0
Your cart is currently empty!
ChatI thought a kitchen island just needed any light. But I was wrong. It took me some time to figure out why. Don’t get me wrong. Regular lights do work. They light up the counter and whatever else needs illumination. However, they make everything look flat. And they usually cause shadows and no warmth. Pendant lights over island do something that run-of-the-mill lights cannot do. They give the room a focal point. When you walk into the room, your eyes go to the lights right away.
When you replace your kitchen island lights with well-placed pendant lights, your kitchen will feel complete. Essentially, your island will not feel like its still “under construction”. Instead, it will feel finished. This is one of those changes that seem small but make a big difference. This upgrade is especially worth it when your budget is tight, and you cannot complete your planned renovations all at once.
Getting the Size of Pendant Lights Right
The size of pendant lights over island matters more than you know. If the pendant light is too small it looks like it was added as an afterthought. If it is too big, it will dominate the room.
If you have a standard 10-foot ceiling, a light like the Brentwood that is around 14 inches in size works well. It is big enough to make an impact. But not so big that it crowds the room. This size has been a reliable choice across most of the kitchen islands we’ve worked on.
Clearance of Pendant Lights Over Island
Most people don’t think of height clearance until something goes wrong. When you are putting up Pendant lights over island, a good starting point is 30 to 36 inches above the counter. But this is not a one-size-fits-all approach, as taller ceilings often call for higher hanging height to keep the proportions right. Some homeowners hang the lights a bit lower to create a more intimate feel over the island. Others hang them higher to get enough headroom clearance in a busy kitchen.
And please, do not forget “sightlines”. If your island is positioned so that it looks toward the living room or a dining area, you want the bottom of the light to be low enough and connected to the floor. But also high enough that people are not looking past an intrusive pendant to see beyond.
While this might sound like a lot to consider, it does makes a big difference.
Why Dome-Shaped Pendant Lights Are Popular
People often get stuck when deciding fixture shapes. And this is where dome-shaped pendant lights come to the rescue. They are a good classic and work with almost any style.
Take the Melrose light, for example. It is 18 inches size-wise and features a simple bowl shape. Plus, it does not look like a light following the trend. I have observed this particular shape used in many kitchens and restaurants and it always looks good.
Rustic Kitchens Need a Different Approach
For rustic style kitchens, you might want to consider a different type of pendant light over the island. Take something like the Carson pendant light outfitted with a 16-inch dome. It is built from solid steel, and it does not try too hard to fit into one style or another.
This is what makes it oh-so appealing as it bridges the gap between modern styles. Most kitchens boast a mix of finishes, and a pendant light that can work with all of them is a welcome addition.
When You Have a Lot of Height to Work With
If you have a high ceiling or an open-concept great room, you can use a larger pendant light. The Westwood pendant light comes to mind in this case. Sized at 24 inches, it might sound massive, but it works well in a tall or high-ceilinged room.
You can use it over your kitchen islands, and it will meet all your lighting requirements. Ultimately, big rooms beget big gestures, and a small pendant light can get lost in this setting.
Commercial Islands Play By Different Rules
We’ve talked a bit about home-based kitchen islands, but do the same rules apply to commercial islands? The answer is, commercial spaces dance to a different tune. Warehouses, restaurants with exposed beams and other large structures need lights that are built to scale.
And talking of scale, the Manhattan pendant light is a light worth considering. At 20 inches, it has a polished industrial look and works well in kitchens with high ceilings.
Do Not Forget That Pendant Lights Are Task Lights
Pendant lights over island are not all about the looks or feel. They also work as task lights. It will help you see what you are doing when you are chopping vegetables or reading a recipe.
Your island light should be bright enough for everyday tasks. But not so bright that it feels like an operating room. Do not take the bulb type lightly as well. Prioritize warm white bulbs (in the 2700K to 3000K range ) for your kitchen island.
A Small Trick for Big Islands
For kitchen islands, using two or three lights in a row can be a good idea. This approach usually looks more intentional than using one centered fixture. Repeating the pendant lights can create a rhythm that looks good in the kitchen. I have seen people mix pendant light styles on a single kitchen island. However, kitchen islands usually look better when they don’t feature mixed styles.
The Bottom Line
Adding lights over an island is one of the most affordable and fastest upgrades you can make to a kitchen. And whoever walks through your kitchen will NOTICE! Plus, it doesn’t cost a fortune nor demand much effort. It is something you can do over one weekend and reap the benefits for a lifetime.
So if your island still has the builder-grade fixture that came with the house, it is probably time to upgrade.
