A lantern pendant light is a hanging light whose shade glows all over, like a paper or silk lantern, instead of sending light only downwards. The whole shade becomes the light source: it lights the room softly and still sends a gentle pool of light onto the table below. Lantern pendants come in paper, silk, fabric and glass, and in shapes from tall ovals to round globes and flat saucers. This guide compares the materials and gives the real sizes of the lantern pendants we sell, so you can choose the right one for a dining table, a kitchen island, a bedside or a hallway.
What makes a pendant a "lantern"
Three things set a lantern pendant apart from a dome or a cone pendant:
- A translucent shade. Silk, fabric, paper or glass lets the light pass through, so the shade glows rather than staying dark.
- Light in every direction. Light spreads sideways and upwards as well as down, which gives a softer, more even room light.
- A soft, rounded or ribbed form. Ribs, seams or stitched edges draw lines across the glowing shade, in the tradition of Japanese paper lanterns.
If you want a strong, focused light for cooking or reading, a lantern is best paired with another light. If you want a calm glow over a table or in a bedroom, it is the natural choice. For the paper versions, see our paper lantern lamp guide.
Silk, fabric or glass: how each lantern lights a room
- Silk lanterns glow evenly and warmly, with fine ribs tracing lines across the shade. Our Tall Oval Silk Lantern Pendant, Round Silk Globe Pendant and Japanese Silk Oval Pendant Light all work this way.
- Fabric lanterns show the weave of the cloth when lit. The Wavy Fabric Pendant glows a warm golden colour, and a white diffuser underneath sends brighter light onto the table.
- Glass lanterns glow from within and are the easiest to wipe clean. The Ribbed Glass Lantern Pendant comes in a tall or a round shape, in green, white, lilac, blue or clear glass.
For a side-by-side look at the two families, read glass vs fabric pendant lights.
Lantern pendant lights: real sizes
All sizes below come from our product pages. The area lit is the figure given by the manufacturer for one light.
| Lantern | Shade | Size (Ø × H) | Cord | Area lit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tall Oval Silk Lantern | Silk, vertical ribs | 30 × 40 cm (11.8 × 15.7 in) | 150 cm (59 in) | 5–10 m² |
| Round Silk Globe | Silk, black ribs | 25 × 26 cm (9.8 × 10.2 in) | 150 cm (59 in) | 5–10 m² |
| Japanese Silk Oval | Silk, ribs | 40 × 22 cm (15.7 × 8.7 in) or 50 × 28 cm (19.7 × 11 in) | 150 cm (59 in) | 5–10 m² |
| Beige Silk Saucer | Silk, black ribs | 40 × 19, 50 × 24 or 60 × 33 cm (15.7 × 7.5, 19.7 × 9.4 or 23.6 × 13 in) | 150 cm (59 in) | 5–10 m² |
| Wavy Fabric Pendant | Textured fabric | 45 × 20, 55 × 25 or 60 × 27 cm (17.7 × 7.9, 21.7 × 9.8 or 23.6 × 10.6 in) | 150 cm (59.1 in), adjustable | 5–10 m² |
| Ribbed Glass Lantern | Ribbed glass | Tall 14 × 30 cm (5.5 × 11.8 in); round 25 × 23 cm (9.8 × 9.1 in) | Up to 180 cm (70.9 in) | Not stated |
Want the lantern look on a wall instead? The Japanese Kraft Paper Cube Wall Lamp (20 × 23 cm, 7.9 × 9.1 in) glows through stitched kraft paper.
How many lanterns, and which size? A worked guide
We use the same working rules as in our dining table lights guide: a shade no wider than two-thirds of the table, about 15 cm (6 in) of margin at each end of a row, and about 20 cm (8 in) between shades.
- Round dining table, 90 cm (35 in): two-thirds is 60 cm, so one Japanese Silk Oval Ø 50 cm or a Beige Silk Saucer Ø 50 cm fits; Ø 60 cm is the upper limit.
- Row of 3 tall Ribbed Glass Lanterns: 3 × 14 + 2 × 20 + 2 × 15 = 112 cm. It suits a kitchen island of about 115 cm (45 in) or longer.
- Row of 3 Tall Oval Silk Lanterns: 3 × 30 + 2 × 20 + 2 × 15 = 160 cm. It suits an island or table of about 160 cm (63 in) or longer.
- Room size: each silk lantern is rated for 5–10 m², so a 15 m² bedroom needs about two (one by each side of the bed with the Round Silk Globe, for example), and a 20 m² living room two to four.
- Cord check: with a 250 cm (98 in) ceiling and the base of the shade about 75–90 cm above a 75 cm table, the base sits 150–165 cm from the floor. A 150 cm cord covers that comfortably for every lantern in the table.
Shop every silk and fabric lantern in our Fabric & Silk Pendant Lights collection, or see all pendant lights and our kitchen island pendant lights.
Frequently asked questions
Are lantern pendant lights bright enough for a kitchen?
They give a soft, even glow rather than a focused beam. Over a kitchen island, hang a row of two or three, or pair a lantern with spotlights or under-cabinet light for food preparation.
Which lantern pendant is easiest to clean?
Glass. The Ribbed Glass Lantern wipes clean with a soft cloth. Silk and fabric shades need dusting with a soft brush or a vacuum on low; see our lamp shade cleaning guide.
Can I choose the light colour?
Yes, on the silk and fabric lanterns: warm, neutral or cool white is chosen with the Light option. They are not dimmable. The Ø 50 and 60 cm sizes are made to order and take 4 to 6 weeks to arrive.
