The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in any home, especially in the eyes of those shopping for a new home. Kitchen staging is, therefore, extremely important. To be most effective, a home seller has to look beyond the cabinets and counters and wall colours though, to the look and function of the space as a whole, especially the way it is lit. Even the best kitchen can come across as unappealing if it’s dim and poorly lit.
Pendant lamps are a popular addition to kitchens everywhere these days and, if a seller finds that their kitchen is a little dark in places they can provide a quick staging fix with ease. Pendant lamps are usually a single light, suspended form the ceiling by a rod or a chain. They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes and are often the perfect – and relatively easy – way to add much needed task lighting to the kitchen as well as visual interest.
Going Modern and Metallic
Pendant lamps crafted from metals like pewter or brushed nickel are very effective and popular for kitchen use. They have a sleek appearance that impresses without overpowering and such lamps can usually blend in with almost any décor they are added to.
This type of modern pendant light is often best grouped in pairs, or even in threes, to provide excellent task lighting over a kitchen island or a dining table.
If a metal look appeals to you for kitchen use, with a little careful shopping around you should be able to find just the right shade to match the rest of the items in the kitchen, most important if you have a number of stainless steel appliances, which many modern kitchens do these days.
Pendant Lighting as Decor
Pendant lamps in the kitchen do not have to be just the supporting players, they can also be used as the focal point for overall décor. Tiffany style modern pendant lamps are excellent for this purpose and can add an extra dimension of beauty to a contemporary kitchen that might otherwise be rather plain and cold.
Another attractive option for kitchen use are modern pendant lamps that feature hand blown glass shades. These shades can be found in all kinds of interesting shapes, sizes and colors that can easily be matched to other décor elements in the room, such as that striking granite counter top or the color of the kitchen cabinets in the room.
Hanging Tips
One of the questions that homeowners ask most frequently when purchasing pendant lamps for use in the kitchen is what is the optimum height for them to be hung at in order to be most functional and attractive.
The most important thing is that they not interfere with either the use of the counter or dining space below them or the line of sight of those working or eating below them.
Although it will vary from kitchen to kitchen a good standard rule of thumb to follow is to hang the light about 36 inches above a counter top or table and about 5 ½ feet above the floor. This placement allows the light to illuminate the space effectively without impeding the activity below.
If the intention of the homeowner is to use two or more modern pendant lamps together to illuminate a larger kitchen counter top or kitchen island it is also important that they be evenly placed to avoid creating a disjointed look. Taking the time to measure out the optimum distance between them properly before they are hung is certainly an hour or so well spent.
Interested in this design idea but need a little inspiration? Check out some of the examples below.