5 tips for choosing the perfect modern pendant light
08.2022
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A modern hanging light is a stylish and striking decor element. Discover 5 things you should consider before you make your choice
5 tips for choosing a contemporary pendant light
Choosing a modern pendant or ceiling light may sound easy, but it actually requires some careful consideration of both the space and how the light itself work together. After all, it is not merely a source of illumination but also a key décor element and that means extra attention to your choice. In this article we take a look at the aspects to take into account when choosing a modern pendant light, the types of spaces it is often used in and, finally, a few tips to help ensure the overall décor is balanced and stylish.
How to choose a modern pendant lamp
There are 3 main areas to consider when choosing a modern pendant light:
- Style
- Size
- Material
Each of these must of course be considered in the context of the design and furnishing style of the home and the various rooms within it. If your home is decorated in a minimalist fashion, for example, you should avoid a classic hanging lamp because the contrast could be too great. Or, if you have a small room, the light should not be too large as it would risk dominating and creating a claustrophobic atmosphere at odds with the welcoming feeling you most likely want to create throughout the home. In the same way, the material you choose should be in keeping with the design and feel that runs throughout your house, whether that is metal, plastic, wood, stone or glass.
Where to install a modern pendant light
Given that pendant or hanging lights provide plenty of illumination, they are usually hung in the rooms or areas of the house where we spend most time. In general, we are talking about 3 spaces:
- Kitchen
- Living room
- Bathroom
If you decide to place a modern pendant lamp in the kitchen, it needs to cast a uniform light and will usually be installed in one or more strategic areas of the room, unless you opt for one main light and combine it with other sources of illumination, eg an LED strip above the oven. This is because you will have many different zones in a kitchen, such as the stove, maybe an island and various workstations where you prepare or eat food.
The same principles often apply to choosing modern ceiling lamps in the living room, although here there is perhaps more latitude for experimenting or taking a more daring approach. In fact, the living room is the perfect stage for a striking hanging lamp or cluster of lights, where it will dictate to a certain extent the design of the entire room. One such example is our Farfalla, a long and slender rod of luminous white marble that lends elegance and a sense of airiness wherever it is installed.
Now, on to the third room where a modern pendant lamp can be an interesting, although unusual choice. That said, there are precedents and there is no reason, assuming space allows, you shouldn’t hang interesting or eye-catching smaller lights above the washbasin or bath. You’ll enjoy the dual benefits of a well-lit bathroom and a decorative touch that can often be missing from this smallest of rooms.
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5 tips for choosing a pendant light
If you have your heart set on a hanging lamp, there are 5 key pieces of advice we would offer:
- Pay attention to the height
- Think about safety
- Maintain a balance across the various light sources
- Calibrate your mix of lights
- Ensure the light fits with the rest of the décor in the home
The height at which your lamp sits is fundamental, not only to create the right level of illumination, but also in terms of its decorative effect. If it hangs too low it may become both a physical and visual obstacle, as well as minimising the potential light it emits. The general rule is that the light itself should sit at a quarter of the distance between the ceiling and floor.
Safety is an aspect that should never be neglected when furnishing a room and a pendant light is no exception. For example, it should be installed away from heat sources, so that its performance is not compromised over time.
The balance between light sources is another key factor when it comes to suspension lamps. It is all too easy to think that a single hanging light is enough to illuminate an entire room, but if we are talking about a large space, you may end up with a dim, poorly-lit result. To avoid this, add other light sources such as reading lamps or table lamps in strategic corners to complement the main fixture.
Another common error is thinking that you must use only one hanging lamp in a single room, but this is not necessarily true. In a large living room, for example, there is nothing to stop you installing two, three or even more. Our Silo in white or dark brown natural stone works perfectly alone, in a cluster or spaced out at regular intervals.
Finally, the most important thing to remember when you decide on modern hanging lamps is to create a theme throughout the entire home. In other words, it’s best to try and decide upon a shape and material, then replicate it in every room so that you create continuity across the various spaces and a harmonious, uniform design.
So, we have looked at the key principles to bear in mind when you are choosing hanging lamps for your home. Of course, this is just a brief overview which we hope gives you some idea of where to start, and hopefully provides inspiration. When it comes to designing a lighting plan, we suggest organising a complimentary design consultation and speak with an expert so that you don’t miss out an essential aspect. If you have any questions, please contact us and one of our team will be delighted to help.
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