Along with coordinating finishes in your space, you also want to consider the lighting’s purpose—task or ambient lighting—and size in mind. From modern to farmhouse, we researched the best pendant lights for every aesthetic and budget, considering their size, finish, brightness, and ease of installation. Here are the best pendant lights on the market. The lamp’s shade is made up of two parts—a steel ellipse that matches the lamp’s base and a metal shade that fans out. This shade is relatively short, so it exposes the bulb underneath it, adding yet another geometric element into the mix. The fixture is crafted entirely from steel and is offered in three sleek finishes—solid brass, solid silver, or black and brass. The pendant is damp-rated as well, meaning it’s as suited for bathrooms as it is a kitchen or bedroom. Price at time of publish: $66 The light is made with a brass finish and a frosted white shade that’ll work well with any design aesthetic. Plus, the lightweight design comes with a lightbulb and is sloped ceiling adaptable, so you won’t have to worry about installation—just be sure to put it in a dry location like a kitchen or bedroom. The lights are crafted from metal, so they feel durable and look industrial. Plus, their two-toned palette lends them a kind of versatile warmth. Since they’re so simple, they should play well with a variety of decor schemes, and they’re sure to look particularly great when paired with other black accents. Price at time of publish: $53 The pendant’s base is crafted from plated metal, which is coated with an oiled bronze finish for an antique look. Take a closer look at this metal, and you’ll notice that ornate leaves have been carved into it, only furthering its vintage appeal. The lamp’s shade is crafted from cloudy milk glass—an opaque material that promises to spread light throughout your space. This cloudiness makes the lamp a great pick for rooms where you crave diffused, ambient light, like in a bedroom or living room. Though professional installation is required, the lighting comes with a mounting plate and pole kit, so you’ll have everything you need to set it up. Price at time of publish: $358 This pendant set would be especially attractive over a kitchen island or long dining table. “Island chandeliers tend to be wider and narrower to spread light across more rectangular shaped areas,” says Johnson. “They also create visual interest that reinforces the home style and decor, and are a natural focal point that draws the eye to the kitchen island, which is oftentimes the heart of day-to-day activity in the home.” This light will demand a fair amount of space in your kitchen. But since it’s designed to replace four different pendant lights, it ends up being a pretty space-efficient pick that’ll illuminate your kitchen or dining room with ease. Price at time of publish: $159 Since the light’s globe is relatively opaque, it should disperse ambient light throughout your space. It’s dimmable, however, so you can choose how much lighting you want in the space. Hang two in your bathroom to frame your vanity, or simply hang one in the corner of your space—with a light this versatile, it’s pretty hard to go wrong. Price at time of publish: $218 The lamp features a glass shade that works with a variety of design aesthetics, from industrial to transitional and beyond. Plus, it’s designed with an on/off switch that’s easy to use, especially once you’re comfortable in bed. Price at time of publish: $89 The light is offered in two finishes, black and khaki, and is made with a twisted cord design that’ll add extra style to your space. It should be noted, however, that both the matching swinger hooks and 2.25-inch fitter will have to be purchased separately—there’s a matching option, but the design also leaves room to choose any shade style of your choosing. Price at time of publish: $189 The hardwired light includes five rod options, making the light suitable for three different ceiling heights. Plus, it’s damp UL listed, meaning it’s suitable for bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens as well as bathrooms. The budget-friendly lamp is offered in two colors—black and white. Whether you’re designing a living room, bedroom, or at-home office, the versatile piece will add a warm touch of style to your space. Plus, each light comes with one light bulb, so it’ll be ready to use. Price at time of publish: $70 The lamp is crafted from woven rattan, and its long dome shade promises to provide a blend of targeted and ambient light. This design makes the light a great pick for a variety of different rooms, and its gentle palette makes it an even more versatile option. Pair the piece with vibrant prints to make it feel a little more bohemian, or use it to add a welcome dose of texture to an otherwise minimalist space. Price at time of publish: $80 In addition to providing task light for the kitchen area, island chandeliers add a “wow factor” to any home’s decor, Johnson notes. And remember that some pendant light cords are adjustable, so you may be looking at a length range rather than one specific length.
Style
There are all kinds of pendant lights out there, and they come in different shapes, materials, and styles. All that variety may sound overwhelming, but it’s actually great news: it means you can reliably find a pendant light that’ll suit your space. Pendant lights can also be hung in multiples. “Shades of Light sells hardware pieces that allow you to hang multiple fixtures from a single junction box,” says Johnson. “These pendant adapters allow for more artistic expression in a space.”
Plug-in vs. Hardwired
Some pendant lights can plug into a nearby outlet, but many others need to be hardwired. If you’re looking for a lower-maintenance (or more temporary) option, you may want to choose a plug-in pendant light. If you don’t mind the possibility of a more involved install, either option should do.
Water-Friendliness
If you’re planning to install a pendant light in your bathroom, on a covered porch, or in some other potentially wet spot, be sure to check whether it’s “damp location rated.” If it is, you should be able to install it in a damp location without issue.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Lindsey Lanquist, a seasoned lifestyle writer who has contributed to The Spruce since 2019. She’s covered a variety of home decor topics and understands what a difference a great product recommendation can make—that’s why she makes sure to recommend products that are sleek, reliable, and well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them. To make this list, she considered each pick’s size, style, plug type, and water-friendliness. Bryan Johnson, CEO of Shades of Light, also provided commentary for this roundup. Johnson offered expertise in what to look for when purchasing pendant lights and also offered installation tips.
