A pendant over a table does two jobs. It lights the surface, and it is the one object everyone in the room looks at. Get the size and height right and it does both. Three numbers do most of the work.
The three numbers
- Height: 75-90 cm above the surface. Lighting makers and designers put the bottom of a pendant about 30-36 in (75-90 cm) above a dining table, and the same above a kitchen island counter. With a taller ceiling, go towards the top of that range; with a lower one, stay near the bottom.
- Width: half to two-thirds of the table. A single pendant reads in proportion at about half to two-thirds of the table’s width, and should be at least 30 cm (12 in) narrower than the table, measured on the shorter side of a rectangular one.
- Spacing: 60-90 cm apart. Two or more pendants sit about 60-90 cm (24-36 in) apart, centre to centre. Over an island, keep the outer ones about 45 cm (18 in) in from each end, so no one walks into them.
Our three pendants, measured
| U·048 | U·039 | U·044 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length × depth × height | 31 × 19 × 15 cm | 49 × 17 × 13 cm | 65 × 17 × 13 cm |
| Light | 2700K, 10 W, dimmable | 2700K, 8 W, dimmable | 2700K, 12 W, dimmable |
| Weight | 3.1 kg | 3.6 kg | 4.8 kg |
| Suspension | 2 m, adjustable on site | 2 m, adjustable on site | 2 m, adjustable on site |
| At its best | Kitchen island, bar, reading chair; in staggered pairs and trios | Dining table or hallway; with U·044 over a long table | Over a dining table, as one line from every seat |
Every U· pendant hides a diffuser inside, so the light source is never visible and the glow stays comfortable at eye level.
Worked examples
These apply the three numbers above to common tables. Measure your own table and check.
- Round or square table, 100 cm. Half to two-thirds of 100 cm is 50-67 cm. A U·039 (49 cm) sits at the lower end, a U·044 (65 cm) at the upper end.
- Small round table, 70 cm. Half to two-thirds is 35-47 cm, and staying 30 cm narrower than the table caps it at 40 cm. A single U·048 (31 cm) comes in just under, which keeps a small table open.
- Dining table, 200 × 100 cm. The linear U·044 (65 cm) on its own, or a U·039 and a U·044 in a row, their centres 60-90 cm apart. At 90 cm apart the pair spans about 1.5 m, well inside the table.
- Kitchen island, 180 cm. Two pendants, each about 45 cm in from its end, which puts them 90 cm apart. Two U·039 or two U·048.
- Kitchen island, 240 cm. Three U·048, the outer two about 45 cm in from the ends, which puts the centres 75 cm apart.
Height on the day
The 2 m suspension is adjusted on site, so the final height is set when the pendant is installed, not when you order. All U· pendants are wired into the mains, so the installation is done by a qualified electrician, following the wiring rules of your country. Hang the pendant from its suspension, never from the cable alone, and high enough above the table that no one can knock it.
Questions
How high should a pendant hang over a dining table?
About 75-90 cm (30-36 in) from the table top to the bottom of the pendant. Go higher with a taller ceiling.
How high should pendants hang over a kitchen island?
The same, about 75-90 cm (30-36 in) above the counter.
How far apart should two pendants be?
About 60-90 cm (24-36 in) between centres. Over an island, keep the outer pendants about 45 cm in from each end.
How many pendants over a kitchen island?
Two often suit a smaller island and three a larger one. A single linear pendant, like the U·044, is the other option.
Can I change the length of the suspension?
Yes. Every U· pendant hangs on a 2 m suspension, adjusted on site by the electrician.
Can I dim a U· pendant?
Yes. All U· pendants are dimmable. Use a dimmer suitable for LED lighting, and ask us if you are not sure which.
Sources Schoolhouse, choosing the right size chandelier or pendant · Hammerton, selecting lights that fit your dining table · Visual Comfort, pendant height over a kitchen island · This Old House, all about pendant lights
