Lanterns & Pendant Lights

Types of Lanterns and Pendant Lights 

Some of the most popular choices include single- and multi-light pendants, glass pendants, classic lanterns, globe and drum shade pendants, and linear pendants.

When choosing the right type for your space, consider the amount of lighting you want to achieve and go from there.

How to Choose the Perfect Lanterns and Pendant Lights for Every Space  

Consider the room design — the lantern should complement the space. You should also mind the purpose of the lantern. Multiple light pendants are a great choice for large spaces, while drum shade pendants are often used as statement pieces.

Ask yourself, what is the purpose of this light? Is it a stylish fixture that will add a little extra accent lighting to the foyer, or do you need direct lighting above your kitchen to ensure each dish is a culinary masterpiece? Once you decide whether this pendant light is providing task or ambient light, you can narrow down your search considerably.

Here are the different types of pendant lights:

Multi-arm Pendant Lights -These pendant lights are like a chandelier. Multi-arm pendant lights are perfect for installing over rectangle or round tables.

Linear Pendant Lights -This style of a pendant light is thin and long.

Shades Pendant Lights -A  glass shade or bulb is exposed with one globe. You can group shade style pendant lights to achieve a dramatic effect in your dining hall or living room.

Start by establishing the purpose of your pendant light.

First things first: Ask yourself, what is the purpose of this light? Is it a snazzy fixture that will add a little extra accent lighting to foyer, or do you need direct lighting above your kitchen is to ensure each dish is a culinary masterpiece? Once you decide whether this pendant light is providing task or ambient light, you can narrow down your search considerably.

Evaluate which pendant type would work best for your needs.

Now that you know the purpose of your light fixture, you can determine which type of pendant light is up for the task. Popular types of pendant lighting include drums, globes, lanterns, and bell-shaped pendants to name a few. Since they're fully shaded, drums tend to be a great option for ambient light, while bell-shaped fixtures are usually a fantastic choice for task light.

Determine the size and number of pendants you will need.

Your pendant light quantity and scale depends entirely on their function and where you plan to install them. If you're thinking about hanging multiple drop pendants, remember that your design objective is to achieve balance. You want to strike a visual balance between the pendants, as well as between the light fixture and the room itself. Going big can work if you're only hanging one pendant, but if you're hanging multiples, bigger is not better. A good idea would be to measure your space to ensure you have enough room for the arrangement you have in mind.

Reflect on how the pendant style will mesh with the rest of the room's decor.

And we've saved the best for last: After you've gone through all the above listed steps, and you've narrowed down your pendant lighting options, it's time to have a little fun. Of course, your pendant light needs to be functional, but that doesn't mean it can't look good while doing its job. For now, put those practical considerations aside and remember, balance continues to be the name of the game — your pendant lights beauty should accent and complement the rest of your well-thought-out decor. Look for stunning options that will blend effortlessly with your design and illuminate your oh-so chic space in all the right ways.

Decisions to make before installation:

One primary consideration before installing a pendant light is the height of the ceiling. Allow at least a 2.1-meter clearance if you want to install pendant lights in an open space so that your family and visitors can easily walk underneath. Clearance refers to how low your pendant lights or any lighting fixture can hang from the ceiling.

In addition to the height of the ceiling, here are other consideration before installing pendant lights:

• The clearance required highly depends on the placement of the fixture, the desired space coverage the light can reach, and the height of a fixture or the hanging length, which is equally important as the size.
• For bedrooms, open foyers, and living rooms keep at least 7 feet clearance from the pendant lights to the floor. For an 8-foot ceiling, you can achieve the general lighting requirements and clearance for the room by using a low-profile flush-mount.
• Hang pendant lights in a hallway or an open foyer at least 6 feet higher than the door.
• Keep 8 feet clearance between the bottom of the pendant light and the top of the tub in a bathroom. For smaller bathrooms, or if the height can’t accommodate this rule, it’s better to install a smaller pendant light or hang the fixture at least 3 feet away from the tub.

Conclusion

When you see that picture perfect pendant-lit room in your mind's eye, you can make your final decision with confidence knowing that you've considered all these important considerations.