I found many answers to this when looking, but most were less than clear to me. I wish I could remember the source for this, but I copied and pasted and it makes wonderful sense. Lighting Above a Kitchen Island Pendants and mini pendants are commonly used to provide ambient and task lighting over a kitchen island or work surface. Make sure to account for equal space around each pendant. Use this formula to determine how much: Measure the length of the island/table in inches. Example: 60" wide Determine how many pendants you want and the diameter of each. Add them up for a combined diameter. Example: 3 pendants with an 8" diameter. Combined diameter = 24" Subtract the combined diameter from the length of the island. Example: 60" - 24"= 36" Add 1 to the number of pendants. This accounts for the space between each pendant and the ends of the island. Example: Since we started with 3 pendants, we’ll tick this number up to 4. Divide your subtracted value by the number of pendants. Example: 36" ÷ 4 = 9". You’ll want to aim for 9" of space in between each pendant.

Two pendants over a 2’ x 4’ island. 10’ ceilings. What width pendant would anyone suggest?

It depends what they are made of? Glass, Metal or something else? If they are a heavier looking light you definitely should go with something smaller.

I like 3 too. 24 sounds really large. I'd prob do 18. you don't want the entire area above the island overtaken w/that umbrella-like fixture! 30-32" apart, and at least 12" from the edge. I'd say 18 is good or, you could do two of the 24"