How to Determine The Proper Height For A Pendant Lamp

Pendant lighting is an ideal way to add light to your surroundings as well as adding something decorative and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. These days, with so many funky and decorative pendant lighting designs available, it is easy to see why more and more homeowners are choosing to add pendant lights to their décor. If you are one of them, you may be thinking the number one question that many people have when they buy a pendant lamp: How high do I hang it? Here is a good guide for choosing the proper height for your lamp.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Asking Yourself the Right Questions

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1
Think about what effect you want from this lamp.
- Think about what you want from the pendant light. Is it meant to provide a bright light for working or a soft mood light? A chandelier might overwhelm a small space while a more utilitarian lamp could look too harsh for your living area.
- Decide if the lamp's purpose and design will match the room's décor. A light fixture made of chrome or stainless steel will look sleek and modern. Blown glass gives an artistic feel. Chandeliers are more romantic and elegant.^{[1]
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Consider where you want the lamp to hang.^{[2]
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- Consider the size of your light.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Garrison Hullinger
  Interior Designer
  
  Expert Interview} As a general rule of thumb, a larger light can be moved higher while a smaller light can be moved lower.
- Consider the size of the room. How tall is the ceiling? Rooms with unusually high ceilings require lights that are bigger and hang lower.
- If you are hanging the light over a table or a kitchen island, think about the size of that as well. If you have a large table, you can get away with hanging your lamp slightly higher up. Also, look at the shape of your table. Is it round, square, or rectangular? If you have a rectangular table, an island, or a counter, you will likely need more than one hanging pendant light.^{[4]
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  Garrison Hullinger
  Interior Designer
  
  Expert Interview}

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Measuring the Proper Height

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1
Hang a lamp over a kitchen table or island.
- Start with 28 to 34 inches (71.1 to 86.4 cm), measuring from the bottom of the hanging light and the surface of your table. This range will be your base measurement. Use it as a rough guideline when planning the placement of your light.^{[5]
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- When hanging a light over a table, be sure to plan for the height of the people that may use that space. Nobody wants a light glaring in his or her eyes or knocking them in the head while they are chopping vegetables.
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Hang a lamp over the floor.^{[6]
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- Plan for roughly 84 to 96 inches (213.4 to 243.8 cm) from the bottom of the light to the floor. You should provide at least 1 foot (0.3 m) of clearance for the person walking below.
- Calculate according to the height of the ceiling. For an 8-foot ceiling, a pendant lamp should hang about 12 to 20 inches (30.5 to 50.8 cm) below. For each additional foot of ceiling height, add 3 inches (7.6 cm).

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Getting a Second Opinion

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One of the best ways to decide on the perfect height of your pendant light is to get someone else to lower or raise the light while you stand a distance away to see how it all looks.^{[7]
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This will allow you to make sure the lamp is not blocking your view, knocking into your head, or interfering in any way with your routine.

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How high should a pendant lamp be?

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If it was over a dining room table the light should illuminate the whole table to the top of the chair backs. This keeps the harshest part of the light out of the eyes while sitting. Typically 66 inches off the floor is best.

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At what height should I put a mini pendant from the ceiling in the living room? Or, how much room from the floor?

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Usually when over a table in a dining room it should be about 5 feet from the ground if the ceiling is 7-8 feet.

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Tips

When hanging pendant lights over a kitchen island or counter, plan for about one lamp for every two feet of counter space. This will provide enough light for a proper working space.^{[8]
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Provide plenty of clearance for your taller family members and friends. Even if there is technically enough room, people still have a tendency to duck their heads if a light feels too low.

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Consider a retractable cord for your fixture that will allow you to vary the light amount it gives.

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Warnings

Pendant lighting should only be installed by a qualified electrician as it involves wiring electrical appliances. In addition, some types of chandelier lighting can be heavy.

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