Pendant lights over a kitchen island have two jobs: they light the worktop and they are the fixture everyone sees when they walk into the room. Four questions come up every time: how many, how high, how far apart and what size. This guide gives the rules of thumb commonly used by lighting retailers and designers, in inches and in centimetres.
How many pendant lights over a kitchen island?
A common rule of thumb is one pendant for about every 2 feet (61 cm) of island length. In practice that usually means two pendants over a shorter island and three over a longer one. One wide pendant can also light an island on its own when its diameter is in proportion to the worktop.
| Island length | Pendants by the 2-foot rule |
|---|---|
| 4 ft (122 cm) | 2 |
| 6 ft (183 cm) | 3 |
| 8 ft (244 cm) | 4, or 3 larger pendants |
How high should pendant lights hang above an island?
The guideline given most often is 30 to 36 inches (76 to 91 cm) between the worktop and the bottom of the pendant. That keeps the fixture out of the line of sight across the island while keeping the light close to the surface. Pendants with an adjustable cord make this easy to set on installation day.
How far apart should the pendants be?
A common spacing is 24 to 30 inches (61 to 76 cm) from the centre of one pendant to the centre of the next, with the first and last pendants at least 6 inches (15 cm) in from each end of the island. Centre the row on the island, not on the room.
What size pendant over an island?
One rule of thumb for a single pendant is the island width minus 12 inches (30 cm): this gives the maximum diameter. For a row of pendants, smaller shades work better, so that the spacing above still fits.
Pendant lights from our collection, by size
Small pendants for a row of two or three
- Travertine Stone Pendant Light: shade Ø 15 cm (5.9 in), cord adjustable up to 180 cm.
- Travertine Walnut Pendant Light: Ø 17 cm (6.7 in), cord 170 cm, adjustable.
- Small Glazed Ceramic Pendant: shade 14 cm wide, cord 150 cm.
- Small Colourful Glass Drum Pendant: glass Ø 15 cm (5.9 in), cord 190 cm, adjustable.
- Ribbed Glass Lantern Pendant: tall lantern 14 × 30 cm, cord up to 180 cm.
Medium pendants
- Ribbed Fluted Glass Pendant: shade Ø 31 cm (12.2 in), cord 150 cm, adjustable.
- Crystal Globe Pendant Light: two lights from one canopy, dome Ø 15 cm, cords 150 cm and 120 cm, adjustable.
Wide pendants, one over the island
- Beige Silk Saucer Pendant: Ø 40, 50 or 60 cm, cord 150 cm.
- White Silk Saucer Pendant: Ø 40, 50 or 60 cm, cord 150 cm.
- Brown Silk Saucer Pendant: 40, 50 or 60 cm wide, 1.5 m drop.
- Layered Rattan Pendant: Ø 40, 50, 60 or 80 cm. See our rattan pendant lights guide for the minimum island width of each size.
See the full kitchen island pendant lights collection.
For style inspiration, from mixed glass colours to mini stone pendants, see our kitchen island lighting ideas, with the minimum island size for each look.
Glass or fabric over the worktop? Our guide to glass vs fabric pendant lights compares light, cleaning and real sizes. For the table side of an open-plan kitchen, see dining table lights.
Frequently asked questions
How many pendant lights over an 8 ft island?
By the rule of one pendant for about every 2 feet of island, an 8 ft island takes up to four small pendants, or three larger ones.
How high should pendant lights be above a kitchen island?
The guideline given most often is 30 to 36 inches (76 to 91 cm) between the worktop and the bottom of the pendant.
How far apart should pendant lights be over an island?
A common spacing is 24 to 30 inches (61 to 76 cm) from centre to centre, with at least 6 inches (15 cm) between the end of the island and the centre of the first pendant.
Should pendant lights be centred on the kitchen island?
Yes. The row of pendants is normally centred on the island itself, both along its length and across its width.
