Are you looking to brighten up a room in your home?
Sure, you could go to the effort of painting the walls. Or you could fork out the money and completely redecorate. But if you're after a simple, budget-friendly fix that will change the focus of the room in an instant, we've got a better idea - install a pendant light.
But what is a pendant light? How do you select one that works with the room?
Our lighting experts have put together this pendant light guide to answer all these questions and more. We'll walk you through the different types of pendant lights, how to choose one, and where to place it. Our design team have also shared their best pendant lights to give you some inspiration.
Table Of Contents:
Pendant Lighting Buyers Guide
Our Top 10 Pendants For 2024
Pendant Lighting Buyers Guide:
What Is a Pendant Light?
The name 'pendant light' borrows its name from the pendant on a necklace, which is suspended on its own. However, a pendant light is a type of light fixture. Typically, pendant lights are mounted to the ceiling and suspended via a chain, rod, or wire.
Put simply, pendant lights hang from the ceiling, and you’ll often hear them referred to as hanging lights. They're known for making a statement and being the centrepiece of a room.
Despite this, pendant lighting can be incredibly versatile. They can be used as the main light source in a room or to provide ambient lighting to complement light supplied by other sources. Bold and bright pendant lights can be used as a design feature to attract the eye, whereas smaller pendant lights in more neutral tones can create a warm, cosy atmosphere.
How to Choose a Pendant Light
It's not an exaggeration to say that finding the perfect pendant light for a particular space can sometimes become an ordeal. If you've ever built, renovated, or redecorated a house, you'll know how difficult it can be to make decisions about decor.
It can be downright stressful!
While selecting decor and fixtures may seem fun at first, it can quickly descend into an overwhelming spectrum of options. Even the most experienced interior designers agonise about colour schemes and statement pieces.
Similarly, the sheer quantity of pendant lights on the market can make selecting the perfect fixture for your space a hard task. Talk about too much choice!
Never fear, though!
There are some concrete steps you can take to narrow down the endless options. You'll find a pendant light to put the finishing touches on your room in no time!
1. Determine How Much Light the Pendant Light Needs to Provide
The first step in the process of choosing a pendant light involves asking yourself some purely practical questions.
How much light does the pendant lighting fixture need to provide? What activities will be performed in this room? How much lighting do those activities require?
The answers to these questions will determine the type of pendant light you need.
Maybe the room you're decorating has other sources of light, such as downlights or spotlights. If this is the case, you will not need to rely on the pendant light as the primary source of light. You can select a pendant light purely based on aesthetic qualities.
If the room does not have other sources of light, or if existing light sources are not sufficient, you will need to take this into account. Some pendant lights provide more light than others.
2. Decide on the Pendant Lighting Placement
Pendant lights look great in several spots around the home. Hanging above an island bench or a dining table are classic examples. You might be surprised to learn that a pendant light hanging above a bed or at the centre of a living room is also a stylish addition.
However, getting placement right is crucial. You don't want to bump your head on the pendant light while you're chopping up vegetables on the island bench or for it to obscure the view of the living room TV.
Placement can make or break the presence of a pendant light in a room. If it is hung too low, too high, or not quite in the right spot, it can change the whole look.
As it’s such an important topic, we’ve written a separate article on positioning pendants.
3. Identify the Style Of the Room
Enough of the practical stuff. We've reached the fun part: aesthetics!
Most people wanting pendant lights are looking to make a statement - something pendant lights are very good at doing. You could argue that some pendant lights are works of art in light fixture form!
However, you need to consider the rest of the room when selecting a pendant light. Some good questions to ask yourself include:
- What colours feature throughout the rest of the room?
- What is the style of the room? Modern minimalist? Luxe bohemian? Industrial chic?
- Are there are any other statement items, furnishings or fixtures in the room that would compete with a pendant light?
Identifying the style of the room will provide parameters for the style of your pendant light. However, sometimes clashing styles can be a fun twist. It's up to you how creative and adventurous you are!
4. Decide on the Shape and Size
As we alluded to earlier, it's vital to get the shape and size of your pendant lighting right.
You don't want to select a pendant light that is too big and obstruct an important view. On the other hand, you don't want to select one that is too small and does not provide enough light.
However, if you've already considered these things, this step can be quite fun!
If you've got lots of room to work with, selecting a large statement pendant light could be a good option for you. Alternatively, you could select multiple smaller pendant lights.
The options really are endless. So have some fun with it!
Types of Pendant Lights
You've probably gathered by now that there are endless amounts of different pendant lights available. However, there are some common styles that are popular with people of all tastes.
Let's take a look at some of them.
Multi-Light Pendant Lights
If you need your pendant lighting to provide a lot of light, a multi-light pendant could be a great option.
Multi-light pendants are, as their name suggests, pendant lights with several globes. A classic example is a chandelier. However, if your taste is more modern, there are plenty of other options from which to choose.
From avant-garde shapes to minimalistic designs, there's a multi-light pendant light to suit every style!
Shade Pendants
Shade pendants often look like suspended lamps hanging from the ceiling. That's because the globe is surrounded by a lamp shade-like shade.
Hence the name.
The shade may be made out of cloth or some other material, such as metal, glass or ceramics. Sometimes shade pendants are referred to as 'drum pendants' or 'bowl pendants'.
Popular with minimalists, shade pendants are simple and classy.
Globe Pendants
Also popular with the minimalists are globe pendants. Usually, globe pendants are just that: a globe suspended from the ceiling.
They do, however, come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes, multiple separate globe pendants are grouped together to create beautiful installations. If you're after a statement light fixture that will easily work with the rest of your room, a globe pendant could be a good option for you.
Linear Pendants
If you're after a pendant light fixture that makes a statement, look no further.
Linear pendants are long light fittings. They often have globes built into them. Otherwise, they may have globes hanging off them. There are all sorts of linear pendants on the market!
Linear pendants work well over island benchtops or dining tables.
Our Favourite Pendants for 2022
Pendant lights are one of the most popular lighting fixtures across Australia — and for good reason. They’re versatile, elegant, eye-catching and available in a huge range of styles, colours, shapes, finishes and prices. Unlike lights that sit flush against the ceiling, pendant lighting is made to stand out, making it the perfect choice for homeowners and business owners who like to keep their lighting interesting.
Whether you’re building your home, starting a remodel or just ready for something new, we’ve got the best pendant lights for your kitchen, living room, bedroom, dining room and everywhere else. Discover our top ten favourites below or browse our entire pendant light collection online today.
Best Overall Pendant
Pendant lights are versatile fixtures and none more so than this one. Voted our best overall pendant light, this fixture sports a simple and beautifully bold classic silhouette that will fit in perfectly anywhere in your home. It’s large enough to offer a great distribution of light yet won’t overwhelm your space. Best of all? This budget-friendly light comes in five beautiful colours: brushed brass, brushed copper, brushed nickel, black and white.
Price (RRP): From $95.30*
*Price may have changed at time of reading
Best Designer/ Statement Pendant
If you’re searching for a unique pendant light, this fixture has everything you’re looking for. This large pendant light is the perfect touch for any contemporary home, where its stunning minimalist design will wow you and your guests every time you see it. The elegant light fixture is suspended from three thin wires — which lends to its magical look — and sports an oversized diffuser to create a soft, warm and enjoyable white lite. Choose from two different finishes: matt black or matt white for a spectacular finish to your space.
Price (RRP): From $609.25*
*Price may have changed at time of reading
Best Value Pendant Light
Being on a budget doesn’t mean you have to settle for second-best, especially with these refreshing modern pendant lights. Voted one of the best pendant lights for the bedroom, living room, kitchen or any other indoor area, these Tambura fixtures sport a Scandinavian-inspired minimalist design that looks great in any space. The wooden base and cloth shade will add a touch of cosy warmth to your home at a price that you can afford.
Available in three different sizes and two different shade options, these lights look especially stunning when grouped together at different lengths.
Price (RRP): From $65.94*
*Price may have changed at time of reading
Best Kitchen Island Pendant
Hanging pendant lights over an island or dining table is one of the most popular lighting trends we see these days — so why not be a bit different? Instead of classic pendants, opt for a fabulous, understated strip light such as this Sword Pendant Light. It sports a clean, simple design that will enhance your space without overpowering it. Its powerful lighting output works great as a task light and diffuses evenly over large spaces, making it one of the best pendant lights for kitchens and dining rooms. This light is available in three different lengths and two beautiful finishes to help you achieve the perfect look for your home.
Price (RRP): From $559.99*
*Price may have changed at time of reading
Best for the Bedroom
The best pendant lights for the bedroom offer a warm and cosy vibe that will help set the mood in your space. Our Lava pendant does exactly that! With a natural timber base, geometric glass shade and a calming light, this fixture will help your bedroom feel more welcoming than ever before so that you can relax in blissful comfort at the end of the day. This timeless pendant is available in two different sizes.
Price (RRP): From $132.70*
*Price may have changed at time of reading
Best Outdoor Pendant
Who says that pendants have to stay indoors? If you want to add a little vertical interest to your outdoor patio, deck or other space, we offer modern pendant lights specifically rated for outdoor use such as the Urban Rod pendant. This light boasts a simple and streamlined design in a dark metal finish, making it an ideal finishing piece for any style, from industrial to coastal. A shallow shade and strong globe ensure that light is dispersed widely across the area to create a comfortable ambience that you’re sure to fall in love with over and over again.
Price (RRP): From $234.00*
*Price may have changed at time of reading
Best Chandelier/Candelabra
The classic candelabra style gets a modern upgrade in this popular pendant piece. Voted one of our best pendant lights for dining or living areas, this fixture is the perfect solution for when you want to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to a space. It illuminates via a soft light to create a delightfully warm and decadent atmosphere. Choose from two different finishes (black or antique brass) to get the look that you love.
Price (RRP): From $284.80*
*Price may have changed at time of reading
Best Industrial Pendant Light
A sensational mix of rustic timber, industrial metallic accents and exposed globes is what makes this piece one of the best pendant lights of 2022. You’ll have trouble finding anything as fabulous as this unique pendant light — it’s guaranteed to bring character to your space! Thanks to its length (you can choose from either two light or three light options), this multi-light pendant is ideal for suspending above larger areas such as a dining table or island.
Price (RRP): From $399.00*
*Price may have changed at time of reading
Best Modern Pendant Light
A minimalist look doesn’t have to mean boring, which is why we love this modern pendant light. It boasts a clean, minimal design that will fit in well with any contemporary, modern or Scandinavian home style. What makes it special is its natural timber base and wide steel shade with a subtle geometric design that help add visual interest and make it one of the best pendant lighting fixtures online. This popular piece is available in three different sizes and two different finishes.
Price (RRP): From $157.84*
*Price may have changed at time of reading
Best Multi-Light Pendant
When a single pendant won’t get the job done, a multi-light fixture is the only way to go. This cage pendant light is one of the best pendant lights for over islands, dining tables, coffee tables, couches and anywhere else where one pendant isn’t enough. The bold and beautiful design offers a minimalist and contemporary appeal, but it wouldn’t look out of place in a rustic or industrial space either. With steel cages and glass shades, this light is easy to maintain and is also available as a single light pendant for those who want additional fixtures in the same style.
Price (RRP): From $149.00*
*Price may have changed at time of reading
Make a Statement With a Pendant Light
Are you ready to revolutionise your home?
Installing pendant lights is an easy way to brighten up your home and make a statement at the same time.
We hope this pendant light guide has been helpful! Now you know how to choose a pendant light, check out our great range of pendant lights - we've got something for every taste and style!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pendant lights adjustable?
Just about all pendant lights have the option to shorten the drop of the light. If the pendant has a cord you can pull through the canopy as high as you like to the ceiling. If the pendant has a fixed metal rod then you will have to have the set length of the rod.
My pendant light is not hanging straight, what can i do?
If your pendant is not hanging straight firstly check the canopy base is sitting flat to the ceiling. If the base is straight then check the entry point cable of the pendant fixture, sometimes the suspension cable may be sitting at an angle.
