Pendant lights over a kitchen island give focused task light and a strong design accent, but they only look right when they are evenly spaced and hung at the right height. This calculator works out the spacing, the clearances and the cord length.
Even spacing
The simplest balanced layout divides the island into equal zones, one per pendant, and hangs each pendant in the center of its zone:
- center-to-center spacing = island length ÷ number of pendants;
- first pendant at half that spacing from each end.
Three pendants over a 96 in island: 96 ÷ 3 = 32 in apart, and 16 in from each end.
Gaps and number of pendants
Check the gap between shades: spacing minus pendant diameter.
- Under about 6 in, the pendants look crowded; choose fewer or smaller ones.
- Over about 36 in, they look sparse; add one or choose larger shades.
- Keep the outer edge of the end pendants at least 6 in inside the island ends.
As a rule of thumb:
| Island length | Pendants |
|---|---|
| up to 6 ft | 1 large or 2 medium |
| 6 to 8 ft | 2 or 3 |
| over 8 ft | 3 or more, or a linear fixture |
Odd numbers are often preferred because they put a light in the center.
Hanging height
Hang the bottom of the pendants 30 to 36 in above the countertop. With a 36 in counter, that is 66 to 72 in from the floor. Go to the higher end if tall people work at the island or if the shades block the view across the kitchen.
Cord or rod length
drop = ceiling height − counter height − clearance − pendant height
With a 9 ft ceiling (108 in), a 36 in counter, 33 in of clearance and a 14 in shade, the drop is 25 in. Many pendants come with an adjustable cord; rods may need to be cut or ordered in a set length.
Electrical tips
Pendants over an island need a junction box for each light, or a canopy that holds several. Put them on a dimmer and choose bulbs of about 2700 to 3000 K for warm, flattering light. Wiring should follow local codes; hire an electrician if new boxes are needed.