Mid-Century Modern Pendant Lights

What makes a light mid-century modern

Mid-century design comes from the 1950s and 1960s: simple geometric shapes, thin metal arms, globes and cones, and a playful, optimistic feel. Typical materials are brass, black or white metal, opal and clear glass, and wood. These lights still look fresh today and fit both retro and contemporary interiors.

Popular mid-century styles

Sputnik chandeliers. A central sphere with many arms and bare bulbs — a classic of the space age. Great over dining tables and in living rooms with high ceilings.

Globe chandeliers. Opal or clear glass globes on brass branches. Soft, even light for living and dining rooms; see also our hand-blown glass pendant lights.

Cone and dome pendants. Simple metal shades in black, white or colours, perfect in a row over a kitchen island.

Multi-arm and adjustable designs. Arms that can be turned to direct the light — practical and sculptural at the same time.

How to use mid-century lighting at home

Pair mid-century pendants with wood furniture, simple fabrics and a few bold colours. Over a dining table, hang the bottom 75–90 cm above the tabletop. In a living room with a low ceiling, choose a flatter chandelier or a compact sputnik; for high ceilings see our large chandeliers. Brass versions are collected in modern brass chandeliers.

Made to order, shipped worldwide

Every light on this page is made in our own factory in 20 working days and checked before shipping. Many models can be made in another size, finish or number of arms. See more retro designs in Vintage Lighting. Designers get a 30% trade discount — see lighting for restaurants and hotels.

Frequently asked questions

What size sputnik chandelier do I need?

For a dining table, choose a diameter of about half to two-thirds of the table width. For a living room, add the room length and width in metres and multiply by 10 to get a good diameter in centimetres.

Which bulbs suit mid-century lights?

Warm white LED bulbs of 2700 K. For bare-bulb sputniks, decorative globe or filament bulbs look best; for glass globes, use frosted bulbs to avoid glare.

Can I change the finish?

Many models are available in brass, black, white or chrome. Send us the model and the finish you want, and we will prepare a quote.

Do you ship to the USA and Europe?

Yes, we ship worldwide and confirm delivery time, cost, voltage and plug type for your country before you pay.