Lighting is probably one of the most important elements to decide upon when working on your interiors.
In a contemporary home we can have all sort of light fittings: down lights, surface mounted lights, feature lights, wall mounted lights, etc but regardless of all the technology at your disposal; even to the point where one can’t identify clearly the source of the light; pendant lights (and chandeliers in their sophisticated version) remain the most identifiable light source that appeals to our senses and memory giving us comfort and assurance.
This is why if you gentlemen want to add a personal touch to your space pendant lights are a must.
Now, how to choose them? Here are 5 pointers
Architecture of the space
“Vita”, design: Brian Rasmussen. Lucente
Understanding the interior architecture of your home can give you clues in choosing the right pendant lights. Do you have a Victorian, Georgian, Tudor, Deco or a contemporary ceiling? Trying to replicate the spirit of the period implies that you will need to be very thoughtful as to the dimensions and how the furniture layout and its style will respond to the pendant fitting. For very strong architecture you can either work by contrast or similarity. When choosing by contrast you have a greater range of options but then quality and detailing will be much more noticeable and demanding.
Use the style of your interiors
“Sky-Fall”. Studio Italia Design
This is probably the safer option as the pendant light will fit much more easily when sharing the same language and style of your interiors whether it is sleek contemporary, shabby chic, country, modern, Scandinavian or any other.
Periods that somehow relate to each other like international style and Scandinavian are more tolerant to the mixing of pieces because their lines, colors or shapes work well in both contexts. Same does happen with other styles.
The feel of your interiors
“Riddle”. Bert & Frank
Probably this is the most difficult approach as it relies a lot on the “taste” and “vision” of the designer. It is well known that shapes, colors and materials affect the way we perceive spaces. So if you want to reinforce a feeling of drama, cheerfulness, an austere look, funkiness or romanticism using specific pendant lights design the right outcome of it is going to be achieved thanks to the integration between space, furniture and the fitting itself. It is the right understanding of all those factors that is the key.
Dimensions of the room
“Le-Soleil”, design: Vicente Garcia Jimenez. Foscarini
How many times have we seen pendant lights that are too big or too small for the space? Unfortunately there is not a rule that can tell you what one is the right size for the dimensions of your room. Again “common sense”, good taste and a very clear concept will help you to find the correct one.
If you want to create drama an over dimensioned pendant light can be the answer, whereas if you are choosing the pendant light above your kitchen island the dimension can be chosen according the size/proportions of the island worktop. For spaces/surfaces with contrasted dimensions (very linear for example) the amount of fittings is something that needs to be taken care of as well.
Height of the Ceiling
“Agnes”, design Lindsey Adelman. Roll & Hill
For me this one is one of the few rules that should be always followed in relation to pendant lights: If you do not have enough height please DO NOT use them. Now you can ask what the right height is. I cannot answer that in cm or inches as it depends on many factors but as a general guidance the right height is the one that doesn’t make your pendant look out of place either because it dwarfs the space or because the lead is too short causing a lack of proportion in the general look.
If pendants lights or chandeliers go above dining tables, kitchen islands, bed side tables, Kitchen Island, etc the chances are you can have them as there, generally, is no problem with the height. If you have them in corridors, living rooms, etc. the problem is that you need to be able to walk and not hit your head.
Pendants lights can be extraordinary pieces, the well chosen and installed ones are not just going to look fantastic by themselves but are going to make the space look great as well. It’s then when you know you have got it right.
