How high to hang a pendant light, and what size to choose.

Teileter Lighting · September 12, 2026

Over a kitchen island or dining table, hang a pendant so the bottom of the shade is 76–91 cm (30–36 in) above the surface. Space pendants about 60–75 cm (24–30 in) apart, centre to centre, with each end light about 30 cm (12 in) in from the end of the island. Over a nightstand, the bottom of the shade usually sits 50–60 cm (20–24 in) above the top. For ceilings higher than 2.4 m (8 ft), raise the pendant about 7.5 cm (3 in) for every extra 30 cm (1 ft) of ceiling height.

Height and spacing at a glance

Where	Bottom of the shade	Good to know
Kitchen island	76–91 cm (30–36 in) above the worktop	Space lights 60–75 cm (24–30 in) apart, centre to centre
Dining table	76–91 cm (30–36 in) above the table	One larger shade, or a pair over a long table
Bedside	50–60 cm (20–24 in) above the nightstand	One on each side, centred over the nightstand
Hallway or open floor	At least 2.1 m (7 ft) above the floor	Leave enough headroom to walk under

Shade size and how to use it

Shade width	How to use it	From our collection
Under 13 cm (5 in)	In pairs or trios, or one each side of a bed	A809 (6.5 cm), A812 (6.5 cm), A804 (11 cm), A801 (12 cm)
15–20 cm (6–8 in)	Alone over a small table, or a pair over an island	A805 (15 cm), A811 (17 cm), A810 (20 cm), A817 (20 cm)
25 cm (10 in) and up	Alone over a dining table or a small island	A823 (25 cm), HX2652 (25 cm)

How many pendants for your island?

Island length	Number of lights
Up to 120 cm (4 ft)	1 larger shade, or 2 small ones
120–180 cm (4–6 ft)	2 lights, or 3 small shades
180–240 cm (6–8 ft)	3 lights
Over 240 cm (8 ft)	3–4 lights, or 2 larger shades

Teileter Lighting · September 12, 2026

Light and proportion begin with the room.

Light and proportion work together when a pendant meets the furniture, ceiling and open space around it. A light may feel compact in isolation yet become dominant beside a chair, table or low ceiling. Begin by identifying the surfaces and sightlines that will frame it.

Read the negative space.

Leave enough visual space around a sculptural shade for its silhouette to remain clear. Light and proportion should feel balanced from both seated and standing positions.

Check every viewing height.

Consider glare, shade depth and the visibility of the light source as your viewpoint moves. Use the product collection to compare confirmed dimensions.

For a more useful enquiry

Share the room dimensions, intended placement, ceiling height, nearby furniture and destination market.

Back to the journal

Plan before you order

Map the surface, not just the ceiling.

A full-size paper outline can help you judge a shade in daylight before committing to a row of lights. Keep it clear of any live fitting, bulb or heat source.

Record the usable surface. Note the island or table length and width, nearby cabinets, doors and walking routes.
Mark the viewing positions. Compare the proposed shade from both seated and standing viewpoints, without assuming a single hanging height suits every room.
Lay out the centres. For a straight, evenly spaced row of two or more lights, centre spacing = (surface length − 2 × end offset) ÷ (number of lights − 1). Use the same units throughout.
Check the actual fitting. Compare body diameter, suspension range, canopy and mounting information with the plan. Final positions and clearances require installer approval.

Layout example only: on a 180 cm (71 in) island, three lights set 30 cm (12 in) in from each end would sit 60 cm (24 in) apart. This shows the geometry only; your electrician will confirm the final positions.

Compare pendant dimensions Add the room plan to your brief

Not sure about the height? Try our pendant height calculator.