From hallways to dining rooms, adding pendant lights is one of the best ways to brighten a space. Pendant lights are a type of lighting that are mounted to the ceiling and suspended by a downrod or chain. These fixtures come in a wide variety of shapes and styles to suit different areas, such as task lighting over a kitchen island or general lighting for a living room. Our guide covers all you need to know about pendant lights, including tips on choosing the right design, material, and features to complement your home.

Fixture Design

We love pendant lights for their practicality and style. They come in six main designs: single, kitchen island, statement, cluster, lantern and pool table lights.

Single: Single pendant lights only have one light and can be hung individually or grouped together. The slim, hanging silhouette draws the eye up while the different shades can help you create a customized look.

Kitchen Island: If you want to place a pendant light in a kitchen, consider a type of pendant light designed to hang above a kitchen island. These pendant lights typically have a long, linear shape rather than a round one, and they often have multiple lights attached to the same fixture.

Statement: Statement pendant lights add a unique touch to any space. These bold fixtures have eye-catching details, such as sculptural shapes or stylish materials.

Cluster: This design features a cluster of pendant lights suspended from one base. The lights are usually hung at different heights for added visual appeal. Cluster pendant lights can come with various amounts of lights, ranging from two to more than 12.

Lantern: Lantern pendants have a rectangular or round frame that encloses a set of candle-style lights. The lantern silhouette can range from a contemporary, clean-lined design to a more traditional style.

Pool Table Lights: As the name suggests, pool table lights are designed to hang above a pool table. This type of fixture typically has three cone- or dome-shaped lights attached to one horizontal rod.

Fixture Shape

When choosing pendant lights, shape is a key design consideration. The shape can affect the style and function of the fixture, so we've outlined the most popular shapes to help you choose the best one for your home.

Linear: Linear pendant lights are made of a row of individual lights that are connected to a horizontal frame or a base attached to the ceiling. These fixtures are ideal for lighting large surfaces, such as dining tables or kitchen islands, without worrying about spacing singular pendant lights.

Geometric: This type of pendant light uses geometric shapes to create visual interest. The angular and sometimes cage-like shape make these lights a perfect addition to contemporary or transitional-style spaces.

Cone: These pendant lights have a circular opening and taper near the top to create a cone shape. Cone-shaped shades can be made of several different materials, including fabric, metal and glass.

Dome: With a dome-shaped silhouette and a wide opening, these shades provide plenty of light. This rounded shape is great for softening a space and contrasting with clean-lined furniture. Dome shades are typically made of metal or glass.

Cylinder: Cylinder-shaped shades combine rounded edges with straight lines for a classic design. Often made with glass or metal, this shape is a versatile addition to your space.

Globe: Globe pendant lights have a glass shade that fully encloses the light. This disperses light evenly throughout the space, and the globe shape blends seamlessly into any style home.

Bell: These pendant lights have an elongated dome shape that gets narrower or wider near the opening of the fixture. Though bell-shaped pendants are most frequently made of glass, they can also be made of metal.

Drum: Drum-shaped pendants are similar to cylinder pendants, but are shorter and wider. The shades can be made of almost any material – from glass to metal to fabric – to match the style of the room.

Square: The most popular type of square-shaped pendants are lantern pendants. This type of pendant light has a square-shaped frame that adds a structural element overhead while the open silhouette maintains the airy feel.

Bulb: These pendant lights let the lightbulbs be the center of attention. Vintage-inspired Edison bulbs add the right amount of retro flair, and the bare bulb-look is perfect for an industrial aesthetic.

Teardrop: With a base that is wider than the top, these light fixtures are shaped like teardrops. Teardrop-shaped pendant lights are crafted from glass or metal, and they bring a bit of organic style to your light fixtures.

Bowl: Unlike dome- or cone-shaped pendant lights, bowl-shaped shades face upward rather than downward. The bowl-shaped shade is secured with three or four supports attached to the downrod. This upward light creates a soft, diffused glow that makes any space feel cozy.

Schoolhouse: These shades were originally used in schoolhouses during the 1900's and have become popular again due to their nostalgic appeal. The shades are made from blown glass and feature curved ridges, simple metal hardware, and a slim metal downrod. The glass comes in clear, seeded, and opal options to match your preference. With a vintage-inspired shape and glass shade, schoolhouse pendant lights have a sense of timeless style.

Jar: This shape is designed to mimic the look of jars. These jar-shaped pendants can resemble small mason jars or larger vase-like jars. This shape works well in rustic or farmhouse-style homes.

Tiered: Featuring multiple layers, tiered pendant lights add a dynamic look to your home. From a cluster of pendant lights to a tier made of shells, these fixtures provide plenty of dimension.

Urn: Much like teardrop pendant lights, urn pendant lights face upward and are secured by supports attached to a downrod. The shape of the glass bowl is similar to bell-shaped shades with its circular opening and tapered base.

Star: Bring an eclectic edge with a star-shaped pendant light. Made from glass and metal, this type of pendant light has a three-dimensional, geometric shape. These star-shaped pendant lights emit a cozy glow and are best used as accent lighting.

Shade Material

Shade material is another important element. Not only does the material of the shade change the appearance of the pendant lights, it can also affect the functionality of the fixtures.

Glass: Glass shades are a popular choice for pendant lighting. The sheer or semi-sheer shade creates an ambient glow that is evenly dispersed throughout the space. There are a few different types of glass to choose from: clear, frosted, Murano, Mercury and seeded. With so many glass types available, it's easy to match the style of your home.

Metal: Metal is another popular material for pendant lighting shades. These shades are often dome- or cone-shaped, and come in several finishes like matte black, antiqued bronze or polished brass. Because metal shades are opaque, they are better suited for task lighting over a dining table or kitchen island. They can also work well paired with other types of fixtures, such as table lamps or sconces, to create a layered lighting design.

Fabric: Similar to glass shades, fabric shades give off a soft, diffused glow. Fabric shades are usually drum- or cone-shaped and come in different materials, such as cotton, linen, and polyester. Fabric shades are an excellent choice for adding ambient light to bedrooms, living rooms or dining rooms.

Crystal: Crystal shades are a great way to make a stylish statement. The crystals are attached to the pendant light frame and have small shiny facets that reflect the light. These shades add an elegant shimmer to any space.

Wood/Bamboo: This type of shade brings a natural element to your space. Most shades made from wood or bamboo are built around a thin metal frame for support – this design makes the natural appeal stand out. These shades are ideal for any style, from modern farmhouse to sleek industrial.

Shell: These shades are made from seashells and incorporated into the design of the pendant lights, either through inlay detailing or attached to the base of the fixture. Most shell shades are a neutral color and have an iridescent finish that catches the light. Fixtures with shell shades are a great choice for coastal or bohemian spaces.

Pendant Size

Pendant lights come in plenty of sizes so that you can find the right fit. If you're not sure which size to choose, read our guide How to Measure for a Ceiling Light to find helpful tips.

Mini: Measuring less than 16cm wide, mini pendant lights are best suited for accent lighting or paired with other types of lighting.

Small: Small pendant lights are 16–27cm wide. They work well as individual task lights or installed in twos or threes to light a larger space.

Medium: This size pendant is 28–40cm wide and fits in almost any space. Medium pendant lights can be placed anywhere – in an entryway, centered over a small dining table, or above a nightstand.

Large: Large pendant lights measure 41–75cm wide and create an ideal focal point for a living room, dining room, or bedroom. Long linear pendants are an excellent choice above a rectangular dining table or a kitchen island.

Oversized: Oversized pendant lights are over 75cm wide, so they make a bold statement in a space. These fixtures are a great addition to living rooms, dining rooms, or bedrooms.