How low should a pendant hang over a table?
Hang a pendant too high and it lights the ceiling instead of the table. Hang it too low and you end up talking to a lampshade. Luckily there is a simple rule of thumb.
The rule: 28 to 34 inches
Measure from the tabletop to the bottom of the shade. Between 28 and 34 inches (about 70 to 85 cm) the light falls on the table, faces stay lit and everyone can still see each other across it.
Adjust for your room
- Higher ceilings: add about 3 inches for every foot of ceiling height above 8 feet, so the pendant does not look lost.
- Large or wide shades: hang them toward the top of the range so they do not block the view.
- Kitchen islands: 30 to 36 inches above the counter leaves room for work and keeps the light out of your eyes when standing.
How wide should it be?
A good starting point is a shade about half to two thirds the width of the table. On a long table, use two or three smaller pendants evenly spaced, roughly 24 to 30 inches apart, instead of one large one.
Centre it on the table, not the room
If your table is not centred under the ceiling outlet, a swag hook lets you move the pendant over the table without rewiring.
Find the right fit in our pendant lights and kitchen island lighting.
