We love a good pendant at houseof; they solve so many interior design problems and who doesn’t love a problem solver? Not only are they statement pieces, but they provide directional lighting suitable for spaces of all sizes. So let’s marvel at the world of modern pendant lights and how they can improve your space…

Let’s kick this blog off with the definition of a pendant which, put simply, is a fixture that hangs from the ceiling by a single, swinging (or sometimes rigid) cord. They are becoming increasingly popular, especially with the rise of open-plan spaces, as they can create different moods for different zones. Whether your room is small, long, open-plan or polygon, the versatility of a pendant is sure to work in your room. So let’s enter a few rooms of a fictional home and discuss how the pendant would work its magic.

Kitchen/ Dining room

A kitchen should be a well-lit area and if you are limited on natural light, open bulb pendant lights are the perfect solution for providing maximum light exposure. We recommend our pendant ceiling light, disk pendant light and our glass dome ceiling lights here. The glass dome is part of our seventies collection and offers a classy take on our diner pendant, with both particularly striking when used in multiple’s.

Closed pendant lights, however, are great for mood lighting; our diner pendant, for example, is perfect over the table or in a cosy living room.

In the kitchen, you will find that pendants work both in singles and multiples and are the perfect light for lighting up tasty food across a breakfast bar or dining table. (We find that odd numbers tend to work best!) After all, you want your eyes to enjoy your food as well as your taste buds.
Top tip: for a dramatic effect, hang the pendant low over the table for a focal point in the room.

See how our wonderful customers style their wide diner pendants and pendant lighting in ones, twos and threes in their kitchen and dining rooms.

[cont.] Kitchen/ Dining room

Pendants can also come fixed in multiples like our brass ribbed glass cluster ceiling light*; which we think is the perfect breakfast bar lighting. The glass shades are suspended on a light grey adjustable cord, making this light suitable for all ceiling heights. If ribbed glass tickles your fancy, you should check out our ribbed glass chandelier*. The ribbed glass chandelier is an example of a fixed pendant fitting - with adjustable arms and an adaptable drop, it is the perfect light to personalise.

*Available to preorder now

Hallways

Often considered only as a walkway to another room, hallways can be neglected and appear unloved; but they can be the first room you enter when you arrive at a house, setting the tone of the home - so hallways need more love than you think.

Typically a long room, hallways are the perfect carrier for a pendant, where you can hang multiples to guide you down the hallway, spreading light across the space and giving the illusion of a larger space. Make sure you play around with the adjustable heights of (most) pendants. Often low hanging lights are great at drawing the eye up - making the ceilings appear higher.

Pendants can also create a statement in a hallway. Consider our glass disk ceiling light in one of our customer’s homes; is it just me or does this spread make you want to hang out in the hallway more? For a space with limited furniture, a light-fitting can be the perfect solution for keeping a place roomy without overcrowding it with dust-loving decor. Our glass disk pendant also captures the light in an interesting way, causing light to cascade across the room in all directions: a classy alternative to a disco ball.

Living room

The nest of the home, the living room is the place to rest your weary head after a long day at work and watch mindless television. It is probably the most relaxing room in the home. The bedroom maybe… but here your eyes are usually open for a lot longer - depending on how mindless the programme is!

Our glass dome ceiling lights formed part of our 70s-inspired lighting earlier in the season and they are perfect for the living room. An adjustable pendant, the glass dome can be styled at variable heights - even as close as a flush fit to the brass oval body.

Bedroom

The bedroom is arguably the most personal room in a home; an important space where your day ends and the new one begins. At the bedside, we want a light that is not too invasive or bright and that directs the light to your bedside table so you can read your book before bed, helping you wind down before you sleep. For more practical tasks, such as putting on makeup, low-hanging pendants are your guy.

You can match your pendant lighting to your personal style - they can be feminine, edgy or elegant. Bedrooms tend to be a feminine space, so an edgy pendant can be the perfect juxtaposition to cut through that.

Bathroom

The bathroom lighting has a bit more technical criteria, it needs to be an IP44-rated light and you’re in luck as houseof offer just that!

Our brass plate pendant ceiling light (pictured) is simple, elegant and sophisticated; a geometric masterpiece! The horizontal brass plate is great for reflecting the light that our opal ball emits, creating an ambient glow perfect for your bathroom, hallways, over a kitchen counter and as bedside lights.

We hope this has helped you to understand the world of modern pendants and all the various forms they come in. To shop the collection click on the link below…