skip to main content

Need track/pendant lighting over huge island, suggestions? PICS

15 years ago

I have a flat kitchen island that measures 4 feet by 9 feet. The sink is in the island. We use the countertop on either side of the sink for food prep. The other side of the island is a breakfast bar with 3 barstools, where we eat breakfast and dinner.

I have shopped exhaustively for a light fixture to go over this island and have not found one that I love. They are either too small or not bright enough or the wrong style for my house. I keep coming back to the idea of track lighting with multiple pendants shining light on the breakfast bar side of the island and the sink/workspace side of the island. I want alot of light here - the intensity and quality of task lighting, really. We would like to put a dimmer on the light so that we can turn it up when prepping food or reading a magazine on the counter and turn it down when we don't need as much light.

I've seen examples of track pendants that have a curved rail on the ceiling and some with straight tracks/rails. Most of them are more contemporary in appearance than I need.

Does anyone have any suggestions of lights to consider or photos that could provide inspiration?

For your reference, I have included photos of my kitchen. You will notice some track pendants above the island - they are a disaster. They are from Pottery Barn and broke as they were being installed and don't give off enough light. That is the fixture I'm trying to replace.

My kitchen table light fixture:

Thank you!

Try_Hard

Comments (7)

cathrugg
15 years ago
Hi Try_Hard,

Here is a picture of our island track lighting. We had an awful time trying to find a light due to the light not being centered either the long way or the width way. Our kitchen is not modern at all but the track lighting fits in, in my opinion.

Our kitchen makeover was in progress in these pics.

Hope this helps.
Cathrugg
susiebrown
15 years ago
Try Hard,
Can't answer your question, but was wondering what wall color and type floors you have in this area, particularly the dining area. I think they are both just what I'm looking for! Thanks!!
Related Discussions
need help choosing pendants over island -please show me your pics
Q
Comments (4)
Suggest you go to a lighting store. Two national chains are Lamps Plus, and Lights Fantastic. You may have local lighting companies. On an 8' island, I would suggest three pendants. In decorating circles, odd numbers are preferable.
...See More
Pendant Lighting over Island....again, another 40" x 99"
Q
Comments (12)
Ok - going with 2 fixtures at 16” apiece - if I space them 24” apart that’s 20” from center of island each (24/2)+(16/2) correct - leaving 21.5” between the edge of the island and the edge of the fixture? Sound right? Should I just divide it in 3rd’s and move them slightly closer together? Or closer to the edge for better lighting coverage? Am I splitting hairs?
...See More
Height of pendant lights over an island?
Q
Comments (21)
Flo - I wish it was just the light itself...we renovated our kitchen. It was connected to 2 family rooms. Almost fully open to a small family room on one side, and a small doorway (32” opening) on the other side. We are a family of 5 and no one ever used the larger family room bc of that small opening. It seemed cut off from the rest of the house. We opened up that side, added a breakfast part and stools so it’s now a useable part of the house. We hired a kitchen designer. That was our mistake. He did a great job with the kitchen...but we needed someone to look at the big picture. I started to realize this after it was too late. Everything was going in. I kept thinking I’ll find a way to pull it together when the kitchen’s done and yesterday when I put the 2nd light up I realized how hard it will be ... I am in way over my head. It’s a very long open space. Open floor plan gone badly. I’m beside myself. I need to now just focus on finishing the last few details in the kitchen and bring in some different interior decorators, designers ... I’m not sure what - to figure out how to fix this.
...See More
what type of pendant lights would you put over my island
Q
Comments (5)
i just had the same problem, with similar pendants as yours. If you look at my profile, I think you can see what we went with as well as others suggestions. I would say go larger and hang them higher than then your sightline. That made a huge difference for us.
...See More
egrigby
15 years ago
We did not intend to go really modern, but we went with a Hubbardton Forge fixture. The problem is, that collectively we hated every pendant out there. I would think one was "ok" and the husband would hate it, and vice versa.

We both really liked this one, it went well with our home, and in the end, though it seems modern, it goes with our style.

We chose:
{{!gwi}}

You can find pics of our kitchen and our giant island (Over 50 square feet of granite in the island alone) here..http://mobilecad.smugmug.com/gallery/4396388_PN5KC#P-1-15

Hubbardton Forge does have lots of other options that are not modern as they do all hand forged steel and iron items.

Laney

Here is a link that might be useful: Hubbardton Forge
bwibby
15 years ago
Have you looked at the pendant lighting from Alluminare? They have a large selection of shapes and sizes and you get to design the color/pattern/fabric yourself.

Beautiful kitchen, by the way!

Here is a link that might be useful: Alluminare
disenay
14 years ago
Try hard, where did you purchase the chandelier over your kitchen table. I love it.
dallasbill
14 years ago
We used hanging pendants made by Roost. They only sell to wholesalers who then retail them. We bought ours locally, via our builder, from a design center so got a deal.

Don't know hwat you can find in your area, but I have provided an online link below. We also used the Edison-reproduction, multi-filament bulbs they show in the pic. They are about 11 bucks each w/ shipping, but look waaaaaaay cool, esp. when dimmed, and provide all the light you need when at full power. If you go that way, order some spares. We have not had a burnout in 4 years, but we do not use them daily.

Also, we did not want a track sitting across our ceiling to steal the eye away from the task lighting hanging below.

Close-up of pendant:
http://www.velocityartanddesign.com/details.php?classid=2575&productid=20072&defval=images_products/20072-Cylinder_det.jpg&title=

Edison bulb:
http://www.antiquelampsupply.com/product/3690

This isn't the greatest pic, but will give you and idea what they look like on our large island. There is seating for 3 on the right side of the L.

Here is a link that might be useful: Roost retailer link
cakewalker
14 years ago
Try_hard: I have almost the exact same setting as you do. Same chairs, large island (12 X 3) and the exact same chandelier - My main dining area is open to the great room just like yours and I am trying to find the 'right' pendant. Can you show me/tell me what you decided on? My general contractor is bugging me to pick something out so the electrician can hang it!

I'd appreciate any info...

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

PENDANT LIGHTING Choose the Right Pendant Lights for Your Kitchen Island

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Get your island lighting scheme on track with tips on function, style, height and more

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Islands: Pendant Lights Done Right

How many, how big, and how high? Tips for choosing kitchen pendant lights

KITCHEN DESIGN Pick the Right Pendant for Your Kitchen Island

By Samantha Schoech

Don't settle for bland builder-grade pendant lights when you can have your pick of colors and kinds to match your kitchen's style

LIGHTING Source List: 20 Pendants That Illuminate the Kitchen Island

By Annie Thornton

See the ceiling lighting fixtures that are popular on Houzz and find out where to get them

LIGHTING Personal Spaces: Homeowners Work Their Pendant Lights

By Laura Gaskill

See how all kinds of rooms are getting a lift from hanging lights, both budget-friendly and glam

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Taking Over a Hallway to Add Needed Space

By Becky Harris

A renovated kitchen’s functional new design is light, bright and full of industrial elements the homeowners love

REMODELING GUIDES How to Get Your Pendant Light Right

By Janell Beals - House of Fifty

Find out where to place a hanging light and how high it should be

LIGHTING Your Guide to Common Light Fixtures and How to Use Them

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Get to know pot lights, track lights, pendants and more to help you create an organized, layered lighting plan

REMODELING GUIDES From the Pros: 8 Reasons Kitchen Renovations Go Over Budget

By Erin Carlyle

We asked kitchen designers to tell us the most common budget-busters they see

DIY PROJECTS 10 Home Projects to Work On Over Your Holiday Weekend

By Laura Gaskill

Make the most of your time windfall by accomplishing one of your back-burner tasks

Sponsored

More Discussions

Help with light over kitchen table!

14

Help replacing lighting/fan in MCM living/dining with vaulted ceiling

6

Exhaust fan with light recommendation

4

Need advice with 2-Story Light Fixtures - chain or downrods?

4

Delta Champagne Bronze Faucet and Kitchen Lighting

2