Proper mounting height for pendant lighting in the kitchen

Pendant lights are perfect for the kitchen.  A pendant light is a single bulb light that hangs from a long chain, rope, or tube.  They can be very decorative to add a little excitement to a sometimes dull room and they offer pinpointed light which can be very helpful when working on specific items in the kitchen.  They also are thin and can be placed in corners or other out of the way spots without being obtrusive.  Even though these lights are awesome in any kitchen, it can be confusing when trying to decide how high they need to be mounted. 

Before one decides how high he or she wishes to mount the light, he or she should be sure and select the right location.  The way to select the location is to consider the purpose for getting a pendant light in the kitchen.  People who are getting one because they need the lighting in a specific area should install the light directly over that area.  Those who are just needing to install the pendant light for extra light should pick a spot that is in a dark corner or central to the kitchen.

Many people hang pendant lights over a kitchen island.  Those who are mounting a pendant light over a kitchen island must mount it at least 30 inches above that island.  If it is too low, the occupants will find themselves hitting the light while working.  The light also should not be higher than 50 inches above the island because if it is too high the lighting will not be adequate.   The only exception is if the light is particularly large.  Larger lights can be hung higher because they offer more light.  Also, larger lights are better to hang a little higher because the large size can overwhelm the room.  Pendant lights that are needed to shed light on a specific area in the kitchen for the purpose of being able to see what is being done, should be installed as low as possible unless they are very large.  The closer the pendant light is to the island or other surface, the easier it will be to see the work being done. 

Always make sure that the wiring is done properly before installing a pendant light.  Faulty wiring can cause fires and power outages.  When in doubt, get an electrician to do the wiring.  When installing pendant lights that hang lower, warn children to be cautious around the lights.  Children are very talented at breaking low hanging pendant lights. 

Pendant lights are awesome features in a kitchen.  They can direct light to a specific spot and they look nice.  Pendant lights can either have a very modern look or a very elegant and classic look.  They are also versatile as they can be mounted to hang higher or lower depending upon the need and aesthetics of the room.  For those looking for extra lighting in the kitchen, pendant lights are an excellent option.