How to Style Pendant Lights in Your Kitchen

Many kitchens incorporate under-cabinet spotlights which make convenient task lighting but add little aesthetic value and can be glaringly bright. For hosting, entertaining, and general use, pendant lights are a much more pleasing alternative.

So how do you incorporate ceiling pendant lights in your kitchen?

Work With Your Ceilings

Hanging pendants from your kitchen ceiling is a wonderful way to add a feature to the upper half of your kitchen. Strategically place your pendants to highlight your favourite parts of your kitchen. Pendant lights for kitchens are often placed above a central island, illuminating the features beneath them. When fitting pendant lights for kitchen islands, ensure they don't hang too low to provide adequate clearance between taps, seating, and other moving objects.

If you live in a home with high ceilings, feature pendants can be used to fill the space above your kitchen islands, drawing the eyes upwards. This can make the room look even larger, especially when reflective pendant lights are used.

Above: From The Anvil's metal Hammered Copper Hockley ceiling pendant lights.

Soften Your Space

Most kitchens are linear, with straight edges, parallel cabinets, and 90-degree edges. While this look can sometimes appear harsh, it can be softened by introducing some curves in the form of pendant lighting. The contrasting shape will create a dynamic focal point which can be coordinated throughout your home with the use of matching door, window, and cabinet hardware.

For example, From The Anvil's Hammered Nickel Brindley pendant lights can be paired with their matching Polished Nickel Hammered Mushroom cabinet knobs and window handles to tie the small details of the room together.

Above: a series of From The Anvil's Slate Grey Hammered Nickel ceiling pendant lights hung above a kitchen table.

Experiment With Colour

In many modern homes, walls, floors, and ceilings tend to be painted subdued and neutral colours. This makes your pendant lighting an excellent opportunity to experiment with colour. Bold painted pendants will bring vibrance to your home and can be coordinated with your soft furnishings like cushions, throws, and rugs. We currently offer From The Anvil's ceiling pendant lights in 12 pre-set Welsh countryside inspired colours, but because each pendant light is made-to-order, you can select any colour you desire for your light. Click here to learn more about our bespoke service.

Alternatively, if you have a bright or bold interior, you may want to opt for a more neutral pendant. In this instance, you can leave your pendant unpainted, allowing the natural shine and beauty of the metal to shine through. This look is especially fetching with From The Anvil's Aged Brass and Burnished ceiling pendant lights which have unique markings on their surface to bring a subtle intrigue to any space.

Above: From The Anvil's Burnished Harborne ceiling pendant light hung in a contemporary interior.

Mixing Metals

One of the best ways to create a visually stimulating design is by mixing a variety of materials within a single space. High-sheen Smooth pendants can be paired with raw woods like oak or chestnut to create a juxtaposition of reflective and matt textures. On the other hand, Hammered pendants with their distinctive patterned interiors can be combined with smooth materials like quartz or marble.