How to best incorporate pendant lighting when renovating your home.

Lighting is an integral component to consider when renovating. Ensuring that each room has adequate light to perform necessary tasks is essential. Though, lighting an area should not be limited to one single source, but layered to create multiple levels of illumination to suit different settings. For instance, the light required to prepare a meal will be brighter than the light desired later in the evening when relaxing on the couch. This effect can be accomplished by combining a variety of different types of lighting. Generally, these “layers” are made up of three types of lighting: ambient, accent, and task lighting.

Ambient lighting provides overall lighting to a room commonly in the form of downlights and ceiling lights.

Accent lighting is a soft light and creates a point of interest or feature to a particular area. Shadow cornice lighting, vanity under cabinet lighting, kick board lighting, niche lighting, and sconces are all forms of accent lighting. Additionally, pendants installed decoratively in a space are also considered forms of accent lighting.

Task lighting provides illumination to a particular area such as a work surface or bathroom mirror to complete certain tasks. Examples of task lighting are kitchen under-cabinet lighting and pendant lighting over a kitchen island help to illuminate the bench area whilst cooking at night. LED front lit mirrors provide task lighting that assists with makeup application and shaving.

The most common lighting we install for our customers are downlights, under-cabinet lighting, and pendant lights. Of these, pendant lights raise the most questions. This is quite simply due to the wide array of options there are when purchasing and subsequently installing pendant lights. The type, size, material, and colour varieties are seemingly endless and in addition, where exactly they should be installed, at which height and in what combination are questions that are also thrown into the mix. So here we aim to answer some of these questions to help guide you when considering pendant lights.

Pendant lighting is a fantastic way to add style and your own personality to your home. They work in almost any room, with the kitchen, dining, bathroom, bedroom and entryway being the most popular areas they are installed. Fabulous and functional, they create a focal point while providing the perfect illumination wherever they are hung.

Choosing your pendant:

The style of pendant chosen largely comes down to the individual taste of the homeowner and the interior design of the home. The size of pendant or pendant arrangement, however, will largely be dictated by the size and volume of space it is to be set in, and the height of the ceiling.

Some things to consider are:

Is the light projected from the pendant open or is it targeted? Open pendants project light upward, outward, and downward evenly. Whereas those with a targeted aspect project a more intense light downward with a spotlight type effect. The intensity of light may be controlled by the bulb wattage, or if it is set on a dimmer, though the overall projection of light should be considered when purchasing your pendants.

Remember that pendants are meant to make a statement. Like that of a fine piece of artwork, pendants are like the “cherry on top” of a rooms design. So if you have the luxury of space, choose a large pendant or pendant arrangement. Though, if the ceiling is low or if your space is limited, choose pendants that are of a smaller size or of more a delicate design.

When purchasing pendants, be sure to consider the cord to pendant ratio. As a guide, one third pendant to two thirds cord works best as it creates a balanced look. A long length of cord with a single tiny pendant dangling on its end will look odd, so too will a large pendant hung with very little cord.

Kitchen:

Pendants are commonly installed over the kitchen island or peninsula island as a task light, though can also be set on a dimmer to double as an accent light. Pendant lights installed above an island are not just functional but become quite a feature in the kitchen. The height at which they should be hung is dependant on a number of factors, though as a general guide it is suggested they be hung 80-90cm above the kitchen bench. Keep in mind to hang them at a height that will not impede views or line of vision, and not so high that they become lost in the ceiling space.

Bathroom:

Hanging pendant lights in the bathroom can truly create an exquisite finishing touch to your bathroom design.

The two most common areas to hang pendants in the bathroom are in the corner adjacent to the bath, or either side of the vanity. As a general rule of thumb, if a pendant is to be hung in the bathroom it should be low voltage (12 Volts AC), IPX4 rated, or double insulated. There are strict rules and regulations that are to be followed regarding lighting in the bathroom. Be sure to speak with your renovator or electrician prior to purchasing, and mention where you intend to have them hung when in the lighting shop so they can guide you and supply you with an appropriate fitting.

Dining:

Above the dining table is the ideal place for a pendant light as it has the potential to complete the dining room design. Serving as the lighting to set the mood for dinner, it is advisable to use a warm bulb with either a dimmer or a lower voltage so as to create a soft light while dining. As a general guide it is recommended to hang pendants 70-90cm above the dining table.

Entry:

Nothing makes a statement quite like a large ornate pendant or pendant arrangement hung high in the entryway. The height of course largely depends on the height of the ceiling in the entryway and the size of the pendant. Be sure to hang the pendant high enough that it is comfortable for people with a tall stature to walk beneath. As a general rule, pendants should be hung 2.1 to 2.4m above a walkway or 20-30cm from a standard 2.4m ceiling height.

Bedroom:

A recently popular installation for pendants is in the bedroom above the side tables to replace traditional bedside lamps. This creates not only a fabulous feature, but also allows for more space on the bedside tables.