Kitchen Island Pendant Lights

Choosing kitchen island pendant lights

Pendants over an island are a spacing problem before they are a style one. Set centres 24 to 30 inches apart and keep the outermost pendants about 12 inches in from each end of the island. A 72-inch island takes three at 24-inch spacing; a 48-inch island takes two.

Hang the bottom of the shade 30 to 36 inches above the countertop. That is low enough to pool light on the work surface and high enough to see the person opposite you across the island.

Shade shape matters more in a kitchen than anywhere else. An opaque metal shade throws light straight down onto the worktop, which is what prep needs; open glass spreads it around the room and is better over a breakfast counter than a chopping station.

Kitchen Island Pendant Lights — common questions