Pick the Right Pendant for Your Kitchen Island
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
It seems as if every kitchen remodel in every corner of the globe now includes an island or peninsula. And over most of those islands and peninsulas hang three little droplet lights.
Builder-grade pendant lights have become as predictable as maple and granite. And it's a shame. Because the lights that hang over your kitchen peninsula are a great opportunity to amp things up a bit and bring a whole lot of style into the mix. Think of them as your kitchen's jewelry — a little bling to liven up the outfit.
Here are 19 pendant lights of different styles. Some are more subdued, some are major scene stealers, but none of them are same old, same old.
Builder-grade pendant lights have become as predictable as maple and granite. And it's a shame. Because the lights that hang over your kitchen peninsula are a great opportunity to amp things up a bit and bring a whole lot of style into the mix. Think of them as your kitchen's jewelry — a little bling to liven up the outfit.
Here are 19 pendant lights of different styles. Some are more subdued, some are major scene stealers, but none of them are same old, same old.
Globe pendants are extremely popular right now (as they were in the ‘70s) and might be passed over on first consideration because of their size. But have no worries — you can see through them! Even in a smaller kitchen they don’t overwhelm.
A cluster of hand-blown bulb-shape pendants makes a modern statement with big impact.
Industrial Pendant Lights
These wide copper pendants are sculptural (inspired by Indian baskets) but have a rough-hewn industrial quality about them. Modern but muscular.
Find more industrial pendant light options
These wide copper pendants are sculptural (inspired by Indian baskets) but have a rough-hewn industrial quality about them. Modern but muscular.
Find more industrial pendant light options
Lights, camera, action. These classic stainless lamps remind me of lighting used in film production. They have a crisp, clean look (as long as you keep them polished) and look like they were made for real cooks.
The black version of the film production lamps. Even more industrial and serious looking.
Don't let their good looks fool you; these adjustable weighted pulley lamps are also hard workers.
Colorful Pendant Lights
There are a lot of horrible colored pendant lamps out there; you see many of them hanging in the lighting aisles of big-box stores. But there is a better way to get some color. These four bowl-shaped lamps in four different shades add little dollops of design pizzazz. Hanging them at different heights makes them stand out even more.
There are a lot of horrible colored pendant lamps out there; you see many of them hanging in the lighting aisles of big-box stores. But there is a better way to get some color. These four bowl-shaped lamps in four different shades add little dollops of design pizzazz. Hanging them at different heights makes them stand out even more.
These blue Moroccan lamps add an unexpected dash of the exotic to this very traditional kitchen.
Period-perfect '50s-inspired lamps for a vintage-inspired kitchen.
Oversize Pendant Lights
Like color, size scares a lot of people. But there is no reason overhead pendant lamps have to be teeny tiny (except maybe very low ceilings). Going oversize makes a huge impact and can really liven up an otherwise plain room.
Like color, size scares a lot of people. But there is no reason overhead pendant lamps have to be teeny tiny (except maybe very low ceilings). Going oversize makes a huge impact and can really liven up an otherwise plain room.
Oversize cube lights mimic the lines in the rest of the kitchen.
These big silver domes most often hang in the middle of a room, but I love them as over-the-island accent lamps.
This line of giant black dome lights is the main decoration in this minimalist kitchen.
Browse thousands more pendant light options for your kitchen
Browse thousands more pendant light options for your kitchen
Chandeliers
I just love chandeliers in kitchens. They are so pretty and unexpected, and they can really soften up all those hard lines and smooth surfaces. This modern version keeps the clean lines of the room but adds sparkle and a touch of the feminine.
I just love chandeliers in kitchens. They are so pretty and unexpected, and they can really soften up all those hard lines and smooth surfaces. This modern version keeps the clean lines of the room but adds sparkle and a touch of the feminine.
A big, dramatic black chandelier over a big, dramatic black island. They were made for each other.
Two largish chandeliers take the place of the usual plain hanging pendant lights and give this kitchen lots of glamour. Together with the hood, they have a distinct French look.
Chandeliers can be modern, too. In fact, I think they look best in an eclectic room where frilly and fancy are less expected.
More guides to pendant lights
More guides to pendant lights
Clear glass qualifies for the subdued end of things, but it can also be incredibly sparkly and elegant and sculptural. It's best when it is hand blown and a little wabi-sabi — air bubbles and all.