Glass and fabric are the two most common shade materials for pendant lights, and they light a room in opposite ways. A glass shade lets light pass straight through, so the bulb and the shape of the glass stay visible and the light is brighter and crisper. A fabric or silk shade diffuses the light, so the whole shade glows and the room gets a softer, warmer light. This guide compares the two with the real sizes of our pendant lights.
Glass vs fabric pendant lights at a glance
| Glass pendant | Fabric or silk pendant | |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Passes through: brighter, sharper, can sparkle (ribbed, crystal) | Diffused: the shade glows, softer and more even |
| Glare | Clear glass shows the bulb; frosted or milk glass hides it | Bulb hidden behind the fabric |
| Typical size in our range | Ø 14 to 30 cm: small, often hung in groups | Ø 25 to 65 cm: larger, often a single statement shade |
| Best rooms | Kitchen island, dining table in a row, hallway | Bedroom, living room, dining table as a single shade |
| Cleaning | Wipe; tolerates a damp cloth | Dust only; fabric marks and absorbs grease |
| Weak point | Can break in transit or if knocked | Not ideal right above a hob |
Real sizes: our glass and fabric pendants
All sizes come from our product pages.
| Product | Material | Size | Cord or cable | Room size stated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ribbed Glass Lantern Pendant | Ribbed glass | 14 × 30 cm (tall) or 25 × 23 cm (round) | Up to 180 cm | Not stated |
| Scalloped Glass Globe Pendant | Glass | Ø 30 × H 31 cm | Not stated | Not stated |
| Crystal Globe Pendant Light | Glass, crystal | Dome Ø 15 cm, crystal Ø 8 cm | 150 and 120 cm | 10–15 m² |
| Round Silk Globe Pendant | Silk | Ø 25 × H 26 cm | 150 cm | 5–10 m² |
| Tall Oval Silk Lantern Pendant | Silk | Ø 30 × H 40 cm | 150 cm | 5–10 m² |
| Beige Silk Saucer Pendant | Silk | Ø 40 × H 19 to Ø 60 × H 33 cm | 150 cm | 5–10 m² |
| Wavy Fabric Pendant | Fabric | Ø 45 × H 20 to Ø 60 × H 27 cm | 150 cm | 5–10 m² |
| Hand-Knitted Cloth Pendant | Knitted fabric | Ø 45 × H 32 to Ø 65 × H 40 cm | 120 cm | 10–15 m² |
Which one for your room
Kitchen island: usually glass
Glass wipes clean, which matters near cooking, and small glass shades work in a row. Worked example with the common rule of about 15 cm clear at each end of the island and 20 cm between shades: three Scalloped Glass Globe Pendants (Ø 30 cm) need 3 × 30 + 2 × 20 + 2 × 15 = 160 cm of island length. Three tall Ribbed Glass Lanterns (14 cm wide) need only 3 × 14 + 2 × 20 + 2 × 15 = 112 cm. More in kitchen island pendant lights and glass pendant lights.
Bedroom and living room: usually fabric
A silk or fabric shade gives the soft, glowing light that suits rooms where you relax, and it hides the bulb when you look up from the bed or sofa. A Beige Silk Saucer Pendant in Ø 60 cm or a Hand-Knitted Cloth Pendant in Ø 65 cm can light the room on its own. See silk and fabric pendant lights.
Dining table: either
One large fabric shade gives a single soft pool of light; a row of glass globes gives brighter light along a long table. A common guide is a shade no wider than about two-thirds of the table width: on a 90 cm table, that is up to 60 cm, so a Ø 60 cm silk saucer fits as a single light. See dining table lights.
Frequently asked questions
Which gives more light, glass or fabric?
With the same bulb, clear glass lets more light through, while fabric softens and spreads it. Our product pages state a room size rather than a lumen figure for most pendants, for example 5–10 m² for the silk pendants and 10–15 m² for the Crystal Globe Pendant Light.
Can I use a fabric pendant in a kitchen?
Yes over a dining area or an island away from the hob, but fabric absorbs grease over time. Dust it regularly; our guide on how to clean lamp shades explains how for each material.
Can I mix glass and fabric pendants in one room?
Yes. A common mix is glass over the island and one fabric shade over the dining table, each lighting its own zone.
Browse our fabric and silk pendant lights, kitchen island pendant lights and all pendant lights, or read types of lamp shades.
