pendants Over the Island

A general rule says that pendant light fixtures should hang 30-35 inches from the island. You can put pendants higher if you want, but hanging them lower is not recommended. Pendants should be placed around 72 inches from the floor. When large pendant lights are located too low, they can obstruct the view across the kitchen and attract too much attention.

In fact, hanging pendants too high doesn’t work very well. Positioned very high over the kitchen island, pendant light fixtures may seem detached. In this case, you will not be able to fully enjoy the beauty of the pendants.

Spacing Pendants Over the Kitchen Island

The size of your pendants is not the only thing you should think of. The way you space your pendants is extremely important as well. In order to space the pendants properly, measure the length of your kitchen island first. After that, subtract 12 inches from both sides. Analyze the remaining space to find the center of it. You will be able to space your pendant light fixtures properly if you know their width. A general rule says that the distance between the pendants should be the same as their width. Try to keep all your measurements balanced.

To position three pendants properly, start with putting one pendant in the center of the island. Then, it will be much easier for you to space the remaining two pendants. Hanging two pendants over the kitchen island can be more difficult. You should take the space where the pendants will be placed and divide it by two. Find the center of each half to hang the pendant light fixtures.

Different Types of Pendants to Place Above the Kitchen Island

There are so many different styles of pendant lights that will strike you with their beauty and elegance. Glass globe pendants are a perfect choice to illuminate your kitchen island. These pendants are transparent. They let the light pass through effectively making your kitchen look even brighter and more spacious.

LAZZUR Essonne 3 Light 24 in. Polished Chrome Pendant

If your kitchen has high ceilings, you can choose long and slim pendants to make a beautiful first impression in your kitchen. Instead of hanging multiple pendant lights over the island, you may want to use a bar of lights to give your kitchen a sophisticated look. Installing cluster pendant lights is another great idea. These pendants look unusual and unique adding charm to your kitchen.

If you are looking for something exquisite, think about hanging lantern-style pendants. These light fixtures bring more light into your kitchen making it a warmer and more welcoming place. Dark domes are the ideal choice for those people who want to add more drama and style to their kitchen. Dark pendant lights will perfectly fit a white kitchen and the island with black stools.

The lighting fixtures you hang over the island can have a huge impact on the way your kitchen looks and feels. Make the kitchen the most beautiful room in your home with modern and contemporary pendant lights.

Kitchen Island Lighting: What You Need to Know

Kitchen island pendant lighting ideas – 10 chic styles to illuminate an island