How to Properly Space Pendant Lighting

Using pendant lighting to improve any room will make all the difference. It’s easy to install, reasonably priced and comes in too many visually appealing fixtures and designs to list. No matter where you decide to install pendant lighting there are some considerations to think about. The most important one, particularly if you are installing a grouping of lights, is the spacing.

What is Pendant Lighting?

Pendant lighting is the type of lighting that hangs suspended from the ceiling. The styles are varied and beautiful, much like the colors and materials they are made of. You can find chandelier, mini, teardrop, lantern and blown glass designs, among many others.

Floor to Ceiling Spacing

The first thing to consider is how high to hang the pendant lighting you have chosen; and this depends on several factors. Number one factor is how tall your ceilings are.

If you have vaulted ceilings where you intend to hang the pendant lighting then you will want to create a visually appealing break in the space. The halfway mark is a good indicator. There is no hard and fast rule but it should be low enough to be able to change the light bulb and high enough that no head injuries occur.

For typical ceiling heights, such as in the kitchen, the rough estimate is about 30 inches to 36 inches above the counter space. Every room may be different depending on what the use of the lighting is for and how big the light is.

Light to Light Spacing

The second spacing consideration is how far apart to install the pendant lighting fixtures. This is dependent on the light surface area and what you will be using the lighting for. The most common instance of the spacing question is when you are using pendant lighting in the kitchen; above a kitchen island or above the counter tops. 

When using pendant lighting in a grouping above a kitchen island, the biggest consideration is making sure that the whole surface area will be illuminated when your lights are on. The way to do this is dependent on the type of light you have chosen. For sake of explanation consider the mini pendant lights.

If you are hanging a set, or grouping, of four mini pendant lights above a kitchen island you will need to hang them approximately 36 inches from the counter top. Find the halfway point from one end of the counter to the other. Now find the halfway points of each half of the counter. Divide the lights evenly within those measurements. The point is to have even lighting on the whole counter top rather than shadowy lighting on parts of the counter. It may take some adjustment and you do have the option of hanging adjustable height pendants.

You can hang groupings of pendant lighting anywhere you would like and the spacing will depend upon the task you are trying to accomplish. The spacing above the pool table would be different than the spacing above a bathroom sink. The key is to make sure that the shadows between the lights are eliminated.