Ultimate Guide Kitchen Island Pendant Light Height, Size and Spacing
Are you wondering how high to hang your kitchen island pendant lighting? Or trying to determine how many pendants to hang, the overall size, and spacing?
Luckily, I’ve written all about what height to hang lights but in this tutorial we will focus specifically on how to choose kitchen island lighting.
I’ll teach you how to space pendant lights and how high to hang them from the counter and floor too!
Plus I’ll share a trick on determining what size pendant light will look perfect over your kitchen island and how many pendants are typical based on your island size.
Pendant lighting is an important light fixture in the kitchen. It will be your task lighting closest to the counter.
Kitchen island lighting will also help balance overhead recessed lighting (can lights), so it’s important to get the kitchen island light height, size and placement correct.
Want to know a secret? Using the kitchen ceiling height should only be used to calculate the light fixture wiring length for hanging.
The ceiling height shouldn’t be your starting point for determining pendant light height, when hanging pendants. I’ll show you why in this guide on how to measure for kitchen island pendants.
Pendant Light Size Should be Based on the Kitchen Island Size
If you haven’t noticed, kitchen pendant lights have gotten a LOT larger. Lighting over a kitchen island is becoming a home decor statement, focal point, and more than just task lighting.
Now that kitchen islands and kitchen pendants have gotten larger, it is even more important to know how to choose the right diameter light.
Check out: Ultimate Guide to Updating an Outdated Kitchen
When I moved into my home 14 years ago, kitchen island pendant lights were much smaller. So at the time, I chose 10 inch diameter pendants.
In the last couple of years, they started looking too small so I decided to size up to 24 inch diameter kitchen island pendants.
For my 8 ft by 5ft kitchen island, they were the perfect kitchen island pendant lighting option!
To MAKE SURE they were going to perfect, I came up with a simple trick to determine they were the right size and hung the right height over the island.
The spacing was already pre-determined for my two pendant lights, so I’ll share how I determined the spacing while I was building my home that you can use for your home as well!
It’s time to get out your tape measure and map out your kitchen island Length x Width x Height.
If it’s a new build or renovation, then get out those kitchen plans!
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By the time you finish this tutorial and video you’ll know exactly how to determine what size and height pendant lights will look perfect in your kitchen!
NOTE: THE kitchen island tutorial images and video were taken prior to my most recent kitchen remodel and family room updates. See what’s possible! I’ve changed over the years too 🙂
GREAT UPDATE: How-to Convert Old Under Cabinet Lights to LED
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Kitchen Island Pendant Light Height, Size and Spacing
How to determine the best size pendant light for your kitchen island, proper spacing, and how high to hang the pendant lights off of the counter.
Materials
- Kitchen Island Pendant Lights
Instructions
Step 1: Measure Island Width
- Measure the total width of the kitchen island and write it down on a piece of paper. Mine is 5ft. wide.
Step 2: Measure Island Length
- Here we will cover how to measure and plan for two pendant lights. I'll address how to calculate pendant lights for three hanging lights.
- Measure the total length of the kitchen island and write it down on the same paper. Mine is an 8 foot island.
Step 3: Determine Pendant Size Options
- Use these measurements to find a pendant light that is to the correct scale of your kitchen island.
- It's best to draw out the size of the island on a piece of graph paper to get a general ideal of scale and then draw the pendants.
- For two kitchen island hanging lights, a basic rule of thumb is to use approximately 25% of the length of the island to find the right sized pendant.
- My island is 8ft or 96 inches long. I searched for a 24 inch / 2 ft diameter or square pendant.
- If you have a 5ft or 60 inch long island, and ideal pendant would be no larger than a 15 inch diameter or square pendant.
- Here is an example using a 5ft island by 3ft and due to the narrow 3ft width, I chose a 12 inch diameter pendant.
- Currently have or want to hang three pendant lights? The size of the light fixture will DECREASE.
- Typically, you would only step up to 3 lights over an island larger than 5 ft. The light fixture diameter would be cut in half to between 10 and 12 inches in diameter.
Step 4: Test Size of Pendant Using Wrapping Paper
- This is the truly fool proof way to test the size visually in your kitchen. Lay a cutout of the size on your actual island.
- Now if you are renovating or building, use painter's tape to layout the island on the floor and place the cut outs to get an idea of scale.
- I love using grid backed wrapping paper for these tests. Just mark the size of the pendant (even if it is round you can use a square to test cutout).
- Cut out the paper to size.
- Lay on the island or island area and look at how it fits on the width.
- Then see how it looks on the longest side.
- Make sure you have enough room all the way around the edges of the island.
- TIP: Hang the pendant about 8 to 12 inches in from each end of the island, so they don't hang too close to the end.
Step 5: Determine Hanging Width and Spacing of Pendants
- How far apart you hang the pendants apart can vary.
- If you have two pendant lights, typically you will hang them somewhere between 24 inches to 30 inches apart depending on the total length of your island.
- My pendants are hung just over 24 inches apart and set in 12 inches in from the edge of the ends of the island.
- If you have three pendant lights, the spacing changes.
- In this example, I used the same 8 foot island and pushed the 12 inch pendants in the same amount from the edges as the larger fixtures.
- Want to hang a linear light over your kitchen island? Use the same basic math, so the linear light would be about 50% of the total length of the island. That leaves 2 ft on either end on an 8 foot island. MAX width of a linear light would be 2/3 of the length or 64 inches.
- It's ALL about scale and why that wrapping paper comes in handy to test how it will feel hanging.
Step 6: Determine Hanging Height of Pendants
- The truth is to determine the height to hang a pendant light you need to start with the measurement from the floor!
- MOST island counters are typically 36 inches from the floor.
- However, that is the least important measurement but instead just used to add to the total height.
- The reality you want to hang a pendant light high enough off of the FLOOR, so when a person stands at the island they don't look directly into the light bulbs of the fixture.
- Typically, kitchen pendant lights (at their lowest point) are hung about 32 inches to 36 inches above the counter.
- CRITICAL you need to take the total measurement from the floor. That means to the bottom of the pendant.
- The ideal height is about 69 to 72 inches from the floor to the base of the pendant.
- You want to avoid people looking into the light bulbs. I have 10ft ceilings and went up the full 6ft or 72 inches.
- Here is an example using the smaller island, smaller pendants, and only a 9 ft ceiling.
Notes
IMPORTANT: When shopping for kitchen island pendants always take into consideration your island size, height, and ceiling height.
- Different shapes and sizes will look better over larger and smaller islands.
- Open concept homes and larger kitchens can accommodate larger pendants.
- If you have an enclosed kitchen, a smaller pendant may look better in the space so it doesn't consume too much visual space.
- An open lantern or modern arm style pendant will block the least amount of visual space in any kitchen.
Click the volume button to unmute the video sound!
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Landree Collection 5-Light Luxe Chandelier Light Silver Ridge -
Hallmark All Occasion Wrapping Paper Bundle with Cut Lines on Reverse, Solids & Patterns—Birthday, Holiday, Wedding (Pack of 6, 180 sq. ft. ttl.)
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Stanley Tools 33-725 25-Feet FatMax Tape Measure
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Progress Lighting P4618-09 Traditional/Formal 6-60W Cand Chandelier, 97" x 24" x 22.375", Brushed Nickel
Shop for On Trend Kitchen Island Pendants
Now that you are feeling confident about choosing the right pendant light for over your kitchen island it’s time to go shopping!
The hot new trend is to hang linear lighting over a kitchen island or table.
SHOP Linear Lighting
SHOP Cone Lights
SHOP Lantern Lights
I hope you’ve found something that inspires you and you are excited not scared to choose a kitchen pendant light for over your kitchen island!
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Porch Daydreamer
Tracey
Hi Tracey! I have a question that I can’t find the answer to anywhere… My island will be 134″ overall in length, but will have two different widths. One end will be narrower (27″) with a cooktop and then there will be a bump out to 36″ for the rest of the island. So one part will be about 54″x27″, the rest 80″x36″. My dilemma is where to put lighting! The wider part will have seating (no seating near the cooktop). My kitchen designer thinks I should put hanging lights only above the wider part where stools will go, with no fixture above the cooktop area. I’m wondering if that will look off balance? The bump out will give the island two visually different widths, so maybe it makes sense? Not sure! What are you thoughts? Thank you! 🙂
Hi, Ellen! That’s a tough one and hard for me to picture. Will there be a recessed light above the cooktop? That was my first thought that you need some task lighting. I’d trust your designer to guide you and it sounds like you can choose some serious statement pendants due to the size that will cast a lot of light over the largest portion of the island. Hope that helps and good luck!
Hi! I’ll be having a 5×5 ft square island so im thinking one large pendant would work best. Is there a rule of thumb for scale such as 50% of the island covered by the pendant or 33%?
Hi, Amber! I think you are on the right track with your thoughts! I’d say no larger than 50% and no smaller than 1/3 (33%) of the island. As you find light fixtures you like, use the wrapping paper test to see how it fits 🙂
I have granite counters from remodel 15 years ago. Would larger (new style) pendants be okay without updating counters? Thoughts?
Thanks, Diane
Absolutely! I had granite and updated mine 🙂
Hello Tracey,
I know you can’t give specific advice as you’ve clearly written a number of times above – hahaha (I guess people don’t read the details?), but I wanted to know if I’ve interpreted your tips correctly.
I also read some different advice, and wanted to know if you have any ‘generic’ thoughts on that? No pressure if you can’t! Below are my measurements based on your tips, as well as 2 comments I found online (it’s impossible to find tips for the suspended linear rod light fixtures!?!). Our ceilings are 15′ tall (180″). These are the limited suggestions for hanging linear/rod lights:
1. Don’t use a linear light fixture longer than 75% of the total island length (e.g. my island is 99” long, so I shouldn’t use a fixture longer than 74.25”). However, I also read that you shouldn’t use any fixture longer than 31″ on an 8 foot island? It’s only an 8 foot island, so I don’t want to overpower it, but I also don’t want the fixture to look too short.
2. So, I took your advice, and went in 12” from each edge of my island, leaving 75” of remaining island space. That seems to be consistent with suggestion #1, but I don’t understand the 31” max length rule?
3. I can’t find any other sizing guides, other than for pendant lights (like your amazing guide). I guess I’ll use a piece of wood, and see how it looks at 31″ long and 74″ long! I am going to suspend our linear light fixture 3 feet above the island slab exactly (74” up from the ground because our island is 38” tall + 36” off the island slab). That will require that I find a fixture with 106″ of cable from the ceiling to the light rod. I hope I can find one! 🙂
I hope my interpretation sounds accurate (I’m pretty sleep deprived trying to finish our house build, so forgive any obvious misses).
Thanks!
Syma
Hi, Syma! Wow, you’ve got a lot on your plate with this build 🙂 So I think you are asking about the total width that your linear light should be over the island? I like working in 3rds because visually it works. If you divide your island in 3, that is 33 inches. Double that to get the general max width of the fixture = 66 inches. That leaves 16.5 inches in from the edge of the counter. Hope that helps!
Hi Tracey,
Tysm for this great article. Just to clarify, are you saying that for an island that’s only 36 inch deep, you can’t have a pendant deeper than 12 inches? my island is 36 inch by 122 inch. I was hoping to do two pendants of 21 inch each. would you recommend doing three pendants of 12 inch each instead?
ty again!!
You are welcome! I am not able to give you specific advice, since this is a guide. Do the wrapping paper trick I recommend and see how it feels with a 21 inch size over 36 inches.
My island is 3 x 5 and I’m thinking about a single pendant because there is already a flush mount light on the ceiling in the middle of the island. You were showing what size if you were using two pendants, so what size if I’m only using one?
Since it is only one, you can go larger. Use the wrapping paper trick to test the size 🙂
(I need help) I’m building a new home with 10’ ceilings. My kitchen is open to living and breakfast area. I have a high bar that is 14 ft. Long and 16” wide. I am torn between using the large Hudson Valley Coltrane 8 Light Pendant, 15″(L) x 15″(W) x 28.5″ or the small one 10″(L)x10″(W) 19.25″(H) and is 2 enough? Please help me.
I’m sorry, I can’t give specific advice for your project. Use the paper trick to see how they will fit over the bar and which you prefer.
My island is 3×5 so I was happy to see that’s what you used in your examples but then I realized your drawings are actually 3×6. Hoping the 14” diameter pendants (serena and lily headlands pendant in the small size) I ordered end up working out. Our kitchen is very open and the ceilings are vaulted with skylights so I think I’ll be fine.
They should! Never realized my graphic was wrong 🙂 I’ll need to fix that, but the math is correct.
This is really helpful.
Can you please help me double check.
The ceilings are 9 feet tall. Counter is about 7ft L by 3ft W and 3ft tall.
Pendents are 17” square by 24.5 h
Can these work? How low should they hang?
Hey, Sandy! Sorry, but I can’t give you specific advise for your home. It sounds like you are on the right track and follow the guidance on hanging height from the floor.
I saved your article on Pinterest and then used it during my kitchen remodel 2 days ago. Luckily, one of the people working in our home was 6’2″, which prevented me wanting to lower the pendants 2″. Thanks for writing the article!
I’m so glad it helped! It’s funny I refer to this post too, when hanging lights as a refresher 🙂
This is a great video! Is there a guideline on how high the actual pendants should be? My island will be 9.5 feet by 4.5 feet wide. I’m debating on whether lantern pendants that measure 19” by 29” will be too tall. Our ceiling will be 11 feet. I’d really appreciate any thoughts you might have! Thanks!!
You have enough height with 11 ft ceilings that you probably can handle 29″. I just installed new ones that were 22″ high and my ceilings are 10 ft and they look great 🙂
My Apartment kitchen is like a cave. It has 2 can lights in the ceiling that are in the wrong place to do any good at the counter; the counter is always in shadow as the lights are placed to far back. I was thinking of doing a tenant upgrade. I can’t do electrical work but I have seen conversion kits to make can lights into pendant lights. Do you think I will get substantially more light on the counter? If yes, how do I decide what type of pendant light to get? How far down from the ceiling should I hang them. No matter the size, there is plenty of room for cabinet & fridge doors to open. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Lighting stores have been -0- help. Thank you.
Ilene, I think that is a great idea to upgrade the can light to a fixture. I’ve used this kit (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/39n3lSp to change a can to a fixture in my office (https://porchdaydreamer.com/man-cave-update-reveal/) and it was fairly easy to install. Please read the tutorial on how to measure the hanging height and determine pendant size as I go into it in detail or watch the video. The hanging measurement is first determined from the counter up. The size is dependent on the space you have. Good luck!