Pendant Lighting Buying Guide

Basic tips for buying a pendant light

Task or ambient? Single or multiple? Traditional, transitional, or contemporary? These are just a few of the questions you'll need to answer as you shop for pendant lights at iPendantLighting.com. Here are some tips that will help you determine the type of pendant lighting that's best for your needs. Inverted and downlight A pendant light can take many forms, but its shade will direct light in one of two directions: up or down. Inverted pendant lights direct light upward, and downlight pendant lights direct it downward. Inverted vs. downlight isn't just a matter of shade style. Inverted pendant lighting is typically more diffuse, ambient, and free of glare. Downlight pendants provide more concentrated light and are most often used for task illumination, accent lighting, and island lighting. Mini pendants

Mini pendant lights differ from standard pendants in size, wattage, and use of one rather than multiple light bulbs (though some standard-sized pendants also use just one bulb). The width of mini pendant shades generally ranges from 4 or 5 inches up to 11 or 12 inches. Mini pendants typically require a single 40- to 60-watt bulb, though some of our mini pendants use a 100-watt bulb.

Single or multiple

A single pendant light can be ideal for illuminating a work space or drawing attention to a piece of art or favorite decor feature. Arranging multiple pendant lights in a circle, a line, or on a track is often done to emphasize a room section, form a transition point from one area to another, or create richer, more ambient lighting in a dining area.

Traditional, transitional, or contemporary

Whether you're decorating a rustic hunting lodge or a modern dining room, there's a pendant light style that's perfect for your space. Stylistic diversity is one of the most appealing things about pendant lighting. Our selection can be grouped into traditional, transitional, and contemporary pendant lights, but it also includes Asian, rustic, Victorian, and Tiffany pendant lights.

Pendant lights often make for unexpected conversation pieces, especially if they have unusual features, such as an Asian pendant light made with bamboo and rice paper or a rustic pendant light that uses antlers in its lodge-style design. Don't confine yourself to interior decorating; outdoor pendant lights can transform a patio or front porch area into a charming, warmly lit spot for gathering with friends and family.

For more information on decorating with pendant lights, see our Pendant Lighting Overview.