Great ways to showcase your pendant lamp

Pia Seidel

25.1.2024

Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson

Interior design should stimulate the senses. To achieve this, you might need to take the occasional risk. By hanging a lamp a little lower than usual, for example.

«You can never be too bold, only too boring» – said product designer Gabriela Chicherio in an interview about choosing colours for interior spaces. I believe the same applies to how you place furniture and light sources. I’ve noticed that people tend to hang pendant lights close to the ceiling – in spite of their name suggesting they should be hung low so they can swing back and forth. What’s more, pendant lamps simply look better when they’re closer to the floor. But how low should you go with your pendant lamp? It all depends on what the lamp is meant to achieve.

Above a table

A lamp should be suspended at around 60 and 80 centimetres above your table top. At this height, you should have plenty of light on the dining table and, depending on the size of the lamp, some beyond. Installed at this height, the lamp won’t be getting in the eyes of the people seated around the table. The situation’s similar if you install a ceiling light above a desk. Position the lamp at eye level when you’re standing and you’ll be able to see underneath it when you’re sat. It won’t be in your field of vision.

Above chests of drawers, pedestals or shelves

There are areas where the rules are less rigid. You hang your pendant lamp as low as you want if it’s above storage furniture. Unless you’re putting it up next to a bed. In that case, similar rules apply as with the dining table. Hang the lamp above the side table so you can see a soft light out of the corner of your eye.

In a corner

It’s rare for corners of a room to be highlighted. And yet, with the right lamps, they can stand out just as much as the middle of a room. Seeing that you probably don’t spend much time in corners and alcoves, lamps turn into true eye-catchers if they’re suspended extra low in these areas.

Above a sofa

As with storage furniture, there’s not much you need to look out for when it comes to light sources above the sofa. The only thing you want to avoid is positioning a lamp in a way that’ll have you bump into it when you get up. Play it safe by hanging the pendant lamp over a coffee table or stool. This clearly defines the area you shouldn’t enter and also adds a stylish touch.

Pia Seidel

Senior Editor

Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.ch

Like a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.

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