skip to main content

Question about hood height relative to pendant heights

10 years ago

We are getting a 48" Zephyr Okeanito hood and three RH Harmon pendants, 11" in diameter each. We have 9' ceilings and plan to have hood go straight up to the ceiling, not covered by any cabinetry. My cabinets go up to the ceiling (with an additional 6" crown molding at the top) I'm pretty sure the island is centered in front of the hood. It goes vertically, meaning, you would see one pendant behind the other and the last the hood.

Both pendants and hood suggest 30"-36" from the counter top. However, if we assume, we can line the pendants up straight in the center, is there a certain height for the pendants and hood that would be most visually appealing (e.g., pendants slightly higher or lower than the hood so as not to block it? Or do I just keep them all level at the bottom. My initial thought was to have the hood bottom at 36" from counter so nobody bumps their head on it. My hood had to be moved forward by ~3" to clear a beam

I was wondering if there was any design "rule"/advice vs. trial and error on my part.

Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

sixkeys
10 years ago
Sorry I can't help, but I'm glad you asked this! Looking forward to hearing from the experts.
localeater
10 years ago
This question piqued my curiousity, I had never thought about it, but then again my island isnt in line with my hood- LOL.
I did a quick look on Houzz, and I think the hood gets placed according to specs, and the pendants get placed within the normal rule according to the use of the island, prep or dining or both, and the comfort of the users.

[Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Jamestown Architects & Designers Ellen McKenna Design
Related Discussions
Pendant lighting question
Q
Comments (1)
Welcome, Bellejack! I'm no expert, but we have a kitchen island that is 6 feet long with a seating area on one side, all the same level because I wanted lots of workspace. Over the island we have 3 low-voltage pendants: one centered and the other two split the difference...in other words, 18 inches apart. Don't know if that's what a lighting designer would spec, but it's what our architect planned in our lighting layout. Sorry, no pics. You will need to think about what height to place those lights, eventually, with the two different levels on the bar. Also, consider whether you have other pendants in the adjacent rooms...too many hanging "things" can be distracting, IMHO.
...See More
REDROZE - Question about your pendant
Q
Comments (5)
Thanks Redroze! The picture you posted above of the two pendants is the EXACT light I wanted to get from Restoration Hardware, but is too big for my island. I love that style. Someone suggested something very similar from Haverhill, but the rod is too long and can't be shorted. O'Lampia has some beautiful lights and I might just have to splurge and get a custom sized one made. I'll look at Turn of the Century Lighting too. So where exactly do you have the John Gage latern style light (second picture you posted)? Is it not above your island? I saw your picture on the thread asking about walls with fridge, range and microwave all on one wall and thought it was above and island. Oh, never mind. I just reread your post and see that you are saying you have two of those John Gage pendants over your island. The picture I saw must have only showed one of the lights. I bet that looks awesome. Can't wait to see the pictures when it's all done. Thanks for your help.
...See More
How low do your island pendants hang? Worried about height...
Q
Comments (25)
Hi again! My island is 51" wide and 62" deep - the granite was actually just installed last night so now you can really see the lighting scenario! I think it would support only ONE of the basket weave pendants posted b/c that is 23" in diameter so I'd hang it really in the center. I think it could support two pendants of a traditional kind if they were between 10 and 20" in diameter, you know? I feel like I'm fighting the industrial pendant trend - and it's not because I don't like how it looks! It's just that everyone puts them in and they all look the same and in three years, something else will be the "everyone" option, you know? Can't decide now if the basketweave up there will bring in the pretty coloring and balance the granite, adding interest up in the air, OR detract. What do you think?
...See More
Height and width of pendant light placement on island with range hood?
Q
Comments (4)
I did a search for "hood over island", here's the result. Through the first 3 pages most didn't have pendants, but there are some and it will give you an idea. I personally would go with cans. :)
...See More
peony4
10 years ago
I am not an expert, but when my hood and pendants were installed, I wanted them only as high as they needed to be so I wouldn't bump my head. I didn't want the underbelly of either one to be visible when walking into the kitchen. I don't care for pendants hung so high that the bulbs can be seen glaring out the bottom while standing across the room. Likewise, I don't care for the vent grates under the hood to be so visible, either.

I was home when my hood as installed, and I literally stood at the stove so they could measure how low it could go and still clear my head. For me, 32 inches above the stove was plenty--within the specs for installation, gives me head clearance, and the underside of the hood isn't as noticeable when I'm standing in the kitchen.

The pendants are about 33 inches, and this works fine for the island space. The range and the island are not centered together, so it doesn't matter that the pendants are slightly higher.

If you want the bottoms to match up, you may need to hang the pendants first because it looks like it has fixed pieces in the arm. However, be careful of the specs and code restrictions of where your hood must hang--there is usually a guideline that must be followed.
GauchoGordo1993
10 years ago
They're unrelated and hood will typically be lower.

Hood should be 26-30" above cooktop and pendants should be as low as they can go without interfering with line of site & conversation for the tallest folks in the house. I'm 6'2" and my eyes are ~6' from the floor, so for me pandants must be >=6' from the floor.
cookncarpenter
10 years ago
I agree they are unrelated, and should be treated as such. My range/hood specs. were 30"-36" above the range, so I went with 36" since it is 27" deep, and I wanted it above my head. My pendant over the sink hangs at 31" above the counter, but because it is back from the counter edge, it's just out of head knocking range.
Hang balloons from a string to get the feel for how high/low you prefer for function and looks.

This post was edited by ctycdm on Wed, Oct 30, 13 at 13:59
CT_Newbie
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you! I appreciate the pics too. Those are helpful ideas/guidelines.

I better try to get DH to stand there when we are installing it.

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES Easy Reference: Standard Heights for 10 Household Details

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

How high are typical counters, tables, shelves, lights and more? Find out at a glance here

BATHROOM DESIGN The Right Height for Your Bathroom Sinks, Mirrors and More

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Upgrading your bathroom? Here’s how to place all your main features for the most comfortable, personalized fit

CEILINGS 13 Ways to Create the Illusion of Room Height

By Affecting Spaces Design Studio

Low ceilings? Here are a baker’s dozen of elements you can alter to give the appearance of a taller space

TASTEMAKERS 3D Printing Takes Furnishings to New Heights at ICFF 2013

By Chris Dorsey Architects, Inc

See how three-dimensional printing, laser cutting and other innovative technologies are changing the face of furnishings

LIGHTING 5 Questions to Ask for the Best Room Lighting

By Karen LeBlanc Design TV Host & Writer/Blogger

Get your overhead, task and accent lighting right for decorative beauty, less eyestrain and a focus exactly where you want

REMODELING GUIDES Planning a Kitchen Remodel? Start With These 5 Questions

By Tiffany Carboni

Before you consider aesthetics, make sure your new kitchen will work for your cooking and entertaining style

WORKING WITH PROS What to Know About Working With a Custom Cabinetmaker

By Laura Gaskill

Learn the benefits of going custom, along with possible projects, cabinetmakers’ pricing structures and more

FEEL-GOOD HOME The Question That Can Make You Love Your Home More

By Laura Gaskill

Change your relationship with your house for the better by focusing on the answer to something designers often ask

KITCHEN DESIGN 9 Questions to Ask When Planning a Kitchen Pantry

By Susan Redman

Avoid blunders and get the storage space and layout you need by asking these questions before you begin

KITCHEN DESIGN A Cook’s 6 Tips for Buying Kitchen Appliances

By Christine Tusher

An avid home chef answers tricky questions about choosing the right oven, stovetop, vent hood and more

Sponsored

More Discussions

Nuage Quartzite - any water issues?

16

Matt tiles - quality issues out of the box

12

I am working on the kitchen of an investment house we are refurbishing

1

Kitchen Undermount Sink

14

What are these above my cabinets?

10