Guide

Great ways to showcase your pendant lamp

25.1.2024

Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson

Interior design should stimulate the senses. To achieve this, you might need to take the occasional risk. By hanging a lamp a little lower than usual, for example.

«You can never be too bold, only too boring» – said product designer Gabriela Chicherio in an interview about choosing colours for interior spaces. I believe the same applies to how you place furniture and light sources. I’ve noticed that people tend to hang pendant lights close to the ceiling – in spite of their name suggesting they should be hung low so they can swing back and forth. What’s more, pendant lamps simply look better when they’re closer to the floor. But how low should you go with your pendant lamp? It all depends on what the lamp is meant to achieve.

Above a table

A lamp should be suspended at around 60 and 80 centimetres above your table top. At this height, you should have plenty of light on the dining table and, depending on the size of the lamp, some beyond. Installed at this height, the lamp won’t be getting in the eyes of the people seated around the table. The situation’s similar if you install a ceiling light above a desk. Position the lamp at eye level when you’re standing and you’ll be able to see underneath it when you’re sat. It won’t be in your field of vision.

Rule of thumb: a pendant light should be approximately at eye level when you’re stood ...
Source: House Doctor

... and provide a clear view when sitting. — Rule of thumb: a pendant light should be approximately at eye level when you’re stood ...
Source: House Doctor

Above chests of drawers, pedestals or shelves

There are areas where the rules are less rigid. You hang your pendant lamp as low as you want if it’s above storage furniture. Unless you’re putting it up next to a bed. In that case, similar rules apply as with the dining table. Hang the lamp above the side table so you can see a soft light out of the corner of your eye.

Almost anything goes in terms of height when you’re hanging your lamp above a piece of furniture.
Source: Ferm Living

As pendant lights hang from the ceiling, they’ll save space on the bedside table. — Almost anything goes in terms of height when you’re hanging your lamp above a piece of furniture.
Source: Ferm Living

Low-hanging lamps in children’s rooms hardly get in the way of the little ones.
Source: Ferm Living

In a corner

It’s rare for corners of a room to be highlighted. And yet, with the right lamps, they can stand out just as much as the middle of a room. Seeing that you probably don’t spend much time in corners and alcoves, lamps turn into true eye-catchers if they’re suspended extra low in these areas.

Make a simple corner come into its own with the right lighting
Source: Ferm Living

The lower the lamp, the more the spotlight shines on what’s below it. — Make a simple corner come into its own with the right lighting
Source: Ferm Living

Above a sofa

As with storage furniture, there’s not much you need to look out for when it comes to light sources above the sofa. The only thing you want to avoid is positioning a lamp in a way that’ll have you bump into it when you get up. Play it safe by hanging the pendant lamp over a coffee table or stool. This clearly defines the area you shouldn’t enter and also adds a stylish touch.

This lantern completes the seating area above the coffee table.
Source: Ferm Living

It’s unlikely anyone will bump their head on this lowrider placed above the coffee table. — This lantern completes the seating area above the coffee table.
Source: Ferm Living

These low-flyers are also hung in the perfect spot so they won’t get in anyone’s way.
Source: BePureHome

Header image: House Doctor

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Pia Seidel

Senior Editor

Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.ch

Like a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.

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