How many lights do I need for a kitchen island?

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For an average kitchen island of 3 by 6 feet (18 square feet), you would need lighting that delivers 540 Lumens of light. A long island of 3 by 12 feet (36 square feet) needs twice the number of lumens – 1,080 lumens.



Keeping this in consideration, how many lights should be on a kitchen island?

Above an island, three pendant lights create a more balanced space than two or four, though the deciding factor in following The Rule of Three is always proportion. In a kitchen with a small island and oversize pendant lights, two pendants would provide enough illumination and three would overwhelm the space.

Also, how many pendants do I need for a 5 foot island? According to Lightsonline.com You should “Space a pendant every 2 feet or so above a kitchen island and pick the right size of pendant to suit your island length. Small islands (4 to 5 feet long) can handle 1 large or 2 medium pendants.

One may also ask, how many pendant lights do I need for a 10 foot Island?

If you have a ten foot table and you want to place 4 pendants, the formula would be ten divided by five (four pendants plus one) and the recommended space would be 2 feet or 24 inches.

How many pendants do I need for a 7 foot island?

This is a perfect example of a 7-foot island with three pendants. You can tell because this island seats three people and each seat takes 2 feet with plenty of space in between. This ceiling is more in the 8'6" high range and allows for a slightly larger scaled pendant as these pendants are 10-inch in diameter.

25 Related Question Answers Found

Are pendant lights out of style?

Yes, but that's the beauty of pendant lights. While certain styles, shapes and designs will go out of style, there really is no limit as to the different designs that can be created. The chandelier has been around for hundreds of years because the hanging or suspended light is the best option in certain spaces.

How many pendant lights do I need for a 6 foot island?

Keep in mind, however, the mystical rule of three, which presumes that three is a more pleasing number, visually, than two or four. Accordingly, you would place three pendants above your 6-foot-long island.

Do pendant lights need to be centered over an island?

Space pendants at least two feet (24″) apart. If you choose one long pendant, it should be hung centered with the center point of the island and take up no more than ? or the island (see diagram in next section)

How long should an island light be?

Measure Up
The standard distance between a kitchen island and a pendant light placed above it is 30 to 36 inches. The exact distance can be customized to meet your individual needs but should be high enough that it does not obstruct the view of the tallest person to use the island.

How Big Should kitchen island pendants be?


Space a pendant every 2 feet or so above a kitchen island and pick the right size of pendant to suit your island length. Small islands (4 to 5 feet long) can handle 1 large or 2 medium pendants. Large islands (6 feet and longer) can handle 2 large or 3 medium pendants.

Should dining room and kitchen lights match?

The lighting over the island and lighting over the eating area should never match– unless they are parallel to each other and they are the only two hanging fixtures in the room.

How do I choose kitchen island pendant lights?

A general rule: The larger the area you want to light, the bigger the pendant light should be. A small pendant light is effective over a sink or desk area. Cluster small pendants or choose a pendant with three or more lights over a dining room table or kitchen island.

How wide should kitchen island be?

How Wide Should a Kitchen Island Be? Many islands are about 2 or 3 feet but if you need more counter space, seating space, etc., you can go a little larger. Approximately 7 feet is sometimes necessary if you want a cooktop or sink in the island.

How big of a light fixture do I need?

A general rule of thumb formula can be used to determine an appropriate diameter for ceiling fixtures. To determine this, measure the length and width of the room. Add those two numbers together and then convert the total into inches. So if your room is 10 feet by 12 feet, the ceiling fixture should be 22 inches wide.

How wide should pendant lights be over an island?


We recommend subtracting 12 inches from the width measurement of your island to get an idea of how wide your pendant should be. If your island measures 40 inches wide, then a pendant that's 28 inches wide should suit the space well.

How do you space pendant lights over an island?

For spacing your pendants over your island you first want to find the center point of the island. For a smaller island that only requires two pendants, you want to find the center point and then space the lights 30-36 inches apart with the widest part of the pendant being 30 inches from the other pendant.

How do I choose a hallway light?

Placing your lights
Place lights every eight feet, at least. Smaller lights with lower-wattage bulbs should be placed more frequently. Draw the eye down the hallway by placing a light close to either end. If you're choosing sconces, place them high on the wall to draw the eye up and make the space feel open.

How big should a pendant light be over a sink?

A pendant light serves an important purpose above a kitchen sink, acting as task lighting as 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; this height may be adjusted based on the heights of those using the sink most often.

How wide should a chandelier be over a dining room table?


Dining Room
We generally recommend that the width or diameter of the chandelier should be between 1/2 and 2/3 of the width of the dining table. For example, let's say that you have a dining table with 32 inches in width and 66 inches in length.

How do I stop my pendant lights from swinging?

Wrap a pendant light in bubble wrap if you have difficulty keeping it restrained in severe wind conditions. Shorten the length of the hanging chain to reduce the distance a pendant light can swing. Fold the chain and connect the links with strong plastic cable ties to adjust the length.

How do you hang a pendant light?

How to Install a Pendant Light Fixture
  1. Step 1: Remove the Existing Fixture. Most ceiling lights and chandeliers are mounted in the same way and are easy to replace with a pendant.
  2. Step 2: Mount the Pendant Light.
  3. Step 3: Make Electrical Connections.
  4. Step 4: Finish the Installation.