60 Pendant Light Designs to Beautifully Light Up Your Room

There’s a multitude of light fixtures that you can choose from to lighten up your room or any part of your home. But there’s one that provides necessary adequate illumination for task lighting and aesthetic value to your space.

Pendant lights have the lighting power of recessed lights and flushed mounts, plus the visual appeal of chandeliers. Pendant light designs also come in various styles, from farmhouse to modern, so you can find one that fits your interior style. With the many options available for you, pendant lights are becoming a more popular choice for homeowners.

How do I choose a pendant light design?

With a wide selection of pendant light designs, it is easy to get lost in the mix and have a hard time picking the right one for your home. Here’s a quick go-over on how to choose the perfect pendant light for you!

1. Types of pendant lights

First off, your pendant light should go with the theme or style of your home or space. Knowing the best placement or location for your pendant light requires knowing the different types of pendant light designs. Here are the different types of pendant light designs:

  • Multi-arm pendant lights – Similar to a chandelier with multiple branches with its own light source, but with or without shade.
  • Linear pendant lights – A simple and classic design with one long tube bulb in a long canopy. Usually are thin and long.
  • Shades pendant lights – Any pendant light design that has a shade. The shades are made of various materials, from wood and wicker to brass and copper, sometimes even porcelain.
  • Cord pendant lights – A bare light bulb suspended in a cord. It’s perfect to showcase designer bulbs.

2. Location and ceiling height

Before you go and buy yourself a pendant light, make sure you actually have the necessary ceiling height to even have one. There needs to be at least a 2.1-meter clearance (how low your pendant light can hang from the ceiling) so people can easily walk underneath your pendant light. This clearance is dependent on the placement of the fixture, the space coverage that the light can reach, and the height of the fixture or hanging length.

3. Shape and size of table

If you’re planning on hanging pendant lights in the kitchen or dining room, or anywhere it is a table, you need to consider the shape and size of the table. Multi-arm and linear pendant light designs go well with oval or long rectangular tables. As for round or square tables, a single pendant light is all that’s needed.

4. Pendant light size

It is of course important to choose the right size pendant light. It is recommended to choose an average-sized pendant light to create a harmonious balance. Apart from the ceiling height discussed above, you also need to take note of the fixture’s diameter and height.

5. Easy-clean pendant lights

Finally, when picking out the right pendant light for you, choose one that is easy to clean. Cleaning may be tedious for elaborate pendant light designs, especially since you will need to occasionally clean them. If you don’t mind cleaning, then pick whichever pendant light design you want.

What is the difference between a pendant light and a ceiling light?

Pendant light, in a way, is also a ceiling light. But while pendant light designs hang by a cord or chain with a single or pair of light sources, ceiling lights are not. A ceiling light is fixed or mounted directly to the ceiling.

What is the correct height for pendant lights to hang?

The height at which a pendant light can hang is called clearance. It is important to follow this regardless of the pendant light designs. In interior design, there needs to be at least 2.1-meter clearance. In bedrooms, open foyers, and living rooms, there should be at least a 7-feet clearance for bedrooms, open foyers, and living rooms. If you’re going to hang a pendant light in a hallway or open foyer, it should be at least 6 feet higher than the door.

In a bathroom, keep an 8 feet clearance between the bottom of the light and the top of the tub. For smaller bathrooms, choose a smaller pendant light or hang it at least 3 feet away from the tub.

And if you’re planning to hang a pendant light over a table, the recommended clearance between the table top and bottom of the pendant light is between 28 to 26 inches.

What is the purpose of pendant lighting?

Not only are pendant lights a trendy, versatile, and visually appealing décor, they provided adequate illumination. The suspension design is specifically designed so that the light is closer to your counter or table, bed, or favorite chair, as opposed to a ceiling light. This makes pendant light designs useful for task lighting.

Pendant Light Designs for inspiration

Now, let’s take a look at some stunning pendant light designs!

Carniege

Carnegie
Hampton Kitchens & Bathrooms

The worn look of the shade is a nice touch that goes so well with the modern farmhouse-style kitchen.

Ashbourne

Ashbourne
Hampton Kitchens & Bathrooms

Though pendant light designs are made to grab attention, some look so simple, they appear to be a very subtle addition to the room. Still, there is no denying that they indeed elevate the overall look of this kitchen.

Hardwick

Hardwick
Hampton Kitchens & Bathrooms

At first glance, it may look like a simple cord pendant light, with a light bulb hanging by a chain. But the truth is a tiny bulb is enclosed in a glass shade.

Marlborough

Marlborough
Hampton Kitchens & Bathrooms

You will find many modern chic pendant lights designs perfect for any modern style home like this, in particular. They’re not elaborate to hog all the attention, but not too simple to be boring.

Shelford

Shelford


Hampton Kitchens & Bathrooms

The wide bowl-shaped shade allows for wider light coverage. Its colors too are pretty consistent with the color scheme of this kitchen.

Larna

Larna
Hampton Kitchens & Bathrooms

For a contemporary home like this, this pendant light design seems fitting enough. From the canopy down to the shade, it follows through the theme in color and material.

Roma

Roma
Hampton Kitchens & Bathrooms

Pendant light designs are not just limited to their appearance, how you arrange them also affects how the design looks. In this case, placing each pendant light close to each other and at different heights brings a different dynamic compared to a singular pendant hanging over a counter.

Lumina H Line

Lumina H Line
Hampton Kitchens & Bathrooms

The dents on the shades are great design details. It offers a variety of similar pendant light designs.

Southampton Kitchen

Southampton Kitchen
Hampton Design

These pendant lights are a testament to just how varied and versatile pendant light designs are. They even offer industrial-style pendants like this one.

2012 Design

2012 Design
Gary Finley Interiors

In place of a linear pendant light are a row of round pendant lights. You can also see the subtle difference in ceiling heights of these pendant lights.

Deanna

Deanna
Brayden Studio

This is one of the most elaborate pendant light designs on this list. If you’re looking to really spice things up in your home, consider one of these.

Ramble Romantic

Ramble Romantic
ACM Design

The cone-shaped shades are not uncommon but they are one of the more refreshing geometric shade shapes.

Bellmont Bathroom

Bellmont Bathroom
Custom Cabinets by Design

These pendant light designs make them look like expensive gemstones. For this bathroom design, they surely fit right in.

Kitchen View

Kitchen View
Custom Cabinets by Design

Globe pendant light designs like these are also quite popular. In this home, in particular, it goes well with the chandelier designs.

Kitchen

Kitchen
Custom Cabinets by Design

The color of these pendant lights’ shades is quite an interesting choice, considering the color palette of the kitchen.

Farmhouse Kitchen

Farmhouse Kitchen
Custom Cabinets by Design

Some pendant lights don’t use regular bulbs. In place are more aesthetically pleasing (and more energy-saving) alternatives like LEDs. As such, it is incorporated into the visual design of pendant lights.

Contemporary Kitchen

Contemporary Kitchen
Custom Cabinets by Design

For contemporary spaces, geometric-shaped pendant light designs are among the popular choices for lighting fixtures.

Kitchen Cabinetry

Kitchen Cabinetry
Custom Cabinets by Design

You can also find pendant lights that are designed to look like candles. Not only do they provide ambient lighting, but their appearance alone also brings in an atmosphere of warmth and elegance.

Law St. Bellmont

Law St. Bellmont
Custom Cabinets by Design

Some pendant light designs can even appear like lanterns. So, if you’re looking for something like that, pendant lights have that option for you.

Mill Valley

Mill Valley
Custom Cabinets by Design

These cone-shaped pendant lights are definitely making a statement in this kitchen.

Cat Mountain Remodel

Cat Mountain Remodel
Cornerstone Architects

These series of pendant lights are rather interesting as each’s enclosure is not exactly the same as the other. It gives a sense of quirkiness and uniqueness to the overall look of the kitchen.

Ledge Residence

Ledge Residence
Cornerstone Architects

Pendant lights are not exclusive to indoors. You can also have them in your screened outdoor patio deck.

Ridgewood Cove Residence

Ridgewood Cove Residence
Cornerstone Architects

These lantern-shaped pendant lights extend their range all over the living room floor splendidly.

Blue Grass Residence

Blue Grass Residence
Cornerstone Architects

When you’re having a drink in your home bar, wouldn’t you want to have some ambient lighting that also can act as task lighting.

Wallis Residence

Wallis Residence
Cornerstone Architects

This pendant light does a great job mimicking the chandelier design but gives it a more modern update.

Logans Residence

Logans Residence
Cornerstone Architects

Tiny pendant light designs like these are good to have in a row together to be able to illuminate a far larger space.

Townes Residence

Townes Residence
Cornerstone Architects

This stunning pendant light design is reminiscent of a bouquet. It’s a great elaborate design for those who want to have a touch of femininity in their homes.

Mount Larson Residence

Mount Larson Residence
Cornerstone Architects

You can have a whole bunch of pendant lights hanging over your staircase. Placing each cord light at different heights will add some dynamics.

Portofino Ridge Residence

Portofino Ridge Residence
Cornerstone Architects

The interconnected cords bring a casual and carefree feel to the kitchen. But the shade design is anything but, delivering some chic elegance

Two Coves Residence

Two Coves Residence
Cornerstone Architects

With many pendant lights not using regular bulbs, this allows makers to get really creative with LEDs. The result? They make such interesting and trendy pendant light designs as this one.

Rollingwood Residence

Rollingwood Residence
Cornerstone Architects

Placing a pendant light over your study desk is a novel idea. When you do, better select a design that goes along with your furniture or space.

Rosewood Residence

Rosewood Residence
Cornerstone Architects

The geometric pendant light design is quite fitting as it even matches the hexagonal backsplash tiles.

Designer’s Dream Home

Designer's Dream Home
RLH Studio

With a design reminiscent of a candelabra, these pendant lights bring a romantic feeling to this kitchen.

Lake Okoboji Home

Lake Okoboji Home
RLH Studio

Here’s an interesting and versatile pendant light design that could fit in any home style.

Edina Elegance

Edina Elegance
RLH Studio

Another candelabra-inspired pendant light design but instead of a rectangular or cylindrical enclosure, it’s an upside-down dome-shaped glass shade.

Locust Hills

Locust Hills
RLH Studio

A frosted translucent shade brings dynamic texture to this pendant light design.

Lakeside Getaway

Lakeside Getaway
RLH Studio

When you have three pendant lights attached to one canopy, make sure to adjust them to different heights to add some dynamic.

Urban Condo

Urban Condo
RLH Studio

Instead of just a colorless shade, try to find and select a pendant light with a colored shade like this. Such a design definitely makes a statement.

Tropical Retreat

Tropical Retreat
RLH Studio

A classic and simple pendant light design that definitely fits a tropical retreat.

Sophisticated Elegance

Sophisticated Elegance
RLH Studio

With this bathroom mirror design, the pendant light installed is only fitting to complement the mirror.

The Heart of Home

The Heart of Home
Mahoney Architects + Interiors

In many kitchens, you may find pendant lights designed like this. It’s a classic design that fits a homey atmosphere.

Windsor Terrace House

Windsor Terrace House
Francis Dzikowski Photography

The coolest thing about this is the different shades for each pendant light. It doesn’t take anything from the aesthetic value but instead enhances it.

Colonial White Kitchen Remodel

Colonial White Kitchen Remodel
R.B. Schwartz, Inc.

It’s interesting to see these lantern-like pendant lights indoors as you may have seen these mainly outdoors.

Butler’s Pantry

Butler's Pantry
R.B. Schwartz, Inc.

These globe pendant lights have a traditional look with an industrial charm that somehow works so well in this pantry.

Dutch Colonial Home

Dutch Colonial Home
R.B. Schwartz, Inc.

Shades like these definitely bring a certain charm to your pendant lights. If you’re going for such pendant light designs, at least buy one with colors that already exist in the space where you plan to install them.

Washington, DC

Washington, DC
Pennville Custom Cabinetry

These pendant lights’ shades interestingly look like bottles with open bottoms. From that alone, these have so much personality.

Sarasota, Florida

Sarasota, Florida
Pennville Custom Cabinetry

For a traditional space like this, with so much ornate finish and décor, these pendant lights are only appropriate.

Southampton, NY

Southampton, NY
Pennville Custom Cabinetry

These shades’ design makes them look like long skirts or curtains, bringing a look of elegance.

Mountain Retreat

Mountain Retreat
Clinkston Architects

Bearing a traditional and vintage look, these pendant lights pack a lot of flare and personality.

Cass Gilbert Shingle Style

Cass Gilbert Shingle Style
David Heide Design Studio

The best thing about these pendant lights is the daffodil-like shape of their shade.

Crane Island Retreat

Crane Island Retreat
David Heide Design Studio

A pendant light over the kitchen counter is pretty common, but this home places them over the sink counter.

Minnetonka Charmer

Minnetonka Charmer
David Heide Design Studio

Having this single pendant light by the range is rather unique, but it is definitely not one without purpose.

Cocktails Victorian Style

Cocktails Victorian Style
David Heide Design Studio

With this Victoria-style bar, these pendant lights are the tamest thing in this space but are still stunning, regardless.

Summit Avenue Spectacular

Summit Avenue Spectacular
David Heide Design Studio

In some pendant lights, it’s not the shade that is most ornate. For this one, it is the chain that hangs the light.

Northern Nordic

Northern Nordic
David Heide Design Studio

This pendant light looks like it’s a light bulb with a light bulb inside.

The Isles Kitchen

The Isles Kitchen
Kate Roos Design

With an ornate suspension rod, the shade also brings some of its own unique and striking appearances.

The Meadowbrook Kitchen

The Meadowbrook Kitchen
Kate Roos Design

Where most shades envelope from the cover down to the bulb, this one has it wrapped around instead, leaving it open from the top and bottom.

The Jennings Bay Kitchen

The Jennings Bay Kitchen
Kate Roos Design

The black-painted shades are a nice contrast to the golden chains. It’s elegant and sophisticated.

The Pamela Park Kitchen

The Pamela Park Kitchen
Kate Roos Design

Compared to the design and style of the rest of the kitchen, these pendant lights are the most striking with their contemporary feel.

Park Place

Park Place
Calvis Wyant Luxury Homes

With a cage-like shade, this pendant light is definitely fitting for modern industrial spaces and even for farmhouse-styled homes.

That’s all for our selection of pendant light designs! Which one of these caught your attention the most?

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Pendant Light Designs to Beautifully Light Up Your Room