Pendant lights over kitchen sinks is a creative, stylish way to light a very important area in the kitchen where correct lighting is crucial. Check out this blog for tips and tricks to getting it right.
Depending on the pendant's design, you can have a glare-free focused downwards beam, general all-around lighting or adjustable directional lights. You can hang a single pendant directly over the sink or use multiple pendant lights in a row across the sink and adjacent countertops. You can have a pendant over the sink whether your sink has a backsplash, is in the middle of a kitchen island or in front of a window.
There are many pendants to choose from. Here are some expert tips to choosing the right pendant and how to hang it the right way.
Call Autumn Morrison, residential lighting designer, to find the right light for you (m) 07943469433 or send a message here.
1. Check the ceiling height
If you have high ceilings, use pendant lights that have a vertical, upwards orientation. Look for lights where the body is long & tall or small & tall - what's important is that the pendants aren't horizontal.
Short ceilings don't mean you can't have a pendant. In fact, a pendant light in a room with a short ceiling can add a valuable layer of light that lifts the ceiling visually. Best to choose a small pendant that illuminates the ceiling as well as the sink. This will create a sense of volume and height despite limited space.
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| You can see how good vertical pendants look with high ceilings in the image above. The long, slender pendants fill the void between the sink and ceiling beautifully. Check out the chic, vertical Flow pendant light by Estiluz, available in 3 finishes and 3 lengths as well as recessed or surface mounted, to achieve a similar effect. |
2. Check for ceiling obstructions
Sounds obvious, but I can't tell you how many times I've been on-site only to be surprised that a pendant that's been discussed won't work due to physical reasons such as beams, posts or sky lights.
There are ways around these obstructions, but it takes a lot more care and attention to detail then it does with standard ceilings.
Bring in a lighting expert to help you choose the best light for tricky ceilings. Call or contact Autumn Morrison to show you options (m) 079434469433
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| The beam above the ceiling (and the void) means that there is limited space to hang a light. This iconic light, designed in the 1920's in Paris called Le Gras N312, works perfectly thanks to the adjustable nature of the arms and rods allowing you to angle the light where needed, despite where the pendant is mounted. |
3. Sloped ceilings? Use compatible pendants
Sometimes ceilings aren't flat. This certainly doesn't mean you can't have a beautiful pendant. It just means that more care and research is needed to figure out the best way to power and hang a pendant light (or two).
There are pendants that have flexible mounting which works with slopes and awkward angles - call or contact Autumn to find slope ceiling pendant light options (m) 07943469433
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| In this example, the Tube linear pendants help create a beautiful visual anchor between the work top and vaulted ceiling with beams going in different directions. The canopies are hidden behind the beams out of view. |
4. Check the width of the sink
When choosing your pendant light(s) for over your sink, make sure they're not wider than the sink itself. They won't look right and you may bang your head against them, depending on how high you hang them. Pick your sink and countertop before your pendant lights.
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| In this example, the pendant lights are chunky (perfect match for the rustic industrial chic vibe) but they don't overwhelm the space, even though the sink is on the smaller side. This is because the diameter is about half of the width of the counter top. The Zile pendant light in black would work beautifully here (and possibly in your kitchen as well - it's a 'take anywhere' simple kinda beauty). |
5. Consider shelving
You may have a shelf above your kitchen sink. You can still hang pendant lights as long as they clear the shelf with enough light to reach the sink. This will depend on the depth of the shelf and the design of the pendant.
Ask Autumn Morrison, residential lighting specialist, which pendants will work best with shelves (m) 07943469433 or send a message
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| These sweet pendants go perfectly with this charming kitchen. They also provide good lighting thanks to the wide beam spread that covers both the space below as well as the shelf with task lighting. The Platet pendant light would work wonderfully here. |
6. Recess the canopy if you can
I love recessed canopies when construction parameters allow. The clean lines of a recessed canopy on the ceiling surface reduces visual clutter and looks sleek and smart. There are many factors to consider when recessing a canopy but the effect is well worth it.
Call or contact Autumn to discuss which pendants have recessed canopies that might work for your project (m) 07943469433
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| The Highline linear pendant with recessed canopy demonstrates the clean ceiling effect you achieve when you hide the electrical gubbins within the ceiling. |
7. Use IP44 rated pendants if < 60 cm from water
The chances are that your pendant light will hang above the wet-listed restricted zone (see note below) but if your pendant is within the zone, the light must be rated IP44 or higher. Most pendants are IP20 but there are few stylish ones with IP rating for wet zones.
Any light fitting within 60 cm radius of possible contact with water must be rated IP44 or higher
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| I love this simple, classic pendant called 'Nut' by Bover Lighting for lighting kitchen sinks. It's rated IP54, which means that it's splash-proof, the shape is neutral and suits a wide range of kitchen schemes, comes in a few beautiful finishes and has a closed bottom to disperse the light as well as prevent glare. Dimmable LED. |
8. Consider cleaning and durability
There are a few key considerations when choosing a pendant light - how it looks, how much it costs, the light it produces and how it mounts but another important consideration is how to keep it clean and safe. Kitchen sinks can be high traffic areas and you may want to consider how to keep it clean and break-proof, depending on your lifestyle.
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| Glass is beautiful, and relatively easy to keep clean but sometimes, if you have a busy household, it might be an idea to explore alternative materials for your pendant light. This light, called Soft, has a silicone shade available in 3 finishes, is highly durable and break-proof and has a bottom diffuser for beautiful light dispersion. Dimmable LED and available in either IP20 or IP44 versions. |
9. Think outside the box
A linear pendant can work brilliantly over a kitchen sink task area. Linear pendants are slim, stylish and provide incredibly effective, even lighting. Linear pendants come in many different lengths and mounting methods. You're sure to find one to match your kitchen (or call Autumn at 07943469433 to find the right one for you).
Check out this blog on linear pendants for kitchens - some of which would work very well over kitchen sink task areas
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| I love this linear pendant light in this paired back chic silver-leaf kitchen. Every detail is essential, and the pendant plays into the brief perfectly. The Gallery linear pendant light by Rakumba would work gorgeously in a brass-toned kitchen. |
10. Work day and night
Here in the UK, we have long, bright summers but in the winter, we have many dark days. Find a pendant light that you can dim at night but that provides a punch of light during the day, when you want crisp, clean light.
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| The Flat pendant light by Vibia with indirect, dimmable LED provides plenty of light without any glare. This kind of lighting is great for dark days, cause you can't see where the light is coming from and gives you the illusion of natural light. |
11. Separate circuit from other lights
If you can, have your electrician put the pendant light(s) on a separate, dimmable circuit from the other lights. This way, you can control the pendant(s) independently from the downlights, under cabinet lights, etc. This will allow you to soften them at night to create a beautiful atmosphere with soft lighting and ramp them up during on a dark day when you need more light (see point 10 above).
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| There are many, many switches on the market these days. Push the boat out and get some switches and sockets that match your kitchen and make you happy! |
Here are some more images of pendant lights over kitchen sinks for inspiration:
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Call or contact Autumn Morrison, residential lighting designer, to find the perfect light for you (m) 07943469433.