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how high should a pendant light be above a sink

by Prof. Alphonso Gaylord I Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Considerations for Pendant Light Height Over Bar
The rule of thumb for the placement of pendant lights over the kitchen sink or for placing hanging lights above tables and countertops is a range of 30 to 40 inches from the surface to be illuminated to the bottom of the fixture.

How far should a sink pendant light be from the wall?

Installing the fixture about 12 inches from the back wall will ensure fewer collisions. If your sink sits on an island, you won't whack your head if you place the pendant 18 inches from the edge of the countertop. Suspend the fixture too low, and you'll feel heat emanating from the bulbs.

How high should a pendant light be above a kitchen island?

Ideally, the bottom rims of your pendant lights should hang about 30 inches above the surface of your kitchen island counter. An alternate way to determine the proper height is to measure from the floor upward.

What is the purpose of a pendant light above the kitchen sink?

A pendant light above the kitchen sink is essentially a task light, designed to shed light on the project at hand: washing, cleaning and prepping.

How high should pendants hang from the ceiling?

As a general rule of thumb, if you have 8′ ceilings your pendants will be closer to 30″ while with taller ceilings you may want to hang them a bit higher. You also want to make sure that your lights aren’t blocking your view and that you can see over your counter without them being in your line of sight.

Where should pendant lights be placed over sink?

Most homeowners center the pendant over the sink, which works in most circumstances. Installing the fixture about 12 inches from the back wall will ensure fewer collisions. If your sink sits on an island, you won't whack your head if you place the pendant 18 inches from the edge of the countertop.

How high should a pendant light hang above a sink?

A pendant light above a kitchen sink serves an important purpose, acting as task lighting while you wash dishes or prepare food for the next meal. A typical height for a pendant light is 30 to 40 inches above the sink or counter, and this height may be adjusted based on the heights of those using the sink most often.

How high should countertop pendant lights be?

approximately 30-40 in.Generally speaking, with a standard, 36 in. tall countertop, you should hang your pendant lights approximately 30-40 in. above the surface.

Can you have a pendant light over a sink?

If your kitchen does not have enough ambient light, you may certainly use task lights for your kitchen sink. Our suggestion is to hang a pendant light over your kitchen sink covered in a glass or acrylic. Ensure that the light does not hang too close to the sink allowing for sufficient working space.

How low should a pendant light hang over the sink?

The rule of thumb for the placement of pendant lights over the kitchen sink or for placing hanging lights above tables and countertops is a range of 30 to 40 inches from the surface to be illuminated to the bottom of the fixture.

How high should a pendant be above a vanity?

Over vanities, the bottom of the pendant should fall above the top of the mirror. Pendants placed to the side of the vanity mirror can hang slightly lower, but should still be above head height.

How low should pendant lights hang over bathroom vanity?

Vanity lights come in all shapes and sizes, and just like your bathroom mirror, you want them at about eye level to evenly illuminate your face. When hanging vanity lights on the side of your mirror, 60” - 70” from the ground is a safe bet.

Should pendant lights be at eye level?

The middle of the shade of the pendant should hang at eye level or higher, close enough to the wall so no one will bump into it, but not touching the glass itself. For a foolproof result, simply hang your mirror and the lights so that the centreline is the same (66" being a good average eye-level).

How big should my pendant light be?

Pendants as ambient light To find an ideal height for a pendant, take the room's height, then multiply it by 2.5 and 3, which will give you 2 numbers. (For example, if your room has a 10-foot ceiling, you will get 25 and 30.) Those two numbers are a good range for pendant heights.

Should there be a light above a kitchen sink?

For a kitchen sink that has a window or open space above it, ceiling lighting is your best bet. The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends a basic recessed lighting fixture for over-the-sink lighting.

What size should pendant be over kitchen sink?

If the ceilings are higher, add 3 inches for each additional foot of height, so a 9-foot ceiling would mean the pendant should be 15-23 inches below the ceiling. Also, consider the size of the sink. At least six inches works for most sinks and up to 12 inches for large farmhouse sinks.

What kind of light goes over a sink?

Recessed Lighting Over a Kitchen Sink– A single recessed light is the most common type of light used over a sink. Recessed lights were installed over a sink as far back as the 70's but with a single incandescent bulb or a very hot spotlight.

How far should I hang a pendant over a sink?

Most homeowners center the pendant over the sink, which works in most circumstances. Installing the fixture about 12 inches from the back wall will ensure fewer collisions. If your sink sits on an island, you won't whack your head if you place the pendant 18 inches from the edge of the countertop.

How far from the ceiling should a pendant light be?

To qualify as a pendant light, the fixture must hang more than 6 inches from the ceiling. Whether you're suspending the light over your kitchen or bathroom sink, the fixture should provide plenty of illumination without getting in your way.

How low should I put my kitchen sink?

If no very tall individuals will use your kitchen sink, allow at least 30 inches between the bottom of your light fixture and the counter surface.

Can a glass pendant break?

Glass shades shatter on impact, so a low-hanging pendant could break if you accidentally knock the shade into your wall, window , mirror or another pendant lamp. If you install the fixture below eye level, you could bump the shade when you lean forward, setting the pendant in motion.

Pendant Over-Sink Lighting

The exact height for a pendant light over a kitchen sink depends on the size of the sink, the ceiling height and other factors. The writers at Briightens say that a pendant over a sink will provide plenty of light for the sink and adjacent work areas, but not so much elsewhere in the kitchen.

Types of Over-the-Sink Pendants

Mini pendant lights are a good option for kitchen sinks since they come in small sizes and shapes to fit in spots where larger lights can't. However, they may use different types of bulbs that don't provide the light you need at the sink.

What is the correct height for pendant lights to hang?

The general rule is that pendants should hang between 12 and 20 inches below the ceiling. Add 3 inches to the ceiling height for every additional foot. In a kitchen with a 9 foot ceiling, the pendant should hang between 15 and 23 inches below.

How low should pendant lights hang over sink?

A pendant light above a kitchen sink acts as task lighting while you wash dishes or prepare food for the next meal. A typical height for a pendant light is between 30 and 40 inches above the sink or counter, and this height may be adjusted based on the heights of those using the sink most often.

How high should pendant lights be hung over a breakfast bar?

The top of the light fixture should be between the counter and the bottom of the bar or island.

How far apart should pendant lights be over island?

Depending on the length of your island, the ideal distance between each island pendant light may be different. It’s a good idea to leave at least 30 inches of space between each pendant so that the lights don’t look cluttered.

How many pendants do I need for a 6 foot island?

One method you can use is to divide the area into equal parts. If your island is six feet long, you could illuminate it with a light every three feet for a total of two pendants, each one centered over half the space.

How do you measure pendant lights over an island?

To determine the number of pendants that you can fit over your kitchen island, dining room table, or bar-height counter, you divide the length of your table by the diameter of your desired pendant.

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