How to choose the right pendant ceiling light that suits your space
Pendant lighting is the perfect way to add an extra touch of elegance to any space. A modern alternative to the chandelier, it can instantly make a space feel warmer, cozier and more luxurious. They are also incredibly versatile, meaning they can work in a wide range of spaces — whether it’s a home or business. However, not all pendant lights are created equal. They come in a plethora of different shapes, sizes and colours, each creating a slightly different effect and atmosphere. When it comes to choosing the right pendant ceiling light for your space, there are various important factors to take into account. Here are 6 things you should consider before you choose your light.
Consider your ceiling height
When it comes to choosing a pendant light, your ceiling height is the most important factor. This is the distance between the flat surface of the floor to the flat surface of the ceiling. It’s vital to measure this before you start searching for your ceiling pendant light, as this will determine what length the cord needs to be. Hanging your ceiling light to high or low can affect the visual balance of the space or be an inconvenience or even a hazard! You can check how long the cord for each pendant lighting is in Smith&Smith’s catalogue by looking at the specifications and looking at the cord section, where the maximum length of the cord will be listed in centimetres. Still unsure which cord length is right for your ceiling? Contact us today and we will talk you through your options.
Choose your lighting scheme
While the bulb you choose largely determines the strength of your light, the colour and style of the glass also play a role. Consider what type of lighting scheme you want to achieve in the room. Are you trying to lighten up a dark space, emit a romantic glow in the bedroom or add warmth to a room? These are things you should consider when it comes to choosing both your pendant light and bulb. For example, our Nug pendant light emits a warm, cognac-coloured glow, while a clear glass Rippe Pendant is dimmer. The shape of the pendant light can also affect light projection — the wider the pendant, the more light will be emitted.
Think about how it will be used
It’s important to consider how the pendant light will actually be used in your space. Is it a statement piece? Or perhaps it will be used to create ambience or bring attention to a feature piece in the home? Are you going to be using it as a reading light in the bedroom? If so, you’ll want to ensure that the cord is the right length to sit where a bedside lamp would, allowing enough room to put things on the bedside table. If the light is intended to be functional (for example, to be used in a study or kitchen), it’s also a good idea to consider the brightness and light projection.
There is also legislation that dictates how close lights can be to wet areas, so you’ll want to consider this if you’re using it in the bathroom or in certain areas of the kitchen. If you’re buying a pendant light for a public place like a cafe, restaurant or store, you’ll also want to ensure that it isn’t too low or large, so customers don’t bump their heads on it!
Size up your space
Before you choose your pendant light, it’s a good idea to identify which area it's going to hang in. As well as figuring out what the purpose will be, you’ll want to ensure the ceiling light is going to sit comfortably in this space. To preview how a pendant light would look in various locations in your home, you could try attaching an item like a piece of fruit to a strong piece of rope and dangling it from above. This can help you determine how much space you have to work within that area, as well as how low you’re going to be able to hang your pendant light. This can also help you figure out whether you want to hang just one singular pendant light or go with a style that works well when grouped together, like the Brady 300 Pendant.
Work with your current aesthetic
Pendant lights are the perfect finishing touch for any space. However, it’s important to choose one that compliments your current home styling. For spaces with a modern and minimalistic feel, the matte black Brady ‘250’ Pendant light is a stylish accompaniment. On the other hand, the Lennox Pendant is ideal for spaces with an industrial chic feel while pendant lights with a diamond pattern like the Zarz pendant light have a more elegant, luxurious feel.
Compliment your colour scheme
At Smith&Smith, many of our pendant ceiling lights are versatile enough to work in a wide array of colour schemes. However, you’ll still want to make sure the shade of your ceiling light is going to compliment the colours in your space. Smoke coloured glass can be the perfect accompaniment to a moody and monochrome colour scheme, while cognac glass warms up any space and opal glass is neutral enough to work in just about any space.
Still need help picking the right pendant ceiling light for your space? Our friendly team are here to help. Contact us today and one of our friendly staff will be in touch.