How to use pendant lighting to style your kitchen island

Pendant lighting has become a staple of modern designer kitchens. Whether a single light hangs above the whole room or a strip of pendant lighting illuminates a dining table, they’re used to make a statement and add an aspect of contemporary design to the space. If you’re thinking of using pendant lighting to illuminate a kitchen island (as you may have seen done in our designer kitchen showroom) we’ve put together our top tips to ensure you style them correctly.

A single statement piece, or the more the merrier?

If you’re illuminating a kitchen island, the first thing to consider is how many lights you want; one, or several? One large light is a popular choice for those wanting to make a bold statement, whilst multiple smaller lights can bring a more delicate look. They’ll still be a focal point of your space, but they’ll be less of a prominent centrepiece. If you have a large island, you may be able to have two, or even three, large pendant lights hanging at intervals, but if you want our advice, generally these larger statement lights work best on their own.

Size does matter

You need to consider the size of your kitchen when choosing the perfect style of light. In a kitchen where space is at more of a premium, a large statement light can become too overwhelming and actually make your room appear smaller. At the same time, too many small lights can seem cluttered and crowded, having the same effect. You need to ensure that the style you choose doesn’t take over your entire space, but instead compliments it. In larger kitchens, you’ll have more freedom with size, but you should consider how large your island is. A small island paired with a huge light can look off-balance!

Consider your style

If you have a rustic, English cottage inspired kitchen, an industrial string of lights will probably look a little out of place. This is why it’s so important to consider your style when choosing your light, ensuring it fits the current aesthetic of your space. Look at the colours you have in your kitchen to see if there’s any you could bring out by matching the tone on your light, and the style of your pendant lighting should be in-keeping with the rest of your space.

Make sure it measures up

Before installing your pendant lighting, ensure you’ve properly measured your space. Pinpoint the spot where your light will hang down from and how low it should hang. Ideally, the bottom of the light should be no closer than 30 inches to the island surface to prevent it getting in the way.

Choosing pendant lighting is an exciting task, but to achieve that stylish, contemporary look you have to be sure to get it right! For more lighting inspiration, feel free to look at our designer kitchens or pop into our designer kitchen showroom. Our designers will love to help you start to pick out a few options to show off your kitchen island!