3 Ways to Establish the Right Height for a Pendant Lamp

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Pendant lamps are a great idea if you want to fill the room with light and, at the same time, add a decorative and aesthetically pleasing object. These days, with so many designs of all kinds of ornamental lamps on the market, it's easy to see why more and more people are choosing them for their decor.

If you are one of them, you might ask yourself question number one, which so many people ask when buying a pendant lamp: how high do I attach it? Here is a good guide to determining the right height for your lamp.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Part One: Asking Yourself the Right Questions

Step 1. What effect do I want this lamp to produce?

• Think about what you want from your lamp. Does it have to make a bright light to work or a soft light? A chandelier might overwhelm a space if it's small, while a more functional lamp might seem too harsh for your living room.

  

• Decide if the lamp's lens and design go well with the room's decor. A light and chrome or stainless steel lighting fixture will look sleek and modern. The blown glass gives a more artistic look. Chandeliers are more romantic and elegant.

  

Step 2. Where do I want to hang the lamp?

• Think about the size of your lamp. As a general rule, a large light can be placed higher and a small one lower.

  

• Think about the size of the room. How high is the ceiling? Rooms with very high ceilings need larger lights that hang low enough.

  

• If you're hanging the lamp above a table or kitchen island, think about their size as well. If you have a large table, you can hang your lamp high enough. Also, pay attention to the shape of the table: is it round, square or rectangular? if you have a rectangular table, island or counter, you will need more than just one pendant light.

  

Method 2 of 3: Part Two: Measure the Right Height

Step 1. Hang a lamp above the kitchen table or above the island

• Start with a measurement between 60 and 85 cm, measuring from the bottom end of the hanging lamp to the surface of your table; this distance will be your base measurement. Use this as a rough guideline when planning the placement of your lamp.

  

• When you hang a light above a table, be sure to also think about the height of the people who might be sitting at that table. Nobody wants to hit the lamp with their head while they are cutting vegetables, or for the light to get in their eyes.

  

Step 2. Hang a lamp above the floor

• Take a measurement of approximately 210-245cm from the bottom of the light to the floor. It is best if you leave at least 30cm away from the heads of the people who will walk under the lamp.

  

• Take your measurements taking into account the height of the ceiling. For a 2.5m ceiling, the pendant light should hang about 30 to 50cm below. For every 30 cm more of ceiling height, add 7.5 cm.

  

Method 3 of 3: Part Three: Getting Advice

Step 1. It is better if there will be another person with you to decide on the height

One of the best ways to decide on the right height for your pendant light is to ask another person to lower or raise it while you, from a distance, see how it is.

Step 2. Try walking around the room or sitting at the table while your friend holds the light in his position

By doing this you will understand if the lamp is blocking your view, hitting your head or interfering in any way with your routine.

Advice

• Try to give as much space as possible to the tallest members of your family and friends. Although technically there is still space, people usually tend to lower their heads if it seems to them that the lamp is positioned too low.
• When hanging pendant lights above a kitchen island or counter, a good calculation you could make is one lamp every 60cm. Doing so will give enough light to the entire space of the room.
• You may want to consider a retractable rope for your lighting fixture that allows you to vary the amount of light provided.