A common guideline is to hang a pendant light so that the bottom of the shade sits 75 to 90 cm (30 to 36 in) above the surface of the kitchen island. At that height the light falls on the worktop, and the shade stays above the eye line of someone standing at the island. This guide explains how to turn that guideline into a cord length for your own kitchen.
The guideline in numbers
A standard kitchen worktop is about 90 cm (36 in) high. Adding 75 to 90 cm puts the bottom of the pendant at roughly 165 to 180 cm (66 to 72 in) from the floor.
| Measure | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Gap between worktop and bottom of pendant | 75 to 90 cm | 30 to 36 in |
| Bottom of pendant from the floor, with a 90 cm worktop | 165 to 180 cm | 66 to 72 in |
It is a guideline, not a rule. In a household of tall people, use the upper end of the range. With a wide shade that would block the view across the island, do the same.
How to work out the cord length you need
Take your ceiling height and subtract the height at which the bottom of the pendant should sit. What is left is the total drop: canopy, cord and shade together.
- Ceiling at 240 cm, pendant bottom at 170 cm: total drop of 70 cm.
- Ceiling at 270 cm, pendant bottom at 170 cm: total drop of 100 cm.
- Ceiling at 300 cm, pendant bottom at 170 cm: total drop of 130 cm.
Check that the cord of the pendant is at least as long as the drop you need, minus the height of the shade. A cord that is too long can be shortened at installation; a cord that is too short cannot be extended as easily.
For the basics (what a pendant light is, the main types and the steps to hang one), see what is a pendant light.
Cord lengths of six pendants for kitchen islands
| Pendant | Shade size | Cord |
|---|---|---|
| Travertine Stone Pendant Light | Ø 15 × H 11 cm | up to 180 cm, adjustable |
| Travertine Walnut Pendant Light | Ø 17 cm | 170 cm, adjustable |
| White Silk Saucer Pendant | Ø 40, 50 or 60 cm | 150 cm |
| Beige Silk Saucer Pendant | Ø 40, 50 or 60 cm | 150 cm |
| Crystal Globe Pendant Light | dome Ø 15 cm, crystal shade Ø 8 cm | 150 cm and 120 cm, adjustable |
| Small Glazed Ceramic Pendant | 14 cm wide, 6 cm tall | 150 cm |
Spacing between several pendants
Small pendants are usually hung in a row of two or three. A common approach is to space them evenly along the island, leaving a similar gap between each shade and from the last shade to each end of the worktop. One wide pendant, such as a 60 cm silk saucer, can be centred over the island on its own. Our guide to kitchen island pendant lights covers how many pendants to use and what size.
Looking for a style rather than a height? Our kitchen island lighting ideas show seven looks, from a row of glass lanterns to one wide silk saucer, with the minimum island size for each.
Frequently asked questions
How high should pendant lights be above a kitchen island?
A common guideline is 75 to 90 cm (30 to 36 in) between the worktop and the bottom of the shade.
How far from the floor is that?
With a 90 cm worktop, the bottom of the pendant sits at roughly 165 to 180 cm (66 to 72 in) from the floor.
Can the cord be adjusted?
It depends on the model. The cord length and whether it is adjustable are listed on each product page.
See all models in our kitchen island pendant lights collection.
