The trend of having an island or peninsula in the kitchen is rapidly increasing. You almost always see them in newer homes; and with this trend comes the light fixtures that compliment: pendant lights. By definition, a pendant is a lone light fixture that is suspended from the ceiling with cord or chain. Instead of choosing the same, builder-grade pendant as every other home on the block, choose something that will do much more than just provide light , but that will turn heads when people step foot in your kitchen.

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Get the Job Done

A great design is aesthetically pleasing but also is practical; and a great designer will design with that in mind. Function is the first thing you should look for when selecting the perfect pendant. Consider how much light the fixtures need to give off. Consider other lighting in the room. Are the pendants serving as your main source of light or are they simply there for looks? You can usually tell by asking yourself "is the room bright enough without the light from the pendants?" If this is the case, you are looking for a fixture with low wattage; something that will provide accent light. If you do in-fact need something more powerful, look for a higher wattage fixture and consider using a larger quantity of lights as we will discuss in the next section.

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Size

What will your island be used for? How big is it? Both of these things play roles in selecting how many pendants you'll need and what size they are. The rule of threes is always a safe bet when selecting a number of pendants. As I have said before, the number three is proven to be a more attractive number then any other. A grouping of three provides depth and draws their eyes in. However, there is nothing wrong with using 4-5 smaller fixtures if you have a larger island. Likewise, 2, larger pendants might fill up the space perfectly as well. Make sure you do something that works for your space, every space is different so make sure you design based on your unique kitchen.

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Style

This is a common criteria when it comes to selecting anything for your home. Whether it is a candle at Target or a $5,000 sofa, you should always consider the style you are portraying in the room. If you don't yet know your style, there are a number or different tests you can take to determine what it is! Or, ask me in the comments, I'd love to help you figure it out! Once you know your style, simply search for pendants that are that style. Be strict about this! You may love farmhouse-style pendants but have a traditional home. Mixing these two is not going to work well in the picture overall!