Pendant lights are a great way to create a focal point in a room and there are some exquisite designs to choose from. Not only are they a great source of ambient light but they are incredibly expressive fixtures too that can create a unique atmosphere and mood for you and your guests.
Article updated 19th December 2023.
This modern pendant collection by Lodes is provided by LightCo and features a dazzling array of hanging glass pendant concepts. They can be arranged in different combinations, enabling users to find the perfect aesthetic for their living room or dining room.
These models feature Bohemian black crystal and chrome connections, creating a simple elegance that belies the full illumination the collection provides. A top ceiling lighting choice for homes that doesn’t compromise between fashion and function.
The Meshmatic Chandelier from Space Furniture is the work of Rick Tegelaar, one of the leading modern pendant lighting designers today. Its triple-layered mesh structure is eloquent and undulating, and its striking aesthetics are underpinned by the gentle illumination the mesh provides. A warm and welcoming choice for any living room, taking up less space than floor lamps while offering the same understated glow.
This LED pendant from supplier TecLED is carved from 100% Tasmanian oak and offers a refreshing, warming contrast to the harshness that kitchen LEDs often suffer from. It proves that kitchen ceiling lighting doesn't have to be purely utilitarian - it can hang and augment the room's aesthetics with an attractive wooden design to match cupboards and cooking utensils.
Of course, it's not limited to kitchen use. A working studio could benefit from an LED pendant, as could a conservatory. This LED pendant enhances any room it's deployed in.
The Sound Bil5 from Special Lights comes in a regal yet understated brushed gold. It's a superb choice for a kitchen and is the work of Italian lighting designer Giovanni Batista Gianola - think pasta and fine wine by warm, romantic light on summer evenings. The model comes with a dimming option to help create just such an ambience.
These come with an LED pendant option and are available in multiple sizes, so can be appropriate for any room. The brushed gold finish is right at home in the kitchen, but a study or conservatory could also benefit from this beautiful hanging light. A stylish and unabashedly modern pendant light.
Related article - 7 glorious gold pendant lights
The Teamwork Acoustic Pendant is a sleek and modern lighting solution that blends cutting-edge LED technology with acoustic benefits to enhance the workplace environment. This pendant lamp, crafted from spun aluminium, features a simple yet elegant circular design that complements any office interior. The inclusion of a fabric insert, seamlessly integrated without visible fixings, adds a touch of sophistication and is customisable with a palette of 22 colours to match varying décor preferences.
The Teamwork Pendant is engineered to foster a productive, creative, and wellness-focused atmosphere. It achieves this by employing LED lighting that is both advanced and adjustable, providing illumination that is conducive to work without causing strain or discomfort. Users have the option to select lighting that directs downwards or both upwards and downwards, ensuring versatility to meet different lighting needs.
Recognised for its exceptional design, the Teamwork Pendant was honoured with the ‘Good Design Award’ in July 2019, a testament to its design excellence within the Product Design - Furniture and Lighting category.
The IO Flute Pendant Light is a testament to minimalist design and functional elegance. With its compact dimensions, measuring 140mm in width and 420mm in length, this pendant light is a versatile addition to any interior space. Its slender form factor is reminiscent of a flute, hence its name, and it can serve as a subtle focal point whether hung individually or grouped in clusters for a more dramatic effect.
This pendant light's design allows it to integrate seamlessly into various settings, from modern kitchens to cosy dining areas where soft lighting is needed for the dining table or even as accent lighting in commercial spaces. Its size makes it particularly suitable for intimate areas where larger pendants would overwhelm the space.
Customers can choose between a natural finish, which showcases the beauty of the materials and complements organic interiors, or opt for black tip fins, adding a striking contrast that can enhance contemporary decor schemes. The black-tipped version adds a graphic element to the light, making it stand out and draw the eye.
The Hīnaki Pendant Light, is a luminary with both a story and a statement. Initially conceptualised in 1995, it marks designer David Trubridge's maiden voyage into the realm of lighting design, drawing inspiration from the traditional Maori fish traps known as hīnaki. These traps, historically crafted from woven vines, are not only utilitarian but are often celebrated for their intricate and stunning forms.
This pendant light is a modern homage to that ancient craft, reimagined through the lens of contemporary design. The light's structure is reminiscent of the woven patterns found in hīnaki traps, allowing light to escape through its geometric openings and cast a complex array of shadows, adding depth and texture to any interior space.
Offered in three distinct sizes, this pendant light can accommodate various spatial dimensions and stylistic preferences. Further personalisation is possible with a selection of 12 standard colour options, and custom colours are available upon request to perfectly match any decor.
The Typha Pendant Light by Il Fanale, as shown in the image, embodies the grace of the natural world with its design inspired by the Typha Latifolia, an aquatic plant known for its distinctive, ear-like appearance. This indoor lighting fixture brings the serene beauty of nature into the architectural space, combining organic inspiration with modern design.
Each light in the collection boasts a slender brass stem, reminiscent of the Typha's stalk, which then opens up to an LED light source encapsulated within a tubular frosted glass. The glass, acting like the plant's flowering spike, diffuses the light beautifully, creating a soft illumination that mimics the calm, dappled light one might find in a natural setting.
The Typha Pendant Light measures H190 x W35 cm, making it a substantial yet elegantly proportioned piece that can serve as a central focus or an ambient complement in a room. Available in configurations of one, three, or six-light modules, this light can be tailored to the specific lighting needs and desired visual impact of any space.
The Knot pendant light collection presents a captivating interplay of materials, skillfully juxtaposing the rough texture of natural fibre cords with the sleek, transparent quality of hand-blown glass. The design creates an engaging contrast that is both pronounced and sophisticated, speaking to a refined aesthetic that appreciates the balance of rustic and polished elements.
The full-bodied glass globes, available in various shapes and sizes, are intriguingly deformed by the robust cords. These cords, which appear to cinch the glass, creating a unique inward pull at the bottom, deliver a playful yet elegant visual effect reminiscent of soft plasticity.
Ensconced within the glass is an efficient LED light source, topped with a refined metal hood that echoes the finesse of the cord's end cap. This metallic detail adds a touch of luxury to the design and provides a visual counterpoint to the cord's organic feel.
The 1965 Pendant by Paavo Tynell is a piece steeped in history and artistry, designed in 1947 for the Finland House in New York. This pendant is an authentic Tynell creation, with a distinctive triangular perforation pattern that casts a delicate spread of light, creating a distinctive and direct visual impact on the space it occupies.
Tynell’s craftsmanship shines through the brass material, which houses the frosted glass diffuser. The diffuser softens the light to a warm, ambient glow, ensuring a tranquil atmosphere. The 1965 Pendant is a testament to Tynell's legacy in design, offering a slice of Finnish design history and a functional piece that remains relevant in modern interiors.
The Molecola 8lt Pendant Light is designed with intention and specificity. The piece measures H15 x Ø99.4cm and supports a flexible drop of up to 102cm. Crafted with a focus on materiality, the light is offered in two finishes. The pre-aged brass carries a depth that suggests a storied past, while the natural brass finish has the clarity and shine of modern craftsmanship.
This pendant light, part of the Molecola collection, is notable for its radial arrangement of lamps which creates a balanced spread of light. The fixture's design, with precise dimensions and careful finish options, makes it a deliberate choice for spaces that call for thoughtful lighting solutions.
The TecLED industrial pendant light, showcases a bold red colour that brings a vibrant industrial edge to any setting. It harnesses LED technology, known for its energy efficiency and powerful lighting.
The pendant measures 400mm in diameter, finished with a high gloss that accentuates its contemporary design. It is complemented by a 150cm cord that matches the lamp's vivid hue, ensuring design continuity and visual appeal. These pendants are designed to be versatile, fitting seamlessly into both commercial spaces and home environments.
With the availability of various globe options, the TecLED pendant can be customised to meet specific lighting requirements, whether it's to cast a broad glow over a dining area or for task lighting light on a workspace.
Pendant light costs vary widely depending on design, material, and brand, ranging from as little as $300 to over $2000 or more for high-end or custom designs.
To install a pendant light, first, turn off the power. Mount the bracket to the ceiling box, connect the wires from the light to the ceiling, secure the pendant to the bracket, and then add the bulb and shade. It's recommended to hire a qualified electrician for installation to ensure safety and compliance with local building codes.
You can buy pendant lights online, at lighting showrooms, home improvement shops , and directly through interior designers.
The best modern pendant lighting options don't just light up a room when they're switched on. They enhance a room's aesthetics even in the middle of the day. Whether it's an elegant hanging glass pendant light or a wide, metallic fixture, there’ll be a design that suits your tastes and creates an atmosphere that the entire household will enjoy.