How high should you hang a light?

Too high, a pendant light gives poor light; too low, it gets in the way. Here are simple guidelines so you never have to hesitate again.

Above a dining table

Leave around 70 to 85 cm between the tabletop and the bottom of the light. Low enough to create a convivial pool of light, high enough not to block the view between guests.

Above a kitchen island

Allow 75 to 90 cm above the worktop. For a long island, line up two or three small pendant lights rather than a single one.

In an entrance hall or hallway

Keep at least 2.10 m of clear headroom beneath the light so you can move around without a second thought. Under a high ceiling, a long pendant light dresses the space beautifully.

In a stairwell

This is the perfect spot for a statement piece: a cascading pendant light can be adjusted so that its lowest point stays out of reach from the stairs.

General rule for ceilings under 2.50 m

In a standard living space, the bottom of a pendant light usually sits around 2 m from the floor, except above furniture, where it can hang lower.

If in doubt, set the height once the furniture is in place and look at the effect in the evening with the light on: that is the best judge.