Pendant lights over a kitchen island are both work light and the main decoration of the kitchen. Get the number, spacing and height right and the whole room looks designed.
How many pendants?
- Island up to 180 cm (6 ft): 2 pendants, or 1 linear pendant.
- 180–270 cm (6–9 ft): 3 pendants.
- Over 270 cm: 3–5 pendants, or a long linear fixture.
Odd numbers (3 or 5) usually look most balanced.
How far apart?
Leave 60–80 cm (24–30 in) between the centres of the pendants, and at least 15 cm (6 in) between the outer pendants and the ends of the island. A simple method: divide the island length by the number of pendants plus one — that gives the spacing.
How high?
Hang the bottom of the pendants 75–90 cm (30–36 in) above the worktop. Taller people and wide shades need the upper end of this range; small glass pendants can hang a little lower.
What size?
- 3 pendants: shades of about 20–35 cm (8–14 in) each.
- 2 pendants: larger shades of 35–45 cm (14–18 in).
- 1 linear pendant: about two-thirds of the island length.
Which style?
Glass keeps the kitchen open and bright — see hand-blown glass pendants. Brass warms up white and wood kitchens — see brass lighting. Black domes suit industrial kitchens, and mid-century shapes add a retro touch — see mid-century pendants.
Light for cooking
Open-bottom shades direct light onto the worktop. Use warm white 2700–3000 K bulbs and a dimmer, so the island works as a bright prep area by day and a soft bar light in the evening.
Browse our kitchen island pendant lights, or send us your island length and ceiling height and we will suggest a set.