Tag Archives: kitchen

How to Pick the Perfect Pendant for Your Kitchen Island

Why settle for blasé, run-of-the-mill pendant lights when you can have your pick of fresh and exciting fixtures to really bring your kitchen to life? With islands becoming almost second nature to kitchen remodels, pendant lighting is also becoming equally important to the design process. These five types of pendant lighting can really bring style and flare to your kitchen and what would normally be a fairly monotonous environment. Liven up your island space with some of these pendant ideas.

Colorful

Colored pendants can be tricky. You want to use just the right pop of color without overdoing it and causing it to look tacky. If you use a lot of whites or neutral colors in your kitchen, then colored pendants can be just what you need. Use them for an exotic edge on a normally traditional design idea.

Clear Glass

Clear glass pendants can do just the opposite. They add an elegant touch to an already busy kitchen area. They are also great for smaller spaced kitchens, as you can see through them, causing them not to block anything out of view. Hand-blown are going to be the best quality and will be sure to give a modern, yet stylish feel to your kitchen.

Oversized

Going big on overhead pendants can be scary, but they definitely have a huge impact on a space. They can really liven up an otherwise minimalistic area. Oversized pendants can be perfect for the added touch and dramatic accent piece that you’re looking for in a wide-open kitchen. The appearance that they add is unlike anything you’ll see.

Industrial

If you’re looking for an edgy feel for your kitchen space, industrial pendants are the way to go. They have a rough quality to them that can really transform the island area. Go with stainless for a crisp, clean look or a rustic black version for a more serious approach. Either way, industrial pendants will give a sculptured finish to your kitchen vibe.

Chandeliers

Chandeliers in a kitchen can be pretty unexpected, but that’s what makes them exciting. They are dramatic and really add life to a room. If you’re looking to soften up all of the hard lines and surfaces in your kitchen, then chandeliers are the right choice for you. They give your kitchen a glamorous touch and feel. The shine and sparkle can be very refreshing for your island décor.

Dress Up Any Space With a Dramatic Chandelier

Chandeliers can take any room from simple and casual to being the most dramatic room in the house! Whether you want to take an already decorated room and add some pizzazz to it, or are starting from scratch and decorating a room in efforts to make it dramatic, chandeliers are the way to go.

Not only are chandeliers beautiful and dramatic statement pieces but they are also functional, adding necessary light to any space. A lot of people have a hard time deciding what room to put a chandelier in. Gone are the days where the only room that can have a chandelier is the dining room. With the wide variety of shapes, styles and sizes of chandeliers, the answer is simple – any room! Below is a list of some of the most common and uncommon spaces to put a chandelier:

• Kitchen – A fun chandelier in your kitchen’s style placed over the kitchen table is perfect for style and lighting.

• Bathroom – Add a small chandelier that fits the space (no matter how small) but also pumps up the drama! Think bright, sparkly or quirky. The bathroom is a great space to have fun and go for something outside the box.

• Dining Room – The dining room is the most common room to install a chandelier because it is typically the most formal room in a home. Stick with your home’s style when choosing your dining room chandelier, but remember to go bold and pick something that will make a statement.

• Bedroom – A chandelier can be installed over the bed, or over any reading/desk area your bedroom may have. A chandelier will take any ordinary reading/desk area to the next level by increasing the drama and adding some useful lighting as well.

• Laundry room – Not the most common space to add a chandelier, but the laundry room is often forgotten; by adding a small chandelier you can create drama in a room where drama is most likely lacking.

By adding an unexpected chandelier into a typically casual space such as the bedroom or laundry room, you can ensure that guests will be impressed by your home’s style and décor! On the other hand, by adding a spectacular chandelier into formal yet drab room such as the dining room, you can up the style of both that room, and the surrounding rooms! Chandeliers are one of the best additions for any homeowner that is looking to make an impact change without making tons of little changes around their living space.

Kitchen Lighting 101

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house in regards to lighting. It is home to many activities that require task and general lighting. Your plan should include enough light to see into cabinets, drawers and pantries, adequate task lighting over sinks, countertops and islands and ample lighting over a table for dining and family activities.

When it comes to kitchens, the possibilities are endless and can include chandeliers, wall sconces, under-cabinet lights, recessed or track lights, ceiling fans and pendants. Soffits, ceilings or toe kick areas of the cabinets or island can be lit for design style or as a soft light at night. Because there are a variety of activities that tend to take place in a kitchen, dimmers are a nice addition to your lighting plan.

TIP: The darker the surfaces of the countertops, walls and floors, the more wattage you need. Always plan for more light than you think you need and use dimmers or extra switches to adjust later on.

If I hang pendants above a kitchen island, how high should they be?

Pendants or fixtures that hang above the island or bar should be high enough so that all members of the household can look across the island or bar without their vision obstructed by the fixtures. The exact height depends on your personal preference. We recommend being home when the pendants are installed to ensure the perfect install.